Description

Koala’s mission is: Better furniture experiences, designed with the World in mind. Combining customer-centric products, a world-class technology and fulfillment platform, incredible customer service and social good; we are changing the way people buy and enjoy furniture to create happier, healthier habitats.

Why we have this role @ Koala?

We currently have a need for a Senior Packaging Designer to optimize and redesign our furniture packaging. This will support our entire logistics chain efficiency, including shipment to different markets, warehousing, quality and last mile delivery. Additionally, we need to make our packaging more durable for warehousing and for the various global markets with different freight systems. Finally, but importantly, it will improve our sustainability goals and customer's surprise and delight unboxing experience.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of furniture packaging technologies, materials, and processes. They will be responsible for leading packaging projects from design through manufacturing, ensuring the integrity and quality of packaging solutions, and driving innovation to meet the evolving needs of our products and customers.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

What key responsibilities does this role have @ Koala?

Lead Packaging Design and Development:

• Develop, design, and prepare specifications to test new packaging solutions for various furniture products and markets, including package material choice, outside & inside construction, palletization design according to forecast/container filing rate/logistic handlings.
• Undertake research to ensure packaging designs meet all functional, commercial, aesthetic, and sustainability criteria; and with a particular emphasis on ergonomic, marketing and manufacturability considerations.
• Utilize CAD software and other design/engineering tools to create detailed packaging specifications and plans, samples and prototypes to communicate design concepts.
• Take lead responsibility on packaging improvement opportunities, defining the objectives and constraints of designs and executing on these.

Project Management:

• Manage multiple packaging projects, including improvement projects, simultaneously from conception to implementation.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including product development, marketing, and logistics and manufacturing.
• Establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring adherence to schedule and budget.

Materials and Sustainability:

• Research and evaluate new materials and packaging technologies in order to recommend functional and aesthetic product materials, methods and finishes for manufacture.
• Drive initiatives for sustainable packaging solutions, reducing environmental impact.
• Work with suppliers to source appropriate materials and components and supervise the preparation of these in the manufacturing process.

Quality Assurance and Testing:

• Develop and implement testing protocols to ensure packaging performance under various conditions.
• Conduct failure analysis and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain documentation of testing results and quality control measures.

Compliance and Standards:

• Ensure all packaging designs comply with relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and emerging trends in packaging technology.

Mentorship and Leadership:

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior product designer and engineers and other team members.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the furniture product department.

Communication

• Supporting Director of Innovation in technical problems solving.
• Supporting Director of Innovation on communicating effectively with key stakeholders including expressing the rationale of design and new design decisions, sourcing required information (internally and externally) as well as identifying, escalating and resolving issues arising from the design process.
• Work closely with Designer, Product managers/Developers, Quality team to secure the assigned furniture product development project success on time.

Ideal background…

• Degree in Packaging Design or Engineering, Industrial Design or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in furniture packaging design or a related consumer product field.
• Proven track record of successful packaging design and project management.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks) and other relevant design/engineering tools.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, processes, and technologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Experience with consumer products and user centric design preferred.
• Strong curiosity & ambition.
• Team player, with a supportive and positive attitude

Benefits

Treehouse Perks and Privileges…

Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!

• Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with the majority of days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office), but with some flex for your life too as needed!
• Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.
• Tuesday lunches, Monthly barbies, socials and stocked kitchen - With an emphasis on healthy, local and organic produce.
• Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!
• Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.
• Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.
• Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.
• Short term incentive plans ensure you benefit as Koala succeeds!
• Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Koalities we look for…

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We are ambitious. We are curious. We are selfless. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change like Steve Smith under a short ball. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognize that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.