Program Manager - Strategic Packaging

GE Aerospace; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Aerospace is seeking a senior packaging program leader to drive a global transformation of our packaging portfolio. You will shape strategy, coordinate design and validation, and partner with manufacturing, logistics, and suppliers to implement new standards while addressing regulatory requirements.

Focus areas include material reduction, recyclability, and cost optimization, with leadership across sites and regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or Supply Chain.
• Advanced degree or PMP/Prince2 is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years in program/project management or transformation roles.
• Experience with packaging design and validation in manufacturing or distribution.
• Familiarity with EU PPWR, EPR schemes, and US packaging regulations.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, multi-site programs.
• Proficiency with MS Project/Smartsheet; data/analytics skills (Excel, SQL/BI).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and vendor negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global Strategic Packaging Program: scope, roadmap, milestones, governance.
• Translate regulatory requirements into a packaging transformation strategy and plan.
• Guide compliant packaging designs and global standards with product/quality teams.
• Coordinate packaging changes across manufacturing, distribution, and logistics.
• Drive material reduction, cube optimization, and reusable/recyclable content.
• Lead change management, training, and adoption of new packaging standards.
• Define and track KPIs and support senior leadership reporting.

Skills

Packaging Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Materials Science

Supply Chain

PMP/Prince2

Program management

Packaging design

Regulatory awareness

Cross-functional leadership

MS Project

Smartsheet

Excel

SQL/BI

Education

Packaging Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Materials Science

Supply Chain

PMP/Prince2

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Excel

SQL/BI

Job description

Job Description Summary

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!

Job Description Summary

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world! GE Aerospace is undertaking a major, business-wide transformation as it relates to our packaging portfolio and the emerging regulatory landscape, most notably the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and California SB 54. These requirements will impact packaging design, materials, recyclability, reporting, and extended producer responsibility across all products, sites, and channels.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global Strategic Packaging Program. Define scope, roadmap, milestones, dependencies, and governance. Run steering forums, manage risks/issues, and ensure alignment across businesses and regions.


• Translate global regulatory requirements into a coherent packaging transformation strategy and implementation plan.


• In partnership with product/quality teams, guide the development of compliant packaging designs and global standards. Ensure new specifications (materials, structures, recyclability criteria, test protocols) protect product integrity, safety, and customer experience while meeting regulatory thresholds.


• Coordinate design, validation, and rollout of packaging changes across manufacturing, MRO, spares distribution, and logistics. Collaborate with suppliers to implement new packaging standards, support trials and qualifications, and resolve technical and operational issues.


• Drive continuous improvement in packaging: material reduction, cube and freight optimization, standardization of packaging families, increased use of reusables and recyclable content, and reduction of total landed cost.


• Lead change management for the packaging transformation. Assess impacts by product, site, and role; develop communication and training plans; coordinate training content with packaging and operations experts; and ensure new packaging standards are understood, adopted, and sustained at sites and with suppliers.


• Define and track key program KPIs, including compliance status by market/product, packaging material mix and recyclability, EPR and fee impacts, damage/quality metrics, and cost performance. Provide regular updates to senior leadership and support external reporting needs as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Supply Chain, or related field; advanced degree or PMP/Prince2 a plus (or a high school diploma/GED with a minimum of 4 years packaging, product engineering, supply chain/logistics, or operations experience)


• Minimum 5 years of experience in program/project management or transformation roles.


• Demonstrated experience with packaging design and validation (materials, structural design, cushioning, testing) in a manufacturing or distribution environment.


• Familiarity with packaging-related regulatory requirements (preferably EU packaging/PPWR, EPR schemes, and/or US state-level packaging regulations).


• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, multi-site or multi-region programs, managing scope, schedule, risks, and stakeholders.


• Proficiency with project tools (e.g., MS Project/Smartsheet), data/analytics (Excel, SQL/BI a plus), and process mapping.


• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and vendor negotiation skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, industrial, or similarly high-value and regulated industries.


• Prior involvement in programs addressing sustainability, circularity, or extended producer responsibility.


• Familiarity with logistics operations and systems (ERP, WMS, TMS) and how packaging affects storage, handling, and transport.


• Exposure to continuous improvement/lean methods applied to packaging, logistics, or manufacturing.

Competencies

• Strategic planning and execution


• Risk management and issue resolution


• Technical credibility


• Systems integration and data readiness


• Compliance- and risk-aware


• Customer- and quality-focused


• Data-driven and improvement-oriented


• Clear, concise communication

GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes