Engineering Director - Manufacturing, Technology & Infrastructure at AJM Packaging Corporation in Detroit, Michigan

Job Description:

Engineering Director - Manufacturing, Technology & Infrastructure

AJM Packaging Corporation

Detroit, MI

Salary: $175,000 - $250,000

Bonus: Performance Based

Position Overview –

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of the nation’s leading paper product manufacturers of a broad range of paper products, is conducting a nationwide search for a talented professional to lead its Corporate Engineering Operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and domiciled at our Technology and Innovation Center located in Detroit, Michigan, this position will be responsible for leading the design, development, fabrication, optimization, and implementation of our manufacturing processes and equipment.

In addition to meeting the “minimum requirements” listed below, the successful candidate will be responsible for driving the implementation and installation of comprehensive automation strategies across all plants, to assist in driving continuous improvement, cost savings, and quality. You will lead the Engineering Organization while incorporating the newest technologies, resolving engineering issues improving overall efficiency.  This role will also be responsible for projects related to the facility modification and/or construction to accommodate and expand our manufacturing footprint and capabilities.

Responsibilities and Duties include –

• Manage a group of highly talented ~ 45-50 Program Managers, Engineers, tradesman, and fabrication personnel.


• Oversee and manage all elements of the design, development, manufacture, process verification, and validation of existing and new company wide production equipment.


• Coordinate and manage the team to consistently meet all company objectives while ensuring production schedules are minimally disrupted.


• Responsible for research, design, development and implementation of new technologies. Defines technical requirements while overseeing the development of critical machinery and components, leading design reviews, sourcing key materials, and managing rigorous testing of manufacturing systems.


• Develop policies and procedures to guide workflow, define quality standards, and ensure compliance with industry and safety regulations.


• Coordinate and evaluate vendors to help drive cost savings while facilitating a reliable and consistent production schedule.


• Plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building enhancements, expansions and infrastructure projects.


• Analyze the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects including assessing and testing materials.


• Perform the necessary data collection and calculations in areas such as environmental, traffic forecasting, soil capacity, groundwater analysis, and structure design.


• Estimate costs including personnel and material needs, prepare proposals, and establish completion dates. Assist in inspecting and rotating out aging infrastructure or overseeing current manufacturing improvement projects.


• Conduct and leverage “value engineering” methodologies to enhance product(s) for manufacturability and quality.


• Conduct research on emerging technologies and recommend technologies that will increase cost effectiveness and systems flexibility. Implement industry best practices and cutting-edge technologies in mechanical/process/automation engineering, ensuring excellence in research, design, analysis/simulation, and manufacturing adoption.


• Drive enhancements to product performance by supporting manufacturing and quality functions. Addresses field, production and warranty issues and update and enhance product designs as required.


• Grow engineering talent through training, role rotations, customer interactions, presentation skills, coaching on analysis and engineering processes and exposure to new technologies. Act as a hands-on mentor to the team, fostering a collaborative work environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and professional growth.


• Manage experienced technical managers that lead and provide operations technical support for new products, equipment, process, and technology development, transfer and launch. Includes the sustained manufacturing and validated state of all products, processes, equipment, and technologies post-transfer. Scope includes technical activities such as: operations requirements and specifications, design for manufacturing, writing specifications and SOP’s, validation strategy and planning, qualifications and validations, process monitoring, and the coordination of new launch builds.


• Serve as operations subject matter expert on machine builds, features and process requirements. Ensures the identification of improvement opportunities and the development of business cases, strategies, plans, timelines, and budgets for execution.


• Active partner with Operations, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure customer satisfaction with both product quality, availability and compliance with the manufacturing processes, providing support for regulatory filings, and ensuring the robustness of the processes.


• Establish departmental operating policies and procedures. Creates and manages budgets for the Engineering teams. Sets departmental goals. Coaches and develops team performance as well as individual’s performance.


• Completes all other special project duties as deemed necessary

Minimum Requirements –

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Mechatronics Engineering or a related discipline, MBA is highly desirable.


• Requires minimum 10 years’ experience in advanced manufacturing systems and equipment engineering for high-speed manufacturing operations.


• Hands-on experience in manufacturing & system testing, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure mitigation strategies.


• Demonstrated experience in securing/improving OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) of process equipment including the improvement of MTBF (mean time between faults/failure) and reduction in MTTR (mean time between repairs).

Benefits -

At AJM, our comprehensive “Cafeteria Benefits Plan” and “Flexible Spending Arrangement” (FSA), truly sets us apart from the competition.  Under the cafeteria plan you’ll receive a comprehensive package of company paid medical, dental, optical, life and disability insurance coverage.

Summary of Benefits –

• Medical Insurance (BCBS)


• Dental Insurance


• Optical Insurance


• Life Insurance


• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance


• Cafeteria Benefits Plan


• Flexible Spending Agreement


• Health Savings Account


• Child & Dependent Care Savings Account


• 401 K Retirement Plan (with Safe Harbor Company Match)


• Tuition Assistance


• Employee Assistance/Wellness Program


• Paid Vacations


• Paid Holiday


• Paid Sick & Personal Time


• Professional Development Program (AJM University)

About Us -

AJM was originally founded as a distributor of commercial paper, plastic and foil packaging products and related cleaning, janitorial and order processing supplies and equipment by three (3) Detroit area brothers operating out of a small warehouse in Detroit’s Eastern Market.  In 1957 they built and moved into slightly larger quarters on Detroit’s southwest side, where, for the very first time, they began manufacturing their own products.   Over the ensuing decades, AJM gradually evolved from its broadline distributor beginnings into a major paper products manufacturer, today employing nearly 3,000 people and operating eight (8) manufacturing and five (5) warehouse/distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States.  

Some things have undoubtedly changed since AJM was founded, but the company’s commitment to its customers and employees, alike, has not wavered and is deeply embedded in its DNA.  So, too, is the founding brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit, “can do” attitude and singular focus on the value proposition that has fueled the company’s success from the very beginning.  We’re still family owned and operated, still manufacturing our products in the good old USA and still providing our customers with the same reliable service and quality products they’ve come to expect from AJM for more than 75 years now.    

Career Development -

At AJM, we realize we will only go as far as our employees can take us and, for that reason, we invest millions of dollars every year on both classroom and on-the-job training to develop our employees’ skills and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.  There are no barriers to impede your progress here and no ceilings to halt your advance.  You’ll control your own destiny, and we will help you reach your full potential with both in-house development programs and tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level college studies.  Join our team and see where your AJM journey takes you!

For More Information -

Visit our website at www.ajmpack.com

AJM Packaging Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or other legally protected status.

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