Industry leader in packaging solutions, is looking for a skilled materials engineer to join our Packaging team in Mexico. The Materials Engineering Manager will experience in packaging engineering and leverage their technical skills to interpret customers' packaging requirements, communicate the requirements to suppliers, assess supplier capabilities, and work with suppliers to ensure customers' requirements are met. This person will work cross-functionally with design, quality, sourcing, and sales teams to lead supplier-focused activities from new product introduction to mass production launch.

Job Responsibilities: 

·        Lead the technical execution of current and new packaging projects

·        Identify, select, and manage material suppliers to ensure viability and efficiency of designs

·        Interpret detailed technical specifications and communicate to suppliers

·        Provide technical assessment of current and potential supplier capabilities

·        Lead supplier capability validation and work with suppliers to enhance capabilities to meet customers' project requirements

·        Coordinate First Article Inspection (FAI) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews with suppliers

·        Provide alternative solutions to address DFM issues, including design changes and supplier process improvement changes

·        Interpret packaging tests with precision and thoroughness

·        Ensure supplier tooling, sampling, and prototyping schedules are executed on time and within specifications

·        Build and maintain open issues list with progress updates from various stakeholders to build accountability and adhere to project timelines

·        Ensure quality programs are implemented and all quality requirements are met. Communicate quality process results to Quality team and other key stakeholders

·        Collaborate with Sourcing team to identify and onboard new suppliers and negotiate cost savings

·        As required, participate in the conceptual creation of designs, considering aesthetic and functional aspects

·        Assist in the development and communication of strategic sourcing decisions.

Qualifications / Knowledge & Experience:

·        B.S. in Engineering – Industrial or Packaging

·        Packaging engineering / R&D / manufacturing experience required; preferably experience with corrugated, foams, films, wood, molded pulp and/or sustainable materials

·        Strong knowledge of engineering principles applied to the design, manufacture, and testing of packaging, including experience in FEA and DFM principles

·        Strong understanding of quality processes e.g. ISO 9001, and experience applying to packaging manufacturing processes

·        Demonstrated ability to design and deliver engineering-based solutions to solve complex problems

·        Strong technical and problem-solving skills

·        Intermediate data analysis skills

·        Excellent communication, project management, and organization skills

·        Flexible, adaptable and able to make decisions in a fast-paced, evolving environment

·        Experience leading through influence and working with cross-functional teams

Bilingual English and Spanish

Working Conditions:

?·        Office and supplier manufacturing environment

·        Up to 75% local travel to suppliers and customers

Non-traditional work hours / Flexible work schedule