Packaging Engineer

Relyans Max • Lapeer, MI

1d

About The Position

The Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining packaging systems that ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of automotive fasteners throughout the manufacturing process and to customers. This position manages customer-supplied packaging assets (including STA totes and returnable containers), develops and maintains customer packaging specifications, and oversees the lifecycle of internal production bins used throughout manufacturing. The Packaging Engineer works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Purchasing, and customers to ensure compliance with customer requirements while minimizing packaging costs and improving operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience may be considered.
• 3–5 years of packaging engineering or packaging management experience in automotive manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with returnable packaging systems.
• Experience working with Tier 1 automotive customer packaging specifications.
• Experience with metal containers, bulk handling systems, or material flow preferred.
• Strong understanding of automotive packaging standards and customer requirements.
• Knowledge of returnable container management.
• Familiarity with AIAG packaging guidelines and customer-specific packaging manuals.
• Experience with ERP and inventory management systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• CAD experience (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) preferred.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and customer specifications.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to train others.

Nice To Haves

• CAD experience (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain customer-specific packaging specifications, working within customer portals and customer/internal databse systems.
• Interpret and implement customer packaging standards and engineering requirements.
• Manage all customer-supplied returnable packaging assets, including STA totes, racks, trays, pallets, dunnage, and specialty containers.
• Coordinate procurement, tracking, repair, cleaning, and replacement of customer-owned packaging.
• Monitor inventory levels of customer returnable containers to prevent production interruptions.
• Coordinate packaging changes resulting from engineering changes or customer requests.
• Participate in customer packaging audits and support customer visits.
• Design and improve packaging solutions for automotive fasteners that maximize protection while minimizing cost.
• Establish specifications for: Packaging materials, Carton and tote sizes, Bagging requirements, Taping methods, Label placement, Protective materials, Dunnage, Pallet configurations, Stretch wrapping, Weight limits.
• Develop standard work instructions for packaging operations.
• Validate new packaging designs through production trials and transportation testing.
• Manage the inventory, condition, and utilization of all internal metal production bins used throughout manufacturing.
• Establish standards for metal bin application by process.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, replacement, and procurement of production bins.
• Optimize bin availability to support uninterrupted production.
• Develop systems for tracking production bins throughout the facility.
• Standardize bin identification and labeling.
• Identify opportunities to reduce packaging costs through standardization and waste elimination.
• Troubleshoot problems and benchmark solutions.
• Monitor customer chargebacks, research the root cause, and suport any disputes.
• Lead packaging improvement projects utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Reduce packaging damage, scrap, and transportation-related quality concerns.
• Improve packaging ergonomics and operator safety.
• Support automation initiatives involving packaging and material handling.
• Work with Sales/Engineering during new product launches to develop production and customer packaging.
• Collaborate with Purchasing to source packaging materials and negotiate supplier costs.
• Support Logistics in optimizing freight utilization and container efficiency.
• Assist Quality with containment activities involving packaging concerns.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing to ensure packaging specifications are followed consistently.
• Train others on packaging requirements, solutions, and changes.
• Maintain packaging specifications, drawings, photographs, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with customer packaging manuals and automotive industry requirements.
• Maintain records of packaging validation and change history.
• Support IATF 16949, ISO 14001, MMOG, and customer-specific audits.
• Develop and maintain packaging-related KPIs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level