Senior Project Manager - Retail Packaging

Senior Project Manager – Retail Packaging – Dallas, TX

About our Client:
Our client is an established retail solutions provider that partners with leading brands and retailers to enhance in-store execution, merchandising, and overall customer experience. With a strong focus on innovation, operational excellence, and measurable results, the organization helps its clients strengthen their retail presence and drive performance across a variety of consumer-facing environments.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly organized and experienced Senior Project Manager to lead complex custom retail packaging projects from concept through production and final delivery. This role serves as a critical connection between sales, clients, manufacturing partners, and internal teams, ensuring projects are executed accurately, on time, and within budget.


The ideal candidate brings direct experience within the custom retail packaging/manufacturing industry, strong project leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple high-priority programs simultaneously. This individual will also provide leadership to Project Managers and serve as a subject matter expert for packaging production, factory coordination, and client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the full lifecycle of custom retail packaging projects from initial concept and requirements gathering through sampling, production, logistics, and final delivery.
• Partner closely with the sales team to ensure newly won business transitions successfully from sale to execution, delivery, and ultimately repeat business.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and success metrics.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across sales, production, logistics, warehousing, accounting, artwork/design, and vendor relations.
• Manage relationships and project communication with domestic and international manufacturing partners, including factories throughout APAC and Mexico.
• Oversee the factory sampling and approval process, establishing expectations around quality standards, tolerances, timelines, and client requirements.
• Serve as a trusted resource for both factory-facing and client-facing communication, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact delivery.
• Monitor project schedules, costs, risks, and deliverables while maintaining clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify potential project risks and implement appropriate mitigation and contingency plans.
• Utilize root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies to identify inefficiencies and improve processes.
• Lead project meetings, provide status updates, resolve conflicts, and maintain accountability across project teams.
• Manage and mentor direct reports, including oversight of their individual projects, deadlines, performance, and professional development.
• Successfully oversee multiple projects simultaneously, including complex, multi-component and large-scale packaging programs.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of project management experience , preferably within custom packaging, retail packaging, manufacturing, or a closely related environment.
• Direct experience with custom retail packaging in a manufacturing environment is required.
• Strong technical understanding of packaging, with particular emphasis on primary packaging and production processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects involving domestic and international manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of production timelines, factory sampling, quality standards, tolerances, logistics, and inventory considerations.
• Experience leading teams and managing direct reports, including delegation, coaching, goal setting, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to identify project risks and develop effective solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with clients, sales professionals, senior leadership, factories, and internal departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple complex projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Technical Skills:

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, calculations, data analysis, and project-related reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with project management and scheduling platforms such as Monday.com, Jira, Project Server, VersionOne, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is a plus.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Merchandising, or a related discipline required.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $75,000 – $95,000 annually  
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company matching; health savings account; life insurance; paid time off; flexible scheduling; employee assistance; professional development assistance; referral program; and retirement benefits.

Work Location
Richardson, Texas – Hybrid
This is an opportunity for an experienced packaging professional to take ownership of complex retail programs while playing a highly visible role across sales, operations, manufacturing, and client delivery.