Job DescriptionDirector, Labeling & Packaging, R&D - UCCPosition SummaryThe Director of Labeling & Packaging is a key member of the UCC R&D leadership team, responsible for setting the strategic direction and operational execution of labeling and packaging across innovation, new product development (NPD), and sustaining engineering (SE).
This role brings a
consumer-centric mindset to product experience-ensuring that labeling and packaging not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance usability, clarity, and market competitiveness. The Director will drive
process excellence, efficiency, and scalability within the labeling and packaging functions while ensuring compliance with global medical device regulations.
Focus Areas- Consumer-Centric Design Excellence: Embed consumer product packaging principles to elevate usability, clarity, and shelf/point-of-use impact
- Operational Efficiency & Process Transformation: Drive standardization, automation, and continuous improvement (e.g., AI-enabled workflows, labeling throughput optimization)
- Regulatory Compliance & Quality: Ensure adherence to global medical device labeling, packaging, and design control requirements
- Execution & Delivery: Ensure on-time, high-quality delivery of labeling and packaging across NPD and SE portfolios
- Talent & Organization Development: Build a high-performing, scalable organization with strong technical and operational capabilities
Primary ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Leadership- Define and execute the long-term strategy for labeling and packaging aligned with UCC growth objectives
- Serve as the functional leader across labeling and packaging, providing direction across platforms and projects
- Act as a key contributor to functional and business strategy development
Consumer-Centric Packaging & Labeling- Apply consumer product design principles to improve product differentiation, usability, and customer experience
- Partner with Marketing and Design teams to ensure packaging and labeling meet evolving customer needs and expectations
- Drive innovation in packaging formats, materials, and labeling presentation
Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement- Lead transformation initiatives to improve labeling and packaging efficiency, throughput, and predictability
- Standardize workflows (e.g., artwork creation, review cycles, release processes) and eliminate waste
- Implement digital and AI-enabled solutions to accelerate labeling and packaging processes
- Develop and track key performance metrics (cycle time, quality, cost, delivery)
Program Execution- Oversee labeling and packaging deliverables across the full product lifecycle (concept through commercialization and sustaining)
- Ensure alignment with BD's Global Product Development System (GPDS) and design control practices
- Provide governance, risk management, and escalation support for critical programs
Regulatory & Quality Compliance- Ensure all labeling and packaging meet global regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EU MDR, ISO standards)
- Partner with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance within BD's Quality Management System
- Maintain inspection readiness and support audits
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, and Supply Chain
- Ensure seamless integration of labeling and packaging into product development and commercialization plans
- Serve as a key stakeholder in platform and portfolio decision-making
Talent Development & Organization Leadership- Build and lead a high-performing team of labeling and packaging professionals
- Develop technical depth and leadership capability across the organization
- Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and BD Excellence mindset
Candidate ProfileBD is seeking a
transformational and execution-focused leader who combines consumer product insight with strong operational discipline and regulatory awareness.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Packaging Science, Industrial Design, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
- 12+ years of experience in packaging, labeling, or product development, including leadership roles
- Proven experience in consumer products packaging and/or industrial design
- Demonstrated success driving process improvements and operational efficiency in a complex organization
- Experience working within regulated industries (medical device preferred)
Preferred Qualifications- Experience integrating consumer design principles into healthcare or regulated environments
- Knowledge of global labeling and packaging regulations (e.g., FDA, EU MDR, ISO 13485)
- Experience with digital/AI tools for labeling workflows and artwork management
- Background in high-volume consumables or disposable product categories
Critical Skills & Competencies- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Strong execution discipline and process mindset
- Consumer mindset and design sensitivity
- Cross-functional leadership and influence
- Data-driven decision making
- Change leadership and organizational transformation
- Talent development and team building
Why Join Us?Join a leadership team driving a transformation in how UCC delivers innovation-expanding from traditional MedTech into
consumer-focused, design-driven solutions at scale.
Here is a
BD-style "Key Success Metrics" section you can append to the job description. I've aligned these to your operating model (velocity, capacity, range), labeling/process transformation priorities, and the execution discipline reflected in your internal materials (e.g., focus on delivery, process improvement, and compliance rigor).
Key Success MetricsExecution & Delivery (Velocity)- On-Time Labeling & Packaging Delivery: ≥95% of NPD and SE milestones met on time
- Cycle Time Reduction: 20-30% reduction in end-to-end labeling/artwork release cycle time
- Right-First-Time Yield: ≥98% approval rate on first submission for labeling and packaging deliverables
- Launch Readiness: Zero delays to commercialization attributable to labeling or packaging readiness
Operational Efficiency & Capacity- Throughput Improvement: ≥25% increase in labeling project throughput without proportional headcount increase
- Workload Balance & Utilization: Optimized resource utilization across labeling and packaging teams (measured via load vs. capacity dashboards)
- Automation Adoption: Measurable increase in use of digital/AI-enabled workflows (e.g., artwork comparison, automation of updates)
- Cost Efficiency: Year-over-year reduction in cost per labeling/packaging deliverable
Quality & Compliance- Audit Performance: Zero major findings related to labeling/packaging in internal/external audits
- Regulatory Compliance: 100% adherence to applicable global regulations (e.g., FDA, EU MDR, ISO 13485)
- Error Rate Reduction: Continuous reduction in labeling errors, deviations, and post-release corrections
- Inspection Readiness: Sustained state of readiness with no compliance-driven business disruption
Consumer-Centric Impact (Range / Market Impact)- Customer Experience Improvement: Measurable improvements in usability, readability, and product interaction feedback (VOC / HF metrics)
- Design Differentiation: Increased adoption of consumer-driven packaging and labeling innovations across NPD portfolio
- Market Readiness: Packaging and labeling enable clear product positioning and support successful product launches in global markets
Process Excellence & Transformation- Standardization: Implementation of standardized labeling and packaging workflows across 90%+ of projects
- Continuous Improvement Pipeline: Delivery of targeted Kaizen/CI initiatives with quantified benefits (cycle time, quality, cost)
- Digital Maturity: Advancement of labeling and packaging processes along the digital maturity curve (tools, data, automation)
Talent & Organization- Team Engagement & Retention: ≥95% retention of key talent and strong engagement scores
- Capability Building: Increased bench strength in consumer packaging, regulatory knowledge, and process excellence
- Leadership Effectiveness: Demonstrated development of high-performing teams and successors
Executive "So What" (optional framing for req justification)This role is successful when
labeling and packaging evolve from a constraint to a competitive advantage-enabling faster launches, improved consumer experience, and scalable global execution without compromising compliance.
Primary Work LocationUSA GA - Covington BMD
Additional LocationsWork Shift 
