Description

The Senior Analyst, Global Packaging Development is an independent technical contributor responsible for leading packaging development projects from concept through commercialization while continuing to build technical depth, business acumen, and leadership capability.

As a trusted Packaging Development partner, the Senior Analyst independently manages a portfolio of projects across one or more brands or product categories, applying engineering judgment to deliver packaging solutions that strengthen brand identity, enhance the consumer experience, support sustainability goals, and meet business objectives.

This role collaborates closely with Marketing, Design, Product Development, R&I, Brand Value Chain (BVC), Global Supplier Management (GSM), Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Sustainability, Material Science, Package Testing, and supplier partners to ensure packaging solutions achieve quality, functionality, manufacturability, cost, timing, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership Mindset

Own Outcomes. Influence Others. Expand Your Expertise.

The Senior Analyst has progressed beyond learning the role and is expected to demonstrate ownership, accountability, and technical confidence. Success comes from consistently delivering results, influencing decisions through technical expertise, and building credibility with cross-functional partners.

Senior Analysts actively seek opportunities to improve processes, mentor less experienced colleagues, embrace innovation, and strengthen the capabilities of the broader Packaging Development organization. They balance technical excellence with business understanding and demonstrate increasing leadership regardless of formal reporting relationships.

Brand & Business Leadership

The Senior Analyst serves as the packaging steward for assigned projects and develops a strong understanding of how packaging contributes to brand success and business performance.

• Independently manage packaging development for assigned brands, product lines, or initiatives.
• Translate brand vision and creative intent into technically robust packaging solutions.
• Balance consumer experience, quality, manufacturability, sustainability, cost, and launch timing when making recommendations.
• Develop an understanding of category strategy, competitive activity, consumer trends, and business priorities by partnering closely with R&I on new product forms and innovations as well as the Packaging Inspiration lab to assist in thought provoking sessions for new packaging concepts and designs.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, functionality, sustainability, and consumer experience.

Innovation & Technical Strategy

The Senior Analyst contributes to innovation through sound engineering judgment and technical leadership.

• Lead technical feasibility assessments for new packaging concepts, materials, dispensing systems, decoration techniques, and manufacturing processes.
• Identify emerging technologies and supplier capabilities that support future innovation.
• Develop feasibility recommendations addressing functionality, manufacturability, cost, tooling, sustainability, development timing, quality, and technical risk.
• Utilize AI-enabled tools to accelerate technical research, benchmark competitive products, compare engineering options, organize technical information, and improve documentation.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, R&I, and suppliers to optimize technical solutions while maintaining creative intent.

Project & Portfolio Leadership

The Senior Analyst independently leads packaging development projects while supporting broader portfolio objectives.

• Lead packaging development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Develop and maintain project plans, development timelines, technical specifications, package outlines, and engineering documentation.
• Coordinate supplier development activities and technical reviews.
• Lead package testing and validation activities with Package Testing, Material Science, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality.
• Develop FMEA documentation and identify technical, manufacturing, supplier, and commercial risks.
• Recommend mitigation strategies and proactively communicate project risks.
• Drive value engineering initiatives that improve package performance while reducing cost, complexity, and environmental impact.
• Deliver projects that meet quality, timing, functionality, manufacturability, sustainability, and commercialization objectives.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Influence

The Senior Analyst influences project teams through technical expertise and collaborative leadership.

• Serve as the Packaging Development representative for assigned projects.
• Build trusted relationships across Marketing, Design, Product Development, R&I, BVC, GSM, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Sustainability, and supplier partners.
• Communicate technical recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Facilitate productive discussions that balance creative ambition with engineering feasibility.
• Represent Packaging Development professionally in cross-functional meetings and supplier engagements.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

Although primarily an individual contributor, the Senior Analyst contributes to developing team capability.

• Mentor Analysts, interns, and new team members.
• Share technical knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Support onboarding and technical development of junior colleagues.
• Foster collaboration and contribute positively to team culture.
• Demonstrate leadership through influence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Digital & AI Leadership

The Senior Analyst uses digital technologies to strengthen engineering execution and team effectiveness.

• Operate with excellence within the ELC digital ecosystem supporting Packaging operations.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to improve engineering analysis, technical documentation, meeting preparation, project organization, and communication.
• Critically evaluate AI-generated outputs for technical accuracy, feasibility, and business relevance.
• Identify opportunities where AI can improve project execution and engineering productivity.
• Champion responsible use of AI while protecting confidential information and applying sound engineering judgment.
• Continuously expand digital capabilities and encourage adoption of emerging technologies within the team.

Technical Excellence & Engineering Governance

The Senior Analyst applies technical expertise while supporting engineering consistency across projects.

• Apply strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, decoration technologies, testing methodologies, and commercialization requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Company engineering standards, regulatory requirements, sustainability objectives, and PPWR expectations.
• Review technical drawings, specifications, and supplier documentation for completeness and manufacturability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen Packaging Development processes and technical quality.
• Expand technical expertise through supplier engagement, manufacturing trials, conferences, industry organizations, and professional development.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum BS degree in Environmental Science, Packaging Science or Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3-5 years experience in cosmetic package development or environmental safety and development.
• Experience in beauty or related industry in a technical capacity. Proficiency in computer systems including Unique Package Definition Systems, MS Excel, Word, Outlook and Timeline management systems.

Independently Responsible For:

• Technical recommendations for assigned projects.
• Project planning and execution.
• Engineering documentation and package specifications.
• Supplier coordination for assigned programs.
• Identification and mitigation of routine technical risks.
• Day-to-day project prioritization.

Influences

• Package architecture and technical direction.
• Supplier selection recommendations.
• Manufacturing approaches.
• Cost optimization opportunities.
• Sustainability improvements.
• Innovation concepts.

Escalates

• Significant technical risks affecting commercialization.
• Major cost, timing, or quality impacts.
• Cross-functional conflicts requiring leadership alignment.
• Resource constraints affecting portfolio priorities.
• Strategic decisions impacting multiple brands or categories.

Pay Range:

The anticipated base salary range for this position is$75,350.00to $112,500.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.