Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Joseph Vargo

Davison,Mi

Summary

Packaging engineer with 20 years of automotive experience in aftersales and production operations. Strong focus on continuous improvement and development of best practices resulting in increase of efficiency and throughput. Well-versed in manufacturing processes and providing forward thinking strategies to achieve today's industry demands.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Packaging Engineer Systems and Processes/Operations Support

GM CCA
09.2014 - Current
  • Systems support SME for Global Package software.
  • Served as a subject matter expert for packaging-related inquiries from other departments, providing guidance and support as needed.
  • Develop reference and training documents.
  • Provided training to junior team members on best practices in package engineering techniques.
  • Create software simulations for training aids.
  • Design packaging and material specifications for new vehicle and accessory programs resulting in $350k annualized savings of material and labor within operations.
  • Coordinate packaging requirements with suppliers, SQE, DRE, ADI's, purchasing, supply chain and marketing for continuous quality improvement within accessory channel.
  • Test and validate packaging and materials in accordance with industry standards.
  • Create SPI's for operator consistency and quality within the processing centers.
  • Develop advanced queries using Global packaging system for data analysis.
  • Create task sheets to standardize IO design work to improve design process flow and damage reduction
  • Operations support.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations, maintaining up-to-date knowledge on packaging standards and guidelines.

Packaging Engineer

MSX International
09.2009 - 09.2014
  • Design packaging and material specifications for new vehicle and current model service parts for GM CCA.
  • Test and validate packaging and materials in accordance with industry standards.
  • Develop advanced queries using Global packaging system.
  • Coordinate packaging requirements with suppliers, purchasing and supply chain for continuous quality improvement.
  • Analyze and address packaging issues with high damage parts by creating 4PNL corrective action reports.
  • Create SPI's for operator consistency and quality.
  • Engineering support for operations.
  • Conducted thorough testing of packages to validate their performance under various conditions, ensuring reliability and durability during shipping and handling.
  • Provided technical support to manufacturing teams during package assembly process, troubleshooting issues as they arose.

Production Assembler

General Motors Flint Assembly
07.2006 - 10.2008
  • Containment team on final line ensuring continuous quality metrics were met during launch of GMT 900, including tailgate, fender and door fit.
  • Body shop team member on box, fender and cab lines.
  • Trained in 30+ positions on Trim I and II lines for absentee replacement.
  • Worked different stations to provide optimal coverage and meet production goals.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace, allowing for efficient workflow and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail while assembling intricate components, resulting in fewer defects and higher overall quality levels.
  • Collaborated with engineering team members to resolve technical issues that arose during the course of production activities.
  • Quickly adapted to new production methods and technologies, maximizing efficiency in the assembly process.

Packaging Engineer/Supervisor (Contract)

American Specialty Cars Lansing Trim Facility
11.2004 - 01.2005
  • Coordinated with GM CCA and suppliers to develop BOM's for expendable packaging of service and accessory parts exclusively for the Chevrolet SSR.
  • Supervised hourly employees to coordinate and consolidate current service model packaging.
  • Redesigned rack layout and organized parts bin locations allowing warehouse employees to efficiently pick product to fill service orders.
  • Optimized warehouse space utilization by designing efficient pallet patterns and stacking configurations.
  • Monitored and optimized production processes to increase throughput and improve quality.

Packaging Engineer (Contract)

Delphi Saginaw Steering
05.2004 - 11.2004
  • Packaging Engineer for steering columns and hydraulic pumps.
  • Liaison to General Motors, Toyota, Chrysler and Ford.
  • Worked in conjunction with customer and supplier to develop returnable dunnage for future model columns and pumps.
  • Coordinated with Environmental Engineer and Logistics to monitor and maintain dunnage for current production vehicles while reducing waste and reusing dunnage where applicable.
  • Generated $1+ million in cost savings reworking GMT 800 injection molded column trays for use with the GMT 900 program.
  • Responsible for calculating returnable loop based on program volumes.
  • Write RFQ's for procurement of returnable dunnage.
  • Generate PO documentation.
  • Create packaging instructions for operations.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize packaging solutions for new product launches.
  • Reduced packaging costs for the company through strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Packaging -

Michigan State University
05.2003

Skills

  • Sustainability knowledge
  • Vendor Relationship Management
  • Regulatory Compliance Awareness
  • Packaging Material Testing
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Manufacturing process understanding
  • Ergonomic design principles
  • Critical Thinking

Certification

A.I.R. Shipper/49CFR Certified for the Transportation of Hazardous Automotive Products

References

References are available on request.

Timeline

Packaging Engineer Systems and Processes/Operations Support

GM CCA
09.2014 - Current

Packaging Engineer

MSX International
09.2009 - 09.2014

Production Assembler

General Motors Flint Assembly
07.2006 - 10.2008

Packaging Engineer/Supervisor (Contract)

American Specialty Cars Lansing Trim Facility
11.2004 - 01.2005

Packaging Engineer (Contract)

Delphi Saginaw Steering
05.2004 - 11.2004

Bachelor of Science in Packaging -

Michigan State University

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