Product Development Specialist

This is a contract position. Eligible candidates must reside in the GTA. There will be required time in office at our North York location.Responsibilities:Packaging sourcing and innovation – research and evaluate sustainable packaging solutions. Ideally candidate has a good understanding of new technologies and materials. Present project advances and challenges to key leadership and stakeholders.Packaging Testing – ensure manufacturers and chemist have packaging for compatibility, track testing and results. Provide technical support to manufacturing as it relates to product packaging. Create and maintain test methods and SOPs related to packaging development.Packing Copy - gather and collate all packaging copy including box, label and insert copy. Ensure that the copy is accurate, factual and represents the formula being manufactured.Packaging Translation - work with translation company to translate and ensure accurate translation of all packaging copy, including box, label and insert copy. For each new production, ensure that all relevant copy changes and ingredient changes are made.Packaging Design & Artwork - work with designers to design all labels, boxes and inserts to brand standards and to reflect the various regulatory requirements of the international territories we are distributed in. Work with dielines and packaging specifications to ensure proper label placement. Packaging artwork design is on-going with every new product launch as well as every new production run.Product Releases – create detailed and accurate data packages (including BOMs, packaging artwork, specification, etc) for supply chain to order finished product.Work with corrugated supplier to develop package formats to achieve Copacker efficiency goalsPackaging changes – Fill out packaging change requests, develop and maintain a system to effectively track all changes including artwork, copy, and componentry needs.Production runs - Support Product Engineering to assess commercial line feasibility for new primary packaging and coordination of line trials. Provides final release of packaging to production. Attend deco/print runs as required to ensure quality. Verify the primary package capacities such as minimum fill and headspace.Work closely with QA, Engineering and Product Development teams in addressing customer complaints related to the packaging materials.Regulatory – ensure that all packaging meets regulatory requirements for the territories we are distributed in.Relationship Management – maintain relationships with current vendors and source and develop relationships with potential new vendorsAdministration – update artwork and item codes, product specifications, inventory codes, packaging changes, and packaging dockets and libraryEducation – attend Alumier brand training, attend packaging seminars and courses, tradeshows. Where possible visit suppliers for print runs to become more knowledgeable about the printing process.Requirements:College/University degree specializing in Packaging Engineering/Design or a similar disciplineMust have 2 ­– 3 years experience in the cosmetic/skincare packaging industry with a proven history of taking new products to marketComputer knowledge and skills – Illustrator, Photoshop, MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) and Adobe AcrobatExcellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal Good understanding of packaging material specificationsCuriosity and a thirst for learning and be ahead of what is coming and where packaging is goingExperience with regulations and requirements such as cGMP, SOPs, ISO and OTC/NHP would be an assetExperience working with sustainable packaging solutions and eco-friendly materials.High level of organizational skills, including attention to detail, ability to multi-task and capable of managing projects with excellent follow through and accuracyPossess an entrepreneurial drive, energetic, self-motivated and the ability to act with a sense of urgency, intensity and integrityProficient word processing skills using MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) and Adobe AcrobatAlumierMD is an equal opportunity employer