Senior Packaging Engineer

Senior Packaging Engineer

The Senior Packaging Engineer is responsible for driving the Packaging Engineering strategy across multiple North American launch programs, leading packaging concept development, and overseeing packaging fleet implementation. Key responsibilities include designing and executing innovative packaging solutions for new program launches, standardizing and optimizing existing packaging systems to improve cost efficiency, operational capability, and product quality, and providing ongoing manufacturing and commercial support to resolve packaging-related challenges.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Provide technical mentorship, coaching, and accelerating growth for junior engineers
• Serve as regional subject matter expert for packaging design and interface with manufacturing, technology, quality, logistics, and commercial functional groups.
• Provide technical expertise to support manufacturing packaging issues or customer quality related issues related to packaging.
• Lead multi-stream initiatives, optimizing resource allocation and prioritization across multiple programs
• Utilize Yanfeng Packaging Engineering systems to process supplier packaging proposals.
• Facilitate and recommend packaging solutions based on current automotive industry best practices.
• Promote the use of standardized packaging concepts within Yanfeng manufacturing facilities and supplier locations.
• Design, develop and approve component and finished goods packaging that supports quality, ergonomics and lowest landed cost initiatives throughout the Yanfeng's supply chain.
• Communicate internal metrics updates on a consistent basis to show packaging progress.
• Development/management of container management strategy to Yanfeng packaging assets within the supply chain.
• Support/collaborate with global team members on future projects to enhance the YF Global Packaging Strategy

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in Continuous improvement projects related to inbound/outbound packaging
• Maintain internal and customer packaging systems as required: Examples: PackSpec, VSIM, CLIPS, VPACS, OLCT, BASECAMP
• Manage engineering changes with plant engineering coordinator to maintain systems (PFEP)
• Update/maintain plant packaging work instructions (ODS)

Essential Common Requirements for All Employees

• Internal Operating System (IOS): Understand, apply and meet all function-related IOS requirements.
• Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS): Understand, apply and meet all function-related EHS requirements.
• Product Safety: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Product Safety requirements.
• Compliance: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Compliance requirements
• Information Security: Understand, apply and meet all function-related IT / Information Security and confidentiality of YFAI information requirements.
• Must comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Employee must have the ability to work additional hours and / or overtime as needed or assigned to complete job duties on time.
• Ability to multitask, interact politely and professionally with customers, suppliers and vendors, and work cooperatively with employees at all levels.
• Ability to maintain predictable and regular attendance, arrive to designated location on time, or be at assigned location ready to work for assignment (plant, corporate office, or remote).

Required Education Level

• Bachelor's level degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial/Material handling Engineering or related Supply Chain fields

Required Qualifications

• 5-9 Minimum Years of Experience with automotive packaging engineering
• Experience in OEM Packaging Systems and OEM Packaging launch requirements
• Experience in returnable and expendable packaging development projects
• Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.
• Detail oriented, hands on and strong organizational skills
• Team Oriented and good communication skills
• Interdependent partnering and conflict & change management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of packaging commodities, corrugated, steel, plastics, EPP, adhesives, and thermoforms
• Expertise in ISTA, ASTM, or ISO standards for protective packaging
• Strong analytical reasoning, financial acumen for cost reduction

Physical Ability Requirements

• Stationary Position (Sitting or Standing): Constantly
• Movement (Walking): Occasionally
• Carry Weight (Lifting up to 10 lbs): Occasionally
• Communication (Seeing/Talking/Hearing): Constantly
• Use Hands/Fingers (Operate computer, printer, phone): Constantly

Work Environment

• Office environment
• May frequent manufacturing plants and must follow all rules while visiting locations.