Advanced Manufacturing – Process Engineering Leader

AJM Packaging Corporation; Southgate (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance (BCBS)

Dental Insurance

401 K Retirement Plan (with SafeHarbor

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance/Wellness Program

Paid Vacations

Job summary

AJM Packaging Corporation in Southgate, MI is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Process Engineering Leader to drive development and optimization of table-top product manufacturing processes across locations. You will lead automation strategy, benchmarking, and scale-up efforts, partnering with operations, engineering, suppliers, and leadership to deliver scalable, high-performance manufacturing systems.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, throughput, and OEE, with coaching of junior engineers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering required.
• Minimum 8 years hands-on experience with industrial machinery and advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Experience leading cross-location manufacturing initiatives.
• Knowledge of automation, PFMEA, ergonomics, and lean manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of advanced manufacturing strategies for new and existing table top products and conversion processes.
• Develop scalable manufacturing concepts focusing on safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and cost.
• Support manufacturing process optimization from concept through launch stabilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, labor optimization, equipment utilization, and operational stability.
• Lead benchmarking activities across locations.
• Research emerging manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, and best practices.

Skills

Advanced manufacturing

Automation strategy

Lean manufacturing

PFMEA

Line balancing

Ergonomics

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

MBA or related advanced degree beneficial

Job description

AJM Packaging Corporation

Southgate, MI

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Advanced Manufacturing Process Engineering Leader to lead the development, benchmarking, conversion and optimization of manufacturing processes for table top products (paper plates, cups, bowls) . This role will serve as a key technical leader focused on improving performance, operational efficiency, automation strategy, and manufacturing excellence across multiple locations.

The ideal candidate combines deep hands‑on manufacturing knowledge with a forward‑thinking mindset around automation, digital tools, and advanced engineering techniques. This individual will collaborate across operations, engineering, suppliers, integrators, and leadership teams to help shape the next generation of efficient, scalable manufacturing processes, and systems.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead development of advanced manufacturing strategies for new and existing table top paper products (paper plates, bowls, cups) and conversion processes.
• Develop scalable and efficient manufacturing concepts focused on safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and cost.
• Support manufacturing process optimization from early concept through launch stabilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, labor optimization, equipment utilization, and operational stability.
• Lead internal and external benchmarking activities across all locations.
• Research emerging manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, and best practices.
• Support successful launches of new manufacturing lines and processes.
• Critical contributor in defining and leading the technical manufacturing and process strategy for the manufacture of table top paper products.
• Provide technical direction on future‑state machinery, tooling, and related automation in driving manufacturing process innovation that drives improved OEE and quality through consistent, manufacturing processes.
• Drive analysis and improvement solutions for any process challenges in productivity, efficiency, uptime, SMED/setup, and maintenance by addressing interactions between machine, material, employee and auxiliaries.
• Lead network wide efforts to improve machinery and equipment, including cycle time, repeatability and reliability.
• Establish frameworks for diagnosing and resolving chronic, multi variable performance issues across all locations.
• Define and standardize machine setup philosophies and performance expectations across all plants.
• Support critical plant issues requiring advanced technical expertise and troubleshooting.
• Work collaboratively with AJM Advanced Engineering Group on machine/tooling/process launches.
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to junior process engineers and setup technicians across all locations in standardizing processes and implementing best practices while offering real time support on the production floor.
• Facilitate and lead continuous improvement activities through deployment of LEAN tools including structured problem solving, root cause analysis, variation reduction, value stream mapping, visual factory and standardized work.
• Drive and track key projects to completion.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Mechanical/Industrial Engineering degree (B. A.) from four‑year college or university, MBA or related advanced degree would be beneficial.
• Comprehensive high-speed manufacturing related experience, to include 8 years of direct and extensive hands‑on experience with industrial machines/equipment implementing advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Open‑minded and curious with a passion for continuous learning.
• Embraces emerging technologies to accelerate engineering capability.
• Strong team player who values collaboration across all levels of the organization.
• Principal-level technical leadership capability as an individual contributor.
• Strong understanding of automation, ergonomics, PFMEA, line balancing, and lean manufacturing.
• Excellent analysis and decision‑making capabilities.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to interact with a wide range of people.

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.