Packaging Engineer

Parts that ship from a North American supplier location are sourced in returnable racks or containers to protect the part and reduce packaging costs associated with cardboard and storage. Parts can be containerized in bulk bins or small lot totes with or without expendable dunnage inside to protect the part. Depending on the supplier ship-from location, parts may be containerized in cardboard packaging. The purpose of the Packaging Optimization Team is to review parts on non-launching, operational programs that currently ship in bulk bin to determine if a small lot option can be utilized. Small lot packaging is preferred to save both storage and line-side space at the plant. The Packaging Optimization Team will also review parts to determine if density increases can be achieved which results may result in an inbound logistics savings. Sustainability projects should also be reviewed to determine if either cardboard packaging or dunnage can be eliminated to reduce the piece price and drive down disposal costs within the plants.

The Packaging Optimization Team will consist of five engineers. These engineers will split their time between the plant and remote work. Regular reporting of ideas generated, containerization status, and approved packaging changes will be required to the plant, program manager and corporate staff.

Job Description:

Project manage the design, development, testing, procurement and validation of automotive (or similar) packaging. Includes standard returnable containers and expendable containers, for both domestic and international applications.

Responsibilities:

• Initiate and maintain customer specific packaging database for assigned parts.
• Perform change management to assess impact of changes in part physical characteristics, suppliers, and process requirements.
• Coordinate with customer stakeholders, logistics partners, and part suppliers to establish project schedule, design criteria, procurement strategy, and fleet size requirements.
• Plan and direct activities concerned with the design, prototyping, testing and delivery of containers. Includes design reviews, over-the-road testing, problem solving and troubleshooting.
• Provide on-site support to validate packaging meets program requirements. Monitor supplier conformance.
• Schedule and hold coordination meetings, including virtual meetings. Write meeting minutes. Participate in open issues meetings and presentations.
• Consult with customer departments and packaging suppliers to determine costs and feasibility of producing proposed packaging.
• May advise customers on efficient packaging procedures, innovations in packaging materials and various applications within the supply chain.
• Support the development of presentation materials for customer presentations and may lead customer presentations.
• Ability to travel freely and occasionally for overnight visits to automotive production plants and suppliers in North America (US, Canada, and Mexico).
• Ability to be on your feet for several hours at a time on plant/supplier floors.
• Ability to lift/push/pull industrial containers and/or parts weighing up to 30 lbs.

Requirements:

Education: BS degree in Packaging from an accredited university preferred or a 4-year degree in an engineering discipline.

Experience: 4-7 years of progressively more responsible previous relevant (automotive or similar) experience.

Skills/Competencies:

• ​Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of software, with particular strength in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to effectively manage a large amount of data and communications.
• Basic proficiency in the below systems is preferred, but not required. CMS (Container Management System) – Supplier Inventories & Shipment Information, CHAMPS – Part & Shipment Data; PC Portal – Ahead/Behind Ship Reports, Crates – Packaging Reference Database & Inventory Adjustments, eLeen – Logistics Routing Data, GPSIS – Contract Data and Contacts, Web EBOM (Engineering System) – Part Data