PACKAGING AND LOGISTICS ENGINEER

KNDS DEFENCE UK LIMITED; Stockport; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Half-day Friday

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Sick pay scheme

Additional Holidays & Long Service

Wellbeing initiatives

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Free on-site car parking

EV charging points

Job summary

KNDS UK is seeking a Packaging and Logistics Engineer to optimise materials movement, packaging, and internal flow for Boxer MIV and Bridge systems at Stockport. You will drive PFEP implementation, lean improvements, and cost reductions while coordinating with German manufacturing standards.

You will lead packaging design, supplier management, and demand forecasting, ensuring safe transport, compliant documentation, and efficient shopfloor operations across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or equivalent in mechanical/manufacturing/logistics engineering.
• Experience in complex manufacturing or heavy engineering environments.
• Proven track record in inbound/outbound packaging solutions and packaging suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead PFEP database and packaging solutions for inbound materials and internal material flow.
• Collaborate with MP&L to ensure safe, efficient packaging and transport across the supply chain.
• Design and implement returnable packaging loops to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Standardise packaging formats and suppliers to reduce complexity and costs.
• Configure Kanban levels, storage locations, labeling, and lot sizes.

Skills

PFEP knowledge

Lean manufacturing

SAP ERP

Packaging design

Materials flow optimization

Shop floor presence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Logistics Engineering

Tools

SAP

PFEP software

Excel

Job description

We currently have an opportunity for a Packaging and Logistics Engineer

About KNDS UK:

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.
We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management and Business Support functions.
As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines and currently have this opportunity available.

About the role:

The primary purpose of this role is to support the MP&L (Materials, Planning, and Logistics) function to optimise the movement, storage, and protection of materials for Boxer MIV and Bridge systems. The role support the Plan for Every Part (PFEP) methodology, developing documented packaging solutions for inbound materials and products, and ensuring efficient internal movement of material across the site. The engineer will spearhead lean principles to reduce waste, maintain accurate engineering and logistics documentation, and deliver ongoing cost savings

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and maintain the PFEP database. Develop, test, and implement packaging solutions for inbound materials, subassemblies, finished goods, and internal material flow. Scope and introduce stillages to improve space utilisation and part protection.

• Work closely with MP&L teams to ensure safe, efficient packaging and transport solutions across the supply chain.

• Identify, design, and implement internal and external returnable packaging loops that support operational efficiency and commercial value.

• Standardise packaging formats and suppliers to reduce complexity, improve consistency, and unlock cost savings.

• Configure and optimise Kanban levels, storage locations, labelling standards, and lot sizes to support smooth and reliable material flow.

• Manage packaging inventory to ensure availability for production while minimising floorspace usage and overheads.

• Track packaging and logistics KPIs to identify bottlenecks, highlight risks, and drive continuous improvement.

• Act as the packaging and materialflow focal point within AIT. Work with colleagues in Germany to align standards and embed shared best practice at KNDS Stockport.

• Lead structured problemsolving and improvement activities during rampup and steadystate production. Reduce logistics waste, optimise shopfloor footprints, and shape lineside presentation standards.

• Provide earlystage input to engineering and product development to ensure components are designed for safe transport, efficient unpacking, and optimal storage while meeting quality, environmental, and cost targets.

• Create and maintain SOPs, materialflow diagrams, and packaging specifications. Ensure BOM and ERP data is accurate and up to date.

What we’re looking for:

Candidates must have the following essential qualifications and experience:

• Ideally educated to Bachelor level or equivalent in a Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Logistics Engineering discipline, OR an HND / Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship with equivalent industrial experience.

• Technical skillset developed in complex manufacturing or heavy engineering environments.

• Proven track record of developing inbound/outbound packaging solutions, managing packaging suppliers, and optimizing internal material flow strategies.

• Core understanding of PFEP (Plan for Every Part) methodology and lean manufacturing principles (waste reduction, 5S, line-side presentation).

• Proficient key user of critical logistics and ERP platforms, including advanced operation within SAP.

• Experience managing logistics configurations such as Kanban loops, storage mapping, and lot sizing.

• Experience in a similar role within an industrial, automotive, or aerospace environment.

• Understanding of Engineering Change processes and their impact on logistics/packaging.

The following are desirable:

• Experience working within a complex, international corporate structure (ideally coordinating with German manufacturing footprints).

• Direct experience with heavy fabrication, armored vehicle manufacturing, or defense sector logistics.

• Formally trained in advanced SAP logistics or manufacturing modules.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the followingskills and aptitudes:

• Hands-on approach with a strong presence on the shopfloor to support operational teams.

• Flexible attitude capable of adapting to changing production rates and scaling requirements.

• Strong data/information management and presentation skillset (Excel, PFEP software, etc.).

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills with commercial and business awareness regarding freight and packaging costs.

Why you should join us:

When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary

• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)

• Half-day Friday

• Life assurance scheme

• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Additional Holidays & Long Service rewards

• Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday's

• Cycle-to-work Scheme

• Free on-site car parking

• On-site electric vehicle charging points

We're also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.

If you are passionate about Engineering and eager to contribute to a thriving workplace environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

We look forward to receiving your application!