Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #173946 - Tokyo, Tokyo-To, Japan
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Role Overview
The Regional Design & Packaging Execution Lead is a highly collaborative role responsible for bridging the responsibilities of creative design and technical engineering. This position oversees the end-to-end packaging lifecycle—from initial graphics adaptation and prepress to the technical implementation of packaging materials and structures across regional manufacturing sites. As a Strong Integrator, the lead partners with creative, technical, and business stakeholders to ensure brand aesthetic integrity is maintained alongside technical rigorand functional performance.-
Function: Hill's Global Packaging
Reporting Line: Reports to the Sr. Manager of Global Packaging
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Core Responsibilities
This role merges the aesthetic integrity of brand design with the technical rigor of packaging engineering:
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Graphics & Print Excellence:
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Artwork Stewardship: Maintain accountability for regional packaging graphics and
print execution, ensuring seamless adaptation of design bundles. -
Process Management: Ensure a clean hand-off from design adaptation to the
artwork approval process while managing cost tracking for pre-mechanical activities. -
Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in the end-to-end artwork
process, including KPI adherence and output quality.
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Technical Implementation & Development:
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Sustainability Leadership: Lead the regional transition to sustainable mono-plastic packaging systems, ensuring all new materials meet recyclability goals without compromising barrier properties or shelf-life integrity.
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Project Execution: Lead the implementation of regional packaging projects, coordinating development through prototyping, scale-up, and technology transfer.
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System Specification: Ensure packaging equipment/material system specifications and functionality are appropriate for use at regional Co-packers and Co-manufacturers.
Testing & Validation: Coordinate package testing, analyze data, and assist Quality teams in investigating packaging issues to ensure product integrity under various shipping conditions.
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Process & Quality Management:
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Drive artwork excellence: Streamline processes and leveraging data to hit performance and quality targets.
Ensure product integrity: Oversee rigorous package testing and partnering with Quality teams to solve real-world shipping and handling challenges.
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Operational Integration:
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Cost & Efficiency: Identify cost-saving opportunities through cross-functional collaboration and material optimization.
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Data Governance: Manage packaging material templates and codes (SAP, MDGM, etc.) and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for external partners.
Stakeholder Communication: Translate technical requirements for non-technical stakeholders to guide workable, collaborative solutions across the design-to-print chain.
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Needed Skills & Technical Expertise
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Design & Prepress: Expert knowledge of packaging design, adaptation, and prepress processes. Strong design sensibility to ensure artwork adheres to brand guidelines.
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Print & Materials: Working knowledge of commercial printing techniques (flexo, offset, gravure) and common packaging materials (labels, paperboards, films).
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Color Management: Proficiency in color reproduction, matching, and hard/soft proofing technologies.
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Systems & Software: Technical: SAP or similar ERP systems, Cape Pack (pallet pattern design), and basic design software (Photoshop, Illustrator).
Administrative: High proficiency in Google Workspace.
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Key Competencies
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Strong Integrator: Adept at partnering with creative, technical, and business stakeholders across the entire design-to-print chain.
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Excellent Communicator: Proficient in translating technical requirements for non-technical stakeholders.
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Managing Ambiguity: Ability to make firm decisions and recommendations in the face of uncertainty and to manage complex projects
Empathetic: Aptitude for understanding diverse points of view to guide workable, collaborative solutions and for team coaching
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Experience & Education:
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Education: BS/BA degree in Graphic Design, Printing Technology, Packaging Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field.
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Experience: At least 5 years of practical experience in FMCG packaging design or engineering (Corporate or Agency), preferably with experience in food packaging.
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Language: Proficient level of English.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
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