General Description Ensures components are protected during transit from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant. This role involves designing, developing, and testing 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 packaging systems 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 the 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. Creates detailed technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, and bill of materials. Supplier Collaboration & Management: Partners with external packaging suppliers to ensure packaging solutions meet design specifications and quality standards. May assist 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. May mentor junior packaging professionals. Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree may be preferred. Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in packaging engineering, preferably in the automotive industry or with a Tier 1 supplier. Experience in 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). Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA). Familiarity with industry standards such as ASTM and ISTA. Understanding of packaging testing and validation methodologies. Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes and component development. 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