Material Flow and Packaging Engineer

IMG Material Flow and Packaging Engineer

This position will be responsible to provide upfront engineering & analysis, Forward Model Study Costing & Implementation to leadership for assigned IMG regional programs.  
Ensure Packaging functional responsibilities are completed on time and program launch within affordable business targets.

Position Purpose (Overview of the position)

This position will be responsible to provide upfront engineering & analysis, Forward Model Study Costing to leadership for assigned IMG regional programs. 

Ensure Packaging functional responsibilities are completed on time and program launch within affordable business targets.

 

Major Responsibilities:

Study & Implementation Packaging Forward Model

• Develop Packaging Design & deliver Packaging and MFE design concepts of Ford Owned for IMG and Critical supplier Owned dunnage for Pre-PA studies and Post PA Implementation

• Collaborate with MFE and PKG team across all regions to understand their Design Requirements and Identify opportunity to expand.

• Collaborate with Suppliers, VOME/PTME, Purchasing, MSAP & Process teams to Ensure Design Signoff and Implement

• Develop PKG Design Standard and Guidelines for Ford Owned Dunnage’s 

• Benchmark OEMs Automation strategy (Auto OEMs/ Retail sector/Best in industry) for best practices to enhance Ford Design Standards

• Ensure the identification of lessons learned and their application to subsequent programs.

• Ensure cost is being captured in the forward model aligned with Purchasing.

• Design and propose on packaging satisfying safety/ ergo - verified virtually on study programs with cost.

• Propose cost effective packaging on new model study & Design for logistic & Implement

• Validate business case and include in programs for returnable strategy where possible.

• Packaging Implementation per launch plan and ensure readiness & meet LQOS requirement

• Collaborate with Suppliers on design readiness validation & execution for full fleet for assigned market. 

   

Strategy & Standards: 

• Define and maintain standards for packaging architectures (container families, rack standards, protection standards, labelling / traceability standards).

• Drive standardization and reuse across multiple product families and manufacturing areas to reduce complexity and lifecycle cost.

• Define site standards for automation-compatible packaging and presentation (container family rules, rack interface requirements, identification/label orientation, and drop-zone standards).

 

Risk Management & Business Continuity: 

• Establish contingency plans for container shortages, supplier disruptions, and logistics disruptions.

• Define controls relevant to Chennai/India conditions (humidity/monsoon exposure risk, corrosion prevention escalation, yard-handling rules where applicable).

   

Strategic Supplier and Partner Leadership: 

• Lead technical engagement with strategic packaging suppliers, pool providers, and logistics partners; support technical terms in contracts and performance metrics.

• Drive supplier capability upgrades through standards, audits, and development plans.

   

Capability Building: 

• Build Packaging engineering capability: training plans, templates, technical playbooks, lessons learned, and mentoring structure across team

• Build site capability in analytics-led (standard dashboards, common KPIs, audit approach) and enable training on digital/automation fundamentals for team

Executive Communication: 

• Present Packaging status, risks, roadmap, and key decisions to leadership and regional stakeholders; align priorities across functions.

TVM

• Identify and Drive team to identify cost efficiency thru Pack Design or Strategy Change

• Develop End to End Business case and align with all Stakeholders. 

• Lead End to End Implementation of Identified TVM opportunities

Others

• Strategic thinking with practical execution orientation.

• Strong influencing skills across functions and external partners.

• High accountability, integrity, and disciplined decision-making.

• Develops people and builds sustainable systems.

• Deep expertise in returnable packaging systems, lifecycle management, and plant logistics interfaces.

• Strong governance mindset and risk management capability.

• Commercial acumen (total cost ownership, supplier performance management).

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Production, Packaging Engineering, or a related field.

• 6 ~8 years of experience in packaging and material flow related areas

• Strong knowledge in tools like MRP , eWMS, MS Office, AutoCAD, CATIA, Team Center, Pack Assist

• Strong Presentation Skills 

• Solid understanding of Launch Process from PS to J1

• Familiarity with packaging automation systems 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to interact effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues.

 

Additional Preferred Qualifications / Experience

• Experience with cloud-based platforms and data analytics.

• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Project management experience.

• Strong business acumen and understanding of ROI analysis.

Experience Level

Senior Level