Packaging Process Engineer

Based at our U.S. Corporate Headquarters in Gastonia, NC, this role specifies, coordinates, and manages packaging solutions — working closely with suppliers, customers, and internal teams — to achieve cost, delivery, quality, and safety performance metrics per company and customer standards.

Responsibilities

• Maintain packaging data sheets, create pack records in SAP, and ensure compliance with customer specs and packaging codes.
• Coordinate packaging plan submissions through customer portals (e.g., OLCT for GM, VPACS for Toyota, GPP for Ford, and other customer-specific systems).
• Maintain label matrix databases and create or modify label programs for proper printing of required labels.
• Maintain drawings of packaging series and packaging part numbers, and packaging information for all customer-required systems.
• Work with package component manufacturers and other suppliers, as well as internal resources, to investigate and resolve packaging production issues and meet cost targets.
• Monitor compliance with packaging requirements — including corrugated boxes, customer-defined returnables and inserts, shrink/stretch wraps, plastics, banding, laminate tubes, plastic closures, inserts and outserts.
• Serve as the customer contact for packaging-related questions and support Customer Service in resolving customer packaging concerns.
• Assist purchasing with new vendor selection and cost savings initiatives.
• Fill out and submit packaging forms for company costing and customer approval.
• Conduct engineering examinations of packaging-related processes and equipment to evaluate machine capabilities, material handling, and manpower use, and recommend changes to improve productivity and cost.
• Recommend and implement cost reductions and process efficiency improvements, and coordinate compatibility studies for new and existing packaging used on equipment and/or lines.
• Work with sales and accounting to estimate expendable-to-returnable cost differences.
• Work with the shipping department to reduce in-transit product damage.
• Work with quality, sales, and program management to modify, change, or improve current packaging for in-production parts.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts for the introduction of new packaging into production, including working with Engineering and Sales to determine necessary change parts.
• Participate in team meetings related to product launches, improvements, and production packaging issues.
• Create and/or modify packaging kits, including internal packaging kits and packaging for unfinished goods shipped from the U.S. and Mexico.
• Provide packaging training across the organization.
• Assist Mexico operations with packaging questions and procedures.
• Travel to customers and other Stabilus operations to support improvement activities as needed.

Requirements

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a 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, and renew every 2 years.
• 3+ years of experience in an operational, coordination, or project engineering-focused role is preferred.
• Experience in packaging, automotive, or manufacturing environments is a strong plus, but not required.
• Candidates from adjacent operational backgrounds — such as project engineering, supply chain, or manufacturing coordination — with strong systems and cross-functional experience are encouraged to apply.

Skills

• Software Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word); working knowledge of SAP (PP and MM modules).
• Systems & Portals: Experience managing data within ERP/SAP systems and customer-facing portals (e.g., OLCT, VPACS, GPP, or similar) is highly valued.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and oral communication skills; comfort working with quantitative concepts such as basic statistics and cost modeling.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Ability to coordinate with manufacturing, engineering, customer service, and program management to ensure packaging meets customer intent.
• Resourcefulness and Initiative: Ability to assess supplier and vendor capabilities against quality and packaging standards.

Working Conditions

• Physical Effort: Light physical work.
• Mental Effort: Performs a variety of complex, cross-functional tasks requiring problem-solving and coordination.
• Visual Effort: Must be able to read blueprints and CAD files on a computer.

Accountability

• Responsibility: Ensuring correct packaging that meets customer requirements, supporting on-time delivery and preventing material damage during transportation.
• Impact of Errors: Errors may result in efficiency reductions, unplanned overtime, expedite charges, and reduced vendor ratings — directly impacting existing and future business opportunities.
• Confidential Data: Access to short-term facility planning information and key production drawing data.