Total Cost of Ownership

Industrial Engineer III (Packaging) – Manufacturing, SAP, Lean, Material Flow | Eagle, WI

Industrial Engineer III – Packaging

πŸ“ Location: Eagle, Wisconsin (Onsite)
πŸ’Ό Employment Type: Full-Time
πŸŽ“ Education: Bachelor’s Degree required (Engineering or Industrial Technology)
πŸ“ˆ Experience Level: Mid-Senior
πŸ•’ Experience Required: 5–7+ years
🌎 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Not available
✈️ Travel: ~10% (occasional regional travel)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Industrial Engineer III (Packaging) to lead the development and optimization of supplier packaging and material presentation strategies for manufacturing operations.

This role is critical in ensuring efficient material flow, cost optimization, and protection of components during transit, working closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging Strategy & Optimization

  • Develop and implement supplier packaging standards and policies

  • Design packaging solutions to protect materials during transport and handling

  • Create packaging models supporting:

    • Plan for Every Part (PFEP)

    • Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

  • Establish monitoring systems to ensure supplier compliance

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs

  • Optimize material flow, layouts, and processes to improve operational performance

  • Implement lean principles and demand-driven strategies (flexibility, speed, responsiveness)

  • Identify and drive innovative solutions to improve business outcomes

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with engineering, quality, supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing teams

  • Work closely with shop floor personnel to improve processes and systems

  • Support new product introduction (NPI) by ensuring correct packaging specifications

Process Development & Documentation

  • Develop and validate:

    • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

    • Work Instructions

    • Test methods and capability studies

  • Provide training and guidance on packaging processes

  • Ensure proper material preservation standards for service requirements

Supplier & Material Flow Management

  • Travel to supplier locations to assess inbound material handling and packaging needs

  • Design processes for inter-facility material transfers (e.g., sheet metal components)

  • Ensure materials arrive production-ready (paint, storage, assembly, etc.)

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Industrial Technology

  • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering environments

  • Experience with process improvement and material flow optimization

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with ERP systems (SAP / SAP Business Objects)

  • Proficiency in CAD tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ProE)

  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles

  • Experience in high-mix/low-volume and high-volume/low-mix environments

  • Background in project management (certification preferred)

  • Experience in training, coaching, or mentoring teams

  • Strong statistical analysis skills

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on industrial/packaging engineer who:

  • Has strong experience in material handling and supplier packaging design

  • Understands manufacturing environments and inter-facility logistics

  • Can develop practical, scalable packaging solutions (not consumer packaging)

  • Is comfortable working both strategically and on the shop floor

  • Has experience creating processes to protect industrial components in transit

  • Thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment

Physical Requirements

  • Regular standing, walking, and use of hands

  • Occasional lifting (25–50 lbs)

  • Periods of computer-based work

  • Occasional bending, reaching, and shop floor activity

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package

  • Health, dental, and vision coverage

  • Retirement plans

  • Paid time off

  • Additional employee benefits

Screening Questions

  • Can you describe your experience with material planning, packaging, and delivery workflows?

  • Have you created work instructions or SOPs for packaging or manufacturing processes?

  • What experience do you have with ERP systems (e.g., SAP)?

  • How have you collaborated with production teams to improve processes?

  • What is driving your interest in a new opportunity?

 

Category Manager – Subcontracting (Outsourced Manufacturing) | Manufacturing Procurement

Job Title:
Category Manager – Subcontracting (Outsourced Manufacturing)

Location:
Multiple Locations (Hybrid – Office and Remote Work)
Magnolia, AK – Industry, CA – Saint Augustine, FL – Rosemont, IL – Connersville or Elkhart, IN – Delhi, LA – Monett, MO – Sidney, OH – The Dalles, OR – Lancaster County – Mountain Top or Pittsburgh, PA – Yankton, SD – Spanish Fork, UT

Industry:
Manufacturing & Production

Job Category:
Engineering – Industrial / Manufacturing

Job Summary:

The Category Manager – Subcontracting (Outsourced Manufacturing) is responsible for overseeing procurement activities for external vendors providing surface treatment (anodizing, coating) and fabrication services. This position plays a key role within the central procurement team, working closely with internal stakeholders such as supply chain, operations, finance, and sales, as well as business unit and plant procurement teams. The role will have a primary focus on North America while collaborating with teams across multiple business units.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or plant operations (10+ years preferred).

  • Experience managing subcontracting (outsourced manufacturing) categories.

  • Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams.

  • Proven ability to develop strategic approaches to spend categories and supply bases.

  • Ability to travel up to 30% as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office and video conferencing tools.

  • Experience with Should-Cost Modeling, Total Cost of Ownership, and ROI analysis.

  • Strong analytical skills, including expertise in creating and managing complex spreadsheets.

  • Experience with business operating systems such as Oracle or SAP.

  • Certification(s) such as CPSM, CPSD, or C.P.M. preferred.

Job Responsibilities:

Category Strategy Development and Implementation

  • Define category strategies using supply market intelligence, vendor knowledge, and procurement best practices.

  • Lead procurement category deployment and supplier management to align with business strategies and minimize total cost of ownership (TCO).

  • Prioritize internal production capacity before considering external suppliers, ensuring optimal plant utilization.

  • Collaborate with stakeholders across procurement, supply chain, operations, finance, and sales to drive cost reduction strategies while ensuring vendor compliance with capacity, service levels, and safety requirements.

  • Monitor and enforce compliance with category strategies, taking corrective actions as necessary.

Supplier Relationship Management

  • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to establish competitive sourcing environments.

  • Conduct fact-based negotiations based on supplier and industry analysis, benchmarks, and cost structures.

  • Establish long-term contractual agreements with strong commercial and legal terms.

  • Implement supplier performance management through Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

  • Develop tools to support plant procurement teams in negotiating with local subcontracting vendors.

Cost Optimization and Process Improvements

  • Act as a leader in managing total cost of ownership (TCO) within the category.

  • Identify and lead initiatives related to specification, demand, and process improvements.

  • Continuously assess internal production versus external sourcing opportunities to optimize cost and capacity.

  • Measure and track category performance to identify opportunities for further efficiencies.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Base Salary: $140,000 – $150,000 USD

  • Relocation Assistance: Possible for ideal candidate

  • Bonus Eligible: No

  • Overtime Eligible: No

  • Travel Reimbursement: Yes

  • Full Benefits Package

Ideal Candidate Profile:

  • Not a traditional buyer role; requires expertise in outsourced manufacturing and supplier engagement.

  • Strong analytical mindset with experience in change management.

  • Ability to develop and execute supplier strategies while optimizing costs.

  • Travel up to 30% required.

This organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.