Packaging Engineer

Relyans Max

Lapeer, MI

Estimated pay: Est. $18–$28/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

The Relyans Max Group is a leading supplier in the field of high-strength fasteners for mobility and beyond. We are technologically the world's leading manufacturer of high-strength fasteners and a leading partner for complex, cold-formed parts. In the automotive sector, our recipe for success is: finding solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow.

Packaging Engineer

**Grade:** 11

**Reports to:** Director, Operations Department: Customer Service

**Classification:** Salaried Exempt Division: Operations

**Date:** 10/8/2026 Approved: Director, Operations

JOB SUMMARY

The Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining packaging systems that ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of automotive fasteners throughout the manufacturing process and to customers. This position manages customer-supplied packaging assets (including STA totes and returnable containers), develops and maintains customer packaging specifications, and oversees the lifecycle of internal production bins used throughout manufacturing. The Packaging Engineer works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Purchasing, and customers to ensure compliance with customer requirements while minimizing packaging costs and improving operational efficiency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Customer Packaging Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain customer-specific packaging specifications, working within customer portals and customer/internal databse systems.
• Interpret and implement customer packaging standards and engineering requirements.
• Manage all customer-supplied returnable packaging assets, including STA totes, racks, trays, pallets, dunnage, and specialty containers.
• Coordinate procurement, tracking, repair, cleaning, and replacement of customer-owned packaging.
• Monitor inventory levels of customer returnable containers to prevent production interruptions.
• Coordinate packaging changes resulting from engineering changes or customer requests.
• Participate in customer packaging audits and support customer visits.

Packaging Design & Standardization

• Design and improve packaging solutions for automotive fasteners that maximize protection while minimizing cost.
• Establish specifications for:
• Packaging materials
• Carton and tote sizes
• Bagging requirements
• Taping methods
• Label placement
• Protective materials
• Dunnage
• Pallet configurations
• Stretch wrapping
• Weight limits
• Develop standard work instructions for packaging operations.
• Validate new packaging designs through production trials and transportation testing.

Production Bin Management

• Manage the inventory, condition, and utilization of all internal metal production bins used throughout manufacturing.
• Establish standards for metal bin application by process.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, replacement, and procurement of production bins.
• Optimize bin availability to support uninterrupted production.
• Develop systems for tracking production bins throughout the facility.
• Standardize bin identification and labeling.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce packaging costs through standardization and waste elimination.
• Troubleshoot problems and benchmark solutions.
• Monitor customer chargebacks, research the root cause, and suport any disputes.
• Lead packaging improvement projects utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Reduce packaging damage, scrap, and transportation-related quality concerns.
• Improve packaging ergonomics and operator safety.
• Support automation initiatives involving packaging and material handling.

Cross-Functional Support

• Work with Sales/Engineering during new product launches to develop production and customer packaging.
• Collaborate with Purchasing to source packaging materials and negotiate supplier costs.
• Support Logistics in optimizing freight utilization and container efficiency.
• Assist Quality with containment activities involving packaging concerns.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing to ensure packaging specifications are followed consistently.
• Train others on packaging requirements, solutions, and changes.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain packaging specifications, drawings, photographs, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with customer packaging manuals and automotive industry requirements.
• Maintain records of packaging validation and change history.
• Support IATF 16949, ISO 14001, MMOG, and customer-specific audits.
• Develop and maintain packaging-related KPIs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience may be considered.

Experience

• 3–5 years of packaging engineering or packaging management experience in automotive manu