What are the responsibilities and job description for the Regional Packaging Engineering Manager position at TE Connectivity?
TE Automotive’ s Advanced Manufacturing and Process Development Group (AMPD) are seeking an innovative and results-driven Packaging Engineering Manager to lead our regional packaging engineering team. This role will oversee a team of direct reports, spearhead the development of cutting-edge packaging designs, and champion sustainability initiatives to enhance our environmental footprint. As the leader of our regional Center of Excellence (COE) for packaging best practices, this individual will also drive standardization, efficiency, and excellence in packaging solutions while collaborating with global teams in EMIA (Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa) and AP to benchmark and align strategies with minimal oversight. With a focus on leadership, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration, this role requires approximately 10-25% travel, primarily to our manufacturing facilities in Hermosillo and Empalme, Mexico.
Summary of Duties
- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of packaging engineers, technicians, and support staff, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear performance goals that align with BU and AMPD objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations and regular one-on-ones for direct reports.
- Allocate resources effectively to meet project deadlines and business objectives.
2. Innovative Packaging Design:
- Drive the design, development, and implementation of new and innovative packaging solutions that enhance product protection, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, product development, marketing, and operations) to ensure packaging aligns with product requirements and brand standards.
- Lead cost-estimation for NPI, capacity, sustaining, and localization projects through our LEANPD gate review process as it relates to packaging.
- Establish a new standard process for packaging costing with cross-functional collaboration that will speed up our quoting process that will provide necessary transparency and information to our PM’s and Finance teams.
- Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to integrate cutting-edge materials and designs into packaging strategies.
- Lead sustainability efforts by identifying and implementing eco-friendly packaging materials, reducing waste, and optimizing packaging processes to meet corporate environmental goals.
- Develop metrics to track sustainability improvements and report progress to senior leadership.
- Partner with our internal global packaging teams and suppliers to source sustainable materials and evaluate their feasibility for large-scale adoption.
- Establish and lead the regional COE for packaging best practices, setting the standard for design, testing, implementation, and sharing best practices across the organization.
- Drive, track, and maintain cost-savings and ready-to-deploy innovations and share best practices globally and regionally.
- Act as the Americas regional subject matter expert, providing technical guidance and support to internal teams and manufacturing sites.
What your background should look like:
- Interface with global packaging teams in EMIA and India to share insights, align on best practices, and benchmark performance against industry and organizational standards.
- Participate in global packaging forums and initiatives to ensure regional strategies contribute to the company’s worldwide objectives.
- Identify opportunities to adopt successful innovations from other regions into the local market.
- Provide technical expertise and leadership during packaging trials, validations, and production launches at our factories in Hermosillo and Empalme, Mexico.
- Travel approximately 10-20% of the time to support manufacturing operations, supplier visits, and global team engagements.
- Collaborate with plant managers and operations teams to troubleshoot packaging-related issues and implement corrective actions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Advanced degree or certifications (e.g., IoPP Certified Packaging Professional) a plus.
2. Experience:
- 5 years of experience in packaging engineering, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role managing direct reports.
- Proven track record of designing innovative packaging solutions and driving sustainability initiatives.
- Experience working with manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams in a regional or global capacity.
- Good computer skills a must (MS Office Suite, Office 360, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
- SAP experience a plus
- Automotive or Industrial experience preferred.
- Candidate must be able to obtain a valid Passport
- Good English communication (written and oral)
3. Skills & Competencies:
- Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire and develop a high-performing team.
- Expertise in packaging materials, design software (e.g., Artios-CAD, SolidWorks), and testing methodologies (e.g., ISTA, ASTM).
- Deep knowledge of sustainability principles and experience implementing ecofriendly packaging solutions is a plus but not required.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with global teams and stakeholders.
- Fluency in English required; proficiency in Spanish is a plus for interactions with Mexico-based teams.
- Travel Requirements: Willingness and ability to travel 10-25%, primarily to Hermosillo and Empalme, Mexico, with occasional international travel as needed.
- Experience leading a Center of Excellence or similar knowledge-sharing initiative is a plus.
- Familiarity with packaging regulations and standards in North America and global markets (e.g., AIAG, GALIA-EMIA) is preferred.
- Previous experience working with factories in Mexico or Latin America preferred.
Competencies
ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY
TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, renewable energy, automated factories, data centers, medical technology and more. With more than 85,000 employees, including 8,000 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries. TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS.
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $118,000 – 176,000 (subject to change dependent on physical location)
- Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. TE Connectivity reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualification of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
- Total Compensation = Base Salary Incentive(s) Benefits
BENEFITS
- A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and voluntary benefits.
EOE, Including Disability/Vets
Salary : $118,000 - $176,000
