Design Director - Packaging

WHO ARE WE?

We are the VMS Co-Op, a group of fast growing companies in the Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) space. The VMS Co-Op includes OLLY, SmartyPants and future acquisitions to come! This position's home company is OLLY.​

THE ROLE: DESIGN DIRECTOR - PACKAGING​

The Design Director, Packaging is responsible for defining and leading the creative vision for OLLY's packaging ecosystem across core business, innovation, and future growth initiatives.​

This role serves as the creative leader for packaging, translating business objectives, consumer insights, and brand strategy into a clear and compelling design vision. The Design Director establishes creative standards, drives packaging innovation, and ensures consistency across the portfolio while fostering a high-performing and highly collaborative team.​

As a key member of the Creative Leadership Team, this individual partners closely with stakeholders across Brand, Product Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Insights, Packaging Engineering, and Creative Operations to align priorities, make informed decisions, and guide the future evolution of the OLLY brand through packaging across base business, innovation and partnerships.​

This role reports to the VP of Creative and leads a team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:​

• Define and evolve OLLY's packaging vision across core business, innovation, and future growth initiatives.​
• Establish creative standards, design principles, and systems that guide packaging development across the portfolio.​
• Provide creative direction and feedback that elevates the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of packaging work.​
• Translate business objectives, consumer insights, and brand strategy into actionable creative direction.​
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the packaging portfolio through innovation, design thinking, and consumer-centered solutions.​
• Establish priorities across packaging initiatives and guide teams toward the highest-impact opportunities.​
• Serve as the primary creative decision-maker for packaging-related work streams and recommendations.​
• Drive clarity, alignment, and decision-making across packaging initiatives, ensuring teams are focused on the highest-impact work and positioned for success.​
• Partner with Creative Operations to align resources, workloads, and priorities across the packaging portfolio.​
• Lead, develop, and inspire packaging designers and creative contributors.​
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.​
• Build strong partnerships across Brand, Innovation, Product Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Insights, Packaging Engineering, and Operations.​
• Represent Packaging Design in organizational planning, key business initiatives, and leadership discussions.​
• Manage external agencies, freelancers, and creative partners to deliver exceptional work.​
• Champion exceptional craft, consumer-centric design, and innovative thinking across all packaging touch points.​

​THE CANDIDATE: You’re a Creative Leader Who Knows How to Turn Strategy Into Design. ​​

You believe great packaging does more than stand out on shelf. It tells a story, creates connection, solves business challenges, and shapes how consumers experience a brand.​

You're equal parts creative visionary and strategic thinker, with a deep understanding of how design can drive both brand equity and business impact.You know how to balance long-term thinking with day-to-day realities, bringing clarity to complexity and helping teams focus on what matters most.​

You're energized by building teams, developing talent, and creating environments where great ideas can flourish. You thrive in collaborative settings, navigate ambiguity with confidence, and know how to bring people together around a shared vision.​

Most importantly, you're passionate about creating meaningful work and helping others do the best work of their careers.​

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED​

• 7-15+ years of applicable experience in packaging design, brand design, creative leadership, or related fields.​
• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional design thinking, packaging expertise, and brand-building experience.​
• Proven experience developing packaging systems, visual identities, and consumer-facing design solutions.​
• Strong ability to translate business strategy, consumer insights, and brand objectives into compelling creative direction.​
• Experience leading and developing high-performing creative teams.​
• Demonstrated success influencing cross-functional stakeholders and driving alignment across complex initiatives.​
• Exceptional creative judgment and ability to provide thoughtful, actionable feedback.​
• Strong presentation, storytelling, and communication skills.​
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, make decisions, and establish priorities in a fast-paced environment.​
• Experience managing agencies, freelancers, and external creative partners.​
• Passion for innovation, consumer trends, and the evolving role of packaging in brand building.​
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term vision and near-term business needs.​
• Strong collaboration skills and a low-ego, team-first approach to leadership.​

​​WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Initial video screen with a member of our Talent team
• Round 1: Conversation with the Hiring Manager + 1-2 conversations with other Ollies on the team
• Round 2: 2-3 conversations with team or cross functional Ollies
• Final Round: Homework*

*At OLLY, our final round is called Homework. Candidates who participate in this round are given 3 questions in advance to answer and present to the interview panel they previously spoke with in the process. We understand every candidate is different. If you need a reasonable accommodation to adjust this procedure, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can evaluate and provide other options that work for your needs

THE DETAILS 

​LOCATION: Remote, USA - 4X travel per year to company offsites ​

HOURS: Full time, exempt (salary)​

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• An opportunity to work with an intelligent, inspiring, and extraordinarily fun team 
• We pay 100% of the premiums for employee-only medical, dental + orthodontics, and vision insurance
• 4 weeks PTO + paid holidays + 12 Mental Health Days per year
• 100% Paid parental leave, Fertility + Adoption Benefits 
• Annual Bonus  
• 401(k) plan with Employer Match 
• Hybrid Work + Wellness + Cell Phone Stipends 
• Free product 
• And much more!