Lead Industrial Packaging Engineer

Hey, we're Article. We're a digital-first furniture brand that's working to make everyday living better by providing an easy way for people to furnish their space. We don't have brick and mortar stores, so we're able to deliver better value on beautiful, modern furniture. Recently named one of Canada's fastest growing companies for the second year in a row, we're on the hunt for talented, enthusiastic team members to join us at our headquarters in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.
We're looking for a Lead Industrial Packaging Engineer to develop high quality, functional and innovative packaging solutions for our furniture, developing excellent internal cross functional relationships as well as external vendor partnerships to facilitate the successful execution of packaging considering all aspects from end to end, globally.
With a deep understanding of the Article brand, the North American Furniture market and packaging requirements, you will lead best practices and apply your expertise on packaging standards, materials, constructions, manufacturing capabilities, and value engineering solutions.
The Lead Industrial Packaging Engineer is an essential contribution to the Article team.
Responsibilities and daily tasks include:
Roles and Responsibilities
- Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of Articles Packaging Standard for internal and external users.
- Drive global standardization of packaging design, materials, and constructions.
- Conduct industry research, collaborate cross functionally and constantly pursue innovative packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact, and minimize costs without compromising quality.
- Ensure Article Packaging protects our product, meets quality and compliance standards and supports safe handling, container optimization and reduces inefficiencies from factory to customer.
- Collaborate cross functionally regarding packaging design, troubleshooting, logistics issues and testing validation
- Lead the execution of proposed detailed packaging models, technical drawings and bill of materials (BOM) using Solidworks, based on concept models or technical drawings created by Product Design and Industrial - - Engineering teams as well via physical samples or Vendor detail.
- Estimate and analyze the current cost of packaging by means of Article-generated BOM. Validate these costs with actual finished goods vendor costing and provide recommendations for value engineering solutions on current and future packaging design.
- (Future) In partnership with Sourcing, provide expert technical support towards the evaluation of nominating packaging raw material vendors and the evaluation of alternative packaging material suppliers.
- Work cross functionally with Compliance, Finance and manage Article accounts with Provincial / State recycling authorities to assure compliance, report sales data and validate applicable recycling fees.
- Estimate category global packaging data to assist cross functional partners in identifying cost improvement opportunities and to validating cost
- Document and validate Article and Vendor packaging solutions that comply with Article standards, guidance and regulations to form a full Packaging Specification (Part of PINFO)
- Create a methodology to assess and implement improvements to products with high packaging defect rates and improve Articles Packaging Standard with lessons learned.
- Look for new ways to delight customers and ease the unboxing experience