Lead Packaging Specialist

At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.

As a Lead Packaging Specialist, you will be a driving force behind our packaging initiatives, blending technical expertise with strong relational skills to deliver exceptional results. Your purpose is to lead and inspire, guiding cross-functional teams towards innovative packaging solutions that meet regulatory requirements, drive sustainability, and exceed customer expectations. By fostering partnerships and leveraging your curiosity, you'll spearhead projects that shape the future of packaging in the e-commerce, direct-to-consumer, and global retail landscapes. Join us in redefining packaging excellence and making a lasting impact in the industry.

As part of our team, you'll play a pivotal role in upholding our packaging standards with meticulous attention to detail and compliance. This position isn't just about your current expertise; it's about your eagerness to learn and grow. With a supportive team by your side, you'll have ample opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills in the dynamic field of packaging, labeling, and innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate—and manage the communication of-- detailed packaging and labeling standards to L.L.Bean vendor’s and suppliers
• Drive and provide insight to identify, evaluate, and develop multiple packaging components and performance requirements

• Ensure vendors execute packaging and labeling technical standards and regulatory compliance requirements.  Maintain accurate documentation in support of regulatory requirements.
• Establish and monitor quality check processes to approve and validate vendors are adhering to packaging and labeling guidelines throughout the multiple production & product life cycle.

• Identify and execute opportunities to explore new concepts with current and new strategic suppliers
• Drives accurate and timely communication of all documentation related to packaging specifications and procedures are maintained through internal systems and vendor manual.
• Manage technical timelines, provide timely communication, raise issues and risks, and develop contingency to plan and prioritize work to ensure deadlines & business expectations are met.

• Leads the coordination of efforts for packaging and labeling department’s sustainability initiatives.
• Facilitates partnerships with department leadership and drives collaboration with cross-functional team members. Maintains strong awareness of the end-to-end process as it relates to all packaging and labeling functions.
• Highly skilled in influencing through strong communication skills. May be selected to advise on project/process work as assigned with a cross-functional project team
• Maintain knowledge of L.L.Bean’s product and Omni channels strategies to make informed packaging and labeling decisions and design choices

• Acts as and enables team to be subject matter experts to evaluate issues with existing packaging materials and flow path processes to incorporate corrective actions
• Leads strategic projects providing technical guidance with accountability for deliverables and milestones.

• Actively participate in cross functional meetings to provide insight with communicating trends and awareness of the end-to-end process as it relates to the packaging and labeling functions.  Enable team to be the best representative of packaging within the org.
• Develops expertise independently and shares both business acumen and cross functional knowledge in support of strategic planning across department
• Effectively represents Packaging in relationships with other functional areas Participates in projects that are med to high complexity & business priority.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Delegate work effectively and coach team members for improved performance.
• Further cross-functional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish performance objectives, goal setting, and monitor workload.
• Partner with leadership in talent and succession planning.

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work effectively.
• Resilience and ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Proficiency in relevant software and systems, including, but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, experience with PLM Systems (BOM/TechPack creation) or Warehouse Management Systems a plus
• A positive mindset and a genuine desire to learn
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• A BA/BS degree in Industrial Design, Packaging, or Product related field is preferred, but we're open to candidates with different educational paths.
• Product-Lifecycle understanding—specifically in the apparel/ sporting goods space—a plus

What We Offer:

• Training: Don't worry if you're not a packaging expert yet. We provide comprehensive training to get you up to speed.
• Team Environment: You'll be joining a team that values empathy, trust, and open communication. We believe in supporting each other and learning together.
• Flexibility: This role requires a minimum of 3 days at our Freeport Headquarters, giving you the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds – collaboration in the office and the flexibility to work remotely.

If you're ready to take on a role where you can make a real impact and grow your skills in a supportive environment, we'd love to hear from you. Join us at L.L.Bean and be a part of our journey to packaging excellence.

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!   At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us.  We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.