Packaging Program Manager

Packaging Program Manager

The Packaging Program Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of packaging deliverables for Cricut's New Product Introduction (NPI) programs. This role owns the coordination, planning, and governance of all packaging activities across cross-functional teams including Product Management, Marketing, Creative, Engineering, Operations, Sourcing, and Quality.

The Packaging Program Manager ensures packaging development stays aligned with overall product milestones, manages risks and dependencies, and drives packaging readiness for production. This role functions as the primary program owner for packaging strategy execution, packaging timelines, and packaging deliverables across global teams and suppliers.

Qualifications

Program Management

• Lead the overall packaging program for NPI projects from concept through mass production.
• Develop and maintain the packaging schedule aligned with hardware and GTM program timelines.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure all packaging deliverables meet project milestones.
• Identify program risks and implement mitigation plans to maintain schedule and quality targets.
• Prepare and lead packaging gate reviews and status updates with executive stakeholders.

Packaging Strategy & Planning

• Develop packaging briefs outlining requirements, product configurations, and packaging needs.
• Define packaging requirements for replacement parts and bundle reconfigurations.
• Coordinate SKU packaging configurations across channels and regional requirements.
• Maintain packaging BOMs and ensure alignment with product configurations.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with Product Management, Marketing, Creative, Engineering, Operations, Sourcing, and Quality teams to ensure packaging requirements are fully defined and executed.
• Coordinate artwork requests and maintain packaging artwork trackers.
• Ensure packaging requirements for display machines and retail programs are communicated to engineering and channel teams.

Production Readiness

• Ensure packaging components, documentation, and specifications are ready for production builds.
• Confirm readiness for packaging production with suppliers and internal teams.
• Ensure all packaging deliverables are uploaded and properly documented within Arena PLM.

Governance & Approvals

• Drive packaging approvals including packaging briefs, prototypes, and final packaging sign-off.
• Ensure required packaging approvals are completed prior to build readiness.
• Own packaging-related ECR/ECOs following mass production.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing packaging programs or packaging development within hardware or consumer products.
• Experience managing packaging development within NPI product development cycles.
• Strong cross-functional program management skills.
• Experience working with global suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Familiarity with PLM systems (Arena or similar).

Preferred

• Experience with consumer electronics or retail packaging programs.
• Understanding of packaging manufacturing processes and packaging materials.
• Experience managing packaging development across global teams.