RHH202615

Vice President of Design and Production Planning

Packaging

THE COMPANY

Our client is a fourth-generation, family-owned manufacturer of premium packaging with a legacy spanning more than a century. It has built an enduring reputation as the packaging partner of choice for the world’s most prestigious beauty, fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical brands. Names that are household words globally. The company is carbon neutral, FSC certified, and holds EcoVadis Platinum status, placing it in the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability performance. The company culture is caring, family-oriented, and built on a “can-do” attitude.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking a Vice President of Design and Production Planning to lead their New York packaging design studio of approximately 35 professionals. This senior leadership role will be responsible for overseeing all studio operations, coordinating cross-functional teams including design, engineering, procurement, estimating, and planning, while driving excellence in packaging design and manufacturing performance. The right candidate will bring strong leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to align creative vision with manufacturing capabilities and business objectives. This is an opportunity for a creative operations leader to step into a role with real authority, direct access to ownership, and a client roster that represents the most prestigious names in beauty, fragrance, and cosmetics. The company’s century-long legacy, family-owned culture, and top 1% global sustainability standing make it a destination employer for a leader who wants to make a significant impact at an already exceptional company.

This position reports to the Owner/CEO and has four direct reports.

JOB DEFINITION

The Vice President of Design and Production Planning will drive operational excellence by establishing efficient workflows, implementing project management best practices, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery across all studio functions. The role requires a strategic thinker who can align creative vision with manufacturing capabilities, monitor industry trends, and drive innovation while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality standards. They will serve as a customer-facing leader, maintaining relationships with key clients and representing the studio in strategic discussions. The ideal candidate will be a natural leader who inspires and motivates diverse teams. Above all, this is a people leader who builds teams that are proud of their work, aligned around a common purpose, and motivated to do their best every day.

SKILLS

  • Oversee day-to-day studio operations, ensuring seamless coordination between design, procurement, estimating, and planning teams.
  • Develop and manage front-office KPIs across the full design-to-production workflow, including structural design cycle time, estimate turnaround, first-time client approval rates, and customer satisfaction scores, while establishing accountability benchmarks for the timely and accurate transfer of project specifications and production-ready documentation to manufacturing operations.
  • Establish and maintain efficient workflows, processes, and systems that optimize productivity and quality.
  • Implement project management best practices to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
  • Develop and achieve studio strategy aligned with company goals.
  • Maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders, representing the studio in meetings, presentations, and strategic discussions.
  • Partner with the sales team to understand client needs, identify growth opportunities, and ensure exceptional service across all touchpoints.
  • Drive innovation in packaging design while ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
  • Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies in packaging.
  • Establish and maintain quality standards for all design and production deliverables.
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and company policies.
  • Review and approve designs, estimates, and project specifications.
  • Monitor project profitability and identify opportunities to improve margins.
  • Approve procurement decisions and manage vendor relationships.
  • Track key performance metrics and provide regular reporting to senior leadership.

 

Leadership and Management:

  • Champion a studio culture that reflects the company’s family-oriented, can-do values, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to craft and client excellence.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of 35+ employees across design, procurement, estimating, and planning functions.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs, and create professional development pathways for team members.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

  • 7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in folding carton or a related environment.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing cross-functional teams.
  • Strong understanding of packaging design, manufacturing processes, and supply chain.
  • Demonstrated expertise in project management, budgeting, and resource planning.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency with design software, project management tools, and business systems.
  • Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
  • Experience in packaging manufacturing or converting operations.
  • Knowledge of procurement, estimating, and production planning systems.
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and improvement methodologies.
  • Experience with ERP systems and workflow management software.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, industrial design, packaging engineering, or related field
If you have these qualifications and are looking for a challenging career, please submit your Resume using the button below.
Todd Hohauser
CEO & Lead Consultant
Kate Scott
Director, Executive Recruitment
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