Packaging Engineer

General Description

• Ensures automotive components are protected during transit from the supplier to our IAC plant (RAW) , Within the plant (WIP) and to the customer (FG). This role involves working with suppliers and plant personnel to design, develop, and test packaging solutions that balance cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and the safe delivery of automotive parts. It's a cross-functional position requiring strong collaboration with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute packaging concepts with optimal effectiveness.
• Develops and specifies new and revised packaging.
• Develops and implements process improvements.
• Requires advanced knowledge of industry regulatory requirements for packaging components and their related testing and documentation.
• Packaging Design & Development:
• Leads supplier and plant design and development of innovative and functional packaging solutions (returnable and expendable) that meet specific requirements for automotive components.
• Considers factors such as product protection, material flow, logistics, and ergonomic handling within the automotive manufacturing environment.
• Develops and approves package testing plans and interprets results.
• Supplier Collaboration & Management:
• Partners with external packaging suppliers to ensure packaging solutions meet design specifications and quality standards.
• Leads in selecting and managing packaging vendors.

• Cost Optimization & Efficiency:
• Analyzes current packaging processes and designs to identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
• Evaluates expendable vs. returnable container costs to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Coordinates efforts to minimize material handling and optimize warehouse layouts.

• Compliance & Quality:
• Ensures packaging designs and processes adhere to relevant industry standards and regulations (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
• May develop and maintain Logistics Management Information (LMI) and Special Packaging Instructions (SPI) in accordance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Addresses supplier compliance issues and assists with quality-related investigations.

• Project Management & Leadership:
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Leads cross-functional project teams, providing technical guidance and expertise.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree may be preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in packaging engineering, preferably in the automotive industry as a Tier 1 supplier. Experience in purchasing, manufacturing engineering, supply chain, or warehousing operations is a plus.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of various packaging materials (e.g., corrugate, plastics, foams, molded pulp, steel, aluminum).
• Strong project management and organization skills
• Proficient in cost benefit analysis and continuous improvement
• Familiarity with CAD software and 3d Modeling (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA).
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ASTM and ISTA.
• Understanding of packaging testing and validation methodologies.
• Knowledge of OEM automotive manufacturing processes and Packaging processes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead projects independently.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on delivering high-quality result