Packaging Development Manager

About Away

We believe travel makes us better. Launched in 2016 with one perfectly designed carry-on, we now offer a range of luggage and travel essentials for every journey. Together we create, innovate, and embark on this journey as a community of travelers, helping to make travel more seamless for everyone.

Join The Crew

We are hiring a Packaging Development Manager to join our Supply Chain & Operations team. This position reports to the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance, Packaging, & Personalization and takes Away further by ensuring every customer's first physical interaction with our brand-the unboxing experience-is premium, durable, and sustainable. You will bridge the gap between creative vision and industrial reality, managing the technical lifecycle of packaging from concept to delivery.

What you'll do as the Packaging Development Manager

• You'll build the technical framework for our packaging by translating creative and marketing recommendations into realistic, high-performance specifications

• You'll lead the execution of comprehensive project overviews, defining function, manufacturability, costs, and development lead times for every new initiative

• You'll ensure the construction and design of all packaging achieves design, function, and quality criteria while strictly adhering to cost and time objectives

• You'll partner with Wholesale teams to develop secondary and tertiary packaging that meets specific retailer compliance standards, including labeling, palletization, and routing guide requirements

• You'll validate all technical drawings and package specifications to ensure manufacturers have a crystal-clear roadmap for production

• You'll cultivate and manage a robust network of domestic and international suppliers, serving as the primary technical point of contact for external partners

• You'll implement and oversee rigorous package testing plans to ensure all materials meet specifications and survive the rigors of the e-commerce journey

• You'll drive innovation by scouting new packaging concepts, emerging technologies, and cutting-edge materials to support the Product Development team's roadmap

• You'll support continuous improvement initiatives focused on sustainability, manufacturing efficiency, and optimized "size-to-ship" dimensions to reduce our carbon footprint

Who you are

• You're a growing leader in the field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in packaging development and a bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related technical discipline.

• You're organized, capable of managing complex documentation and samples while articulating technical needs to all levels of the organization

• You're a systems-oriented communicator, capable of building and managing robust packaging document systems; you have a proven track record of organizing technical specifications, artwork versioning, and sample libraries to ensure global data integrity

• You're a specialist in consumer goods, ideally with a background in developing high-durability packaging specifically for e-commerce and online delivery environments

• You're globally minded, bringing experience (or a strong interest) in managing and navigating relationships with international packaging suppliers

• You're technically proficient with broad knowledge of packaging materials-including paper, corrugated, sustainable alternatives, and plastics-and the methods used to construct them

• You're an experienced problem-solver who remains flexible and composed while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment

• You're a collaborator at heart, with the ability to navigate competing priorities across Creative, Operations, and Product Development teams

• You're creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand

• You're agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment

• You're passionate about transforming travel for all (but that's a given!)

Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we'd still love to hear from you.

Who We Are

• We're travelers. Travel is about the journey - the transformative experiences and the growth each trip offers. All employees are encouraged to take time to get away through our variety of time away from work offerings.

• We're driven. The work we do matters and collectively drives impact. No matter the job title, everyone at Away is a meaningful contributor in unlocking our ever growing potential.

• We're supportive. We value the entirety of your life's journey, not just the milestones. You'll find an environment that celebrates balance, understanding that your personal passions and commitments outside of work, are threads of the same fabric that makes you unique.

What We Offer

Our total rewards are inclusive of both compensation and benefits. What we offer within a salary range is dependent on a number of factors, including scope and qualifications for the role, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to other Away employees. Salary and benefit offerings are reviewed during phone screenings to ensure alignment.

• Compensation: $110,000.00 - 130,000.00 annually

• This role is eligible to participate in Away's Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan, the terms of which are determined at the discretion of the company

• Equity Grant: commensurate with level determined at the discretion of the company

• Benefits Overview:

• Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings

• Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!)

• Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!)

• Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways

• Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities

How We Work

This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week. Our working hours are 9am-6pm et, but we embrace a common-sense approach to flexibility in the workplace. It's about being present, engaged, and balancing work with real-life needs.

Our Commitment

As a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Away seeks individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this opportunity. We're creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our customers are global and diverse, so we're building a team that is too. Through initiatives like our Employee Resource Groups, anti-racism training, and bias prevention initiatives, we're building the cultural foundation that gives people the emotional and physical space to bring their authentic selves to work.

EEOC Statement:

Away is dedicated to hiring a diverse workplace that celebrates an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability.

Away is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talent@awaytravel.com.