Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer

Job Summary:

The Packaging Engineer position is at our U.S. Corporate Headquarters in Gastonia, NC. Under direction of USPP to design, develop and test a variety of structural packaging to achieve cost, delivery, quality and safety performance metrics per company and customer standards. Provide leadership to improve the development and evaluation processes, to utilize new technologies in order to meet business needs and to develop best practices. Provide technical leadership in developing packages, and packaging to support new products, packaging improvements and cost reductions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Design and develop packaging and labeling for new products as well as the improvement of existing packaging and associated processes.
• Work with package component manufacturers (and other suppliers) as well as internal resources to investigate and resolve packaging production issues and meet cost targets.
• Work with package component vendors to monitor compliance with packaging requirements. Package components include corrugated boxes, customer defined returnables and inserts, shrink/stretch wraps, plastics, banding, laminate tubes, plastic closure, inserts and outserts, etc...
• Conduct detailed engineering examinations to determine machine capabilities, proper material handling, and use of manpower, as well as product profit margins, to recommend changes to improve productivity and costs.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts for introduction of new packaging designs into production including working with Engineering and Sales to determine the necessary change parts and serving as customer contact for packaging questions.
• Recommend and implement cost reductions, process efficiency improvements, and coordinate compatibility studies for new and existing packaging used at equipment and/or lines.
• Participate in team meetings related to product launches/improvements and production packaging related issues or problems.
• Create and modify as required label programs for proper printing of required labels.
• Travel to customers and other Stabilus centers of operation to participate in improvement activities.
• Create and/or modify packaging kits.
• Fill out and submit packaging forms for company costing and customer approval.
• Maintain label matrix databases.
• Maintain drawings of packaging series and packaging part numbers.
• Maintain packaging information for all customer required systems.
• Create internal packaging kits.
• Create packaging for unfinished goods shipped from the U.S. and Mexico.
• Provide packaging training.
• Support Customer Service by resolving customer packaging concerns/items.
• Assist purchasing with new vendor selections and cost savings.
• Assist Mexico with packaging questions and procedures.
• Work in conjunction with sales and accounting to estimate expendable to returnable cost differences.
• Work in conjunction with the shipping department to reduce in-transit product damage.
• Work with quality, sales and program management to modify/change/improve current packaging designs for in-production parts.

Education, Training, Certifications:

• BS is Packaging Engineering or related technical field.
• Must be willing to attend and pass the Hazardous Materials Management course covering FAA (IATA) and DOT requirements within 90 days of hire date. This must also be renewed every 2 years.
• Continuous Education: Time management, project management, LMS system

Experience:

• 3 - 5 years' experience in design and development of retail packaging, preferably for high volume high technology products.

Job Knowledge and Skills:

• Software Skills: Detailed understanding of computers, and Microsoft Office, Excel and Word. Demonstrated ability to function independently, the planning aspects of SAP (PP and MM), and engineering drawing KF/2.
• Gain product knowledge in all Stabilus product lines: LOM, BOL, SOM/SOB, Hydro-lift, Dampers, Innerstop, Federbein.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong in written and oral communication skills along with the ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, algebra and geometric techniques.
• Supervisory Skills: Demonstrated ability to coordinate with manufacturing, engineering, customer service and program management to create packaging that meets the customer intent for use.
• Contact with Others: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with associates from: Manufacturing, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality and Sales.
• Resourcefulness and Initiative: Ability to assess packaging material vendor capabilities to meet Logitech quality standards. Ability to test package materials and final product per ISTA standards.

Working Condition:

• Physical Effort: Light physical work, mounting gas springs to customer products.
• Mental Effort: Performs a variety of complicated tasks.
• Visual Effort: Must read blueprints and CAD files on computer

Accountability:

• Accountability: The engineer is responsible for the correct packaging that meets customer requirements which assures on time deliveries are met and that material damage is prevented during transportation.
• Impact of Errors: The impact of the errors will result in efficiency reductions, unplanned overtime, expedite charges and poor vendor ratings from our customer. The resulting impact directly impacts the organizations supplier rating; thus, impacting existing and new business opportunities.
• Confidential Data: The engineer will have information associated with the short-term planning horizon of the facility and have access to key production drawing data.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.