Packaging Engineer - VAVE

As an Advanced Packaging Engineer – VAVE within the Packaging Engineering team based in Bengaluru, India, you will collaborate with global cross-functional teams to develop innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions that enhance operational efficiency across the end-to-end supply chain.

Here, you will make an impact by:

• Leading Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives to identify and implement packaging cost optimization opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, suppliers, and distribution networks.
• Driving packaging optimization projects focused on unitization, pallet utilization, warehouse cube efficiency, and transportation optimization to improve overall supply chain performance.
• Collaborating with Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, R&D, Marketing, and external suppliers to deliver packaging improvements that reduce total cost while maintaining product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Designing, developing, and validating innovative packaging solutions by optimizing materials, structural designs, and packaging specifications to improve performance, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Leading investigations into packaging quality issues, transportation damage, and customer complaints by conducting root cause analysis and implementing robust corrective and preventive actions.
• Identifying and evaluating new packaging materials, technologies, and sustainable alternatives that support environmental goals while meeting business and regulatory requirements.
• Planning and executing packaging validation activities, including transportation and distribution testing, ensuring compliance with ISTA and internal packaging standards.
• Managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously while delivering results on schedule and within budget.
• Supporting global standardization initiatives and sharing best practices across business groups and manufacturing locations.

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M is looking for candidates who meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, packaging optimization, or VAVE within manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of transport packaging, protective packaging, packaging materials, and packaging design principles.
• Experience leading cost reduction and packaging optimization initiatives across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Knowledge of packaging validation methodologies and distribution testing standards (ISTA preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate technical and commercial trade-offs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Power BI.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Additional Qualifications That Could Help You Succeed Even Further:

• Demonstrated success in delivering VAVE or continuous improvement projects with measurable cost savings.
• Experience working with cross-functional global teams involving Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, and R&D.
• Hands-on knowledge of ISTA distribution testing, packaging validation, and transportation simulation testing.
• Experience using SAP, BPCS, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, ArtiosCAD, TOPS, CAPE Pack, or other packaging design and pallet optimization software.
• Strong understanding of corrugated packaging, plastics, paper-based materials, protective packaging, returnable packaging, and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Knowledge of packaging regulations, environmental compliance, recyclability, and circular economy initiatives.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Supply Chain principles.
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced global environment.
• Self-motivated with strong stakeholder management, influencing, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for innovation and developing customer-centric packaging solutions that balance performance, sustainability, and cost.