Packaging Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Packaging Planning Specialist

Job Description

The Packaging Planning Specialist oversees supplier packaging activities from concept through implementation to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate shipment of products. This role focuses on coordinating packaging development, maintaining packaging standards, and supporting suppliers in meeting operational and quality requirements. The position is not a design role but requires the ability to understand and interpret Catia drawings to evaluate and validate packaging solutions.

Responsibilities

• Interact with suppliers to review, clarify, and support their product packaging requirements for shipment.
• Track suppliers’ packaging development progress from initial design through approval and final implementation.
• Monitor suppliers’ packaging maintenance programs to ensure continued compliance with standards and operational needs.
• Track and verify barcode labeling accuracy to support correct identification, traceability, and material flow.
• Conduct floor audits to assess packaging performance, adherence to specifications, and compliance with procedures.
• Help suppliers interface effectively with internal departments to resolve packaging-related issues and support cross-functional initiatives.
• Open, read, and interpret Catia drawings to understand packaging concepts, dimensions, and specifications (without performing design work).
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to packaging, material flow, and returnable containers within the supply chain.
• Contribute to planning activities for packaging, including coordination of returnable containers and alignment with material flow requirements.
• Document and report packaging issues, audit findings, and improvement opportunities to relevant stakeholders.

• Essential Skills
• Experience with packaging planning and development, including returnable containers and shipment packaging.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems used for material flow, packaging, or supply chain management.
• Knowledge of material flow and its relationship to packaging and container planning.
• Understanding of packaging engineering principles as they relate to automotive or manufacturing environments.
• Awareness of lean manufacturing concepts and their application to packaging and material handling.
• Awareness of Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong communication skills to interact with suppliers and internal departments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with returnable packaging and containers in a supply chain or manufacturing environment.
• Background in packaging engineering, industrial engineering, supply chain, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience conducting floor audits or operational assessments in a manufacturing setting.
• Exposure to automotive or large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration between packaging, logistics, production, and quality teams.
• Demonstrated ability to support continuous improvement activities related to packaging and material flow.

Work Environment

The role is based in an open office environment closely connected to production and logistics operations. The position involves regular interaction with suppliers and internal departments, as well as time spent on the shop floor conducting audits and observing packaging and material flow. The environment is professional and collaborative, with standard office tools and systems such as SAP and Catia used to manage packaging and supply chain activities. Dress expectations typically align with a professional office and manufacturing environment, with appropriate attire and safety considerations when visiting production areas.

This is a Contract position based out of Birmingham, AL.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Birmingham,AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.