Design / Production Coordinator
Luxaire — A Division of Tavens Packaging and Display
Reports To:
General Manager
Classification:
Full-Time / Exempt
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Design / Production Coordinator at Luxaire is the technical owner of our packaging solutions. In this hands-on role, you will develop foam, corrugated, and returnable plastic packaging from concept through production including CAD design, prototyping, sample creation, performance testing, specification creation, and cross-functional launch support. Your work directly determines whether a package protects the product, fits the process, and earns its cost.
You will partner with sales, customer service, manufacturing, and operations to optimize material usage, manufacturability, and total cost while delivering designs that reflect our core values: Think Different, Unapologetically Transparent, and Do Hard Things.
THE 3 THINGS: DESIGN / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
In addition to Tavens' company-wide core values, the Design / Production Coordinator role is guided by three foundational priorities that define how we deliver packaging solutions every day:
1
DESIGN WITH PURPOSE
Every design must protect the product, fit the process, and earn its cost. Solve real packaging problems — not just draw boxes.
2
MANUFACTURABILITY FIRST
If it can't run on the floor, it isn't done. Partner with production early so designs scale cleanly from prototype to mass production.
3
OWN IT END-TO-END
Concept, CAD, prototype, sample, test, spec, launch. The designer owns the package from idea through first article and into production.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Packaging Design & Development
- Design corrugated, foam, and returnable plastic packaging solutions that meet customer, product-protection, and logistics requirements.
- Own all aspects of new and revised package designs, including concept development, prototype development, sample creation, and performance testing.
- Create, interpret, and analyze technical drawings for new and existing designs.
- Use CAD software (Artios CAD preferred) and CNC rapid prototyping equipment to create designs, build prototypes, and present concepts for customer review.
- Review production processes within proposed designs to optimize cost effectiveness, material usage, and production efficiency.
2. Prototyping, Sampling & Testing
- Operate CAD-based manufacturing machinery (sample tables, CNC routers) to create samples, first articles, and short-run production support.
- Build prototypes that accurately represent the production design for customer review and internal validation.
- Conduct fit, function, and performance checks on samples to confirm designs meet product-protection requirements before release.
- Coordinate first-article approvals with customers, sales, and manufacturing to ensure clean transitions from prototype to production.
- Document prototype iterations, test results, and design decisions to support traceability and future revisions.
3. Specifications, ERP & Documentation
- Prepare accurate packaging specifications in the ERP system (Encore) to support estimating, quoting, and production.
- Create and maintain item masters, bills of material, and routing information for new and revised designs.
- Maintain organized, current design files including drawings, samples, test data, and revision history.
- Update specifications and documentation when designs change to ensure estimating and production work from accurate information.
- Support quoting and estimating teams with technical input on materials, tooling, and manufacturing approach.
4. Production Coordination & Cross-Functional Support
- Partner with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure designs are scalable and convert cleanly to mass production.
- Coordinate with production scheduling on prototype and first-article runs to minimize disruption to standard production.
- Support sales and customer service with technical answers, design reviews, and material recommendations.
- Participate in customer-facing design reviews, presenting concepts clearly and incorporating feedback into iterations.
- Identify design-for-manufacturability improvements on existing items and lead revisions that reduce cost or improve performance.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING
Design & CAD Knowledge
- Working knowledge of CAD software (Artios CAD preferred) and ability to produce clear, accurate technical drawings.
- Understanding of corrugated, foam, and returnable plastic design principles and how each material behaves in distribution.
- Ability to spec a Regular Slotted Container (RSC) and other standard box styles with proper dimensions.
- Ability to read and use a tape measure accurately and convert measurements between decimals and fractions.
- Understanding of tooling requirements and how they impact production cost and lead time.
Prototyping & Manufacturing Knowledge
- Experience using CNC rapid prototyping for sample and prototype creation, or strong aptitude to learn quickly.
- Understanding of manufacturing constraints and design-for-manufacturability principles for corrugated, foam, and plastic processes.
- Familiarity with performance testing methods such as fit and function checks, distribution simulation, and basic material/strength considerations.
- Understanding of Luxaire foam capabilities, foam grades, and fabrication processes.
- Knowledge of corrugated capabilities including board grades, fluting, basis weight, joining methods, and standard converting operations.
Systems & Tools
- Experience working within an ERP environment to create and maintain item masters and specifications (Encore experience a plus).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
Company Culture & Values
- Thorough understanding of Tavens' mission to solve complex packaging problems.
Embody and communicate our core values: Think Different, Unapologetically Transparent, and Do Hard Things.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Working knowledge of CAD software (Artios CAD preferred) and ability to produce clear, accurate technical drawings.
- Experience using computer tools such as CNC rapid prototyping for sample and prototype creation, or strong aptitude to learn quickly.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects from concept through testing and release.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to present designs to customers and work effectively with manufacturing.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Preferred
- Packaging industry experience with foam fabrication.
- Familiarity with performance testing methods (fit/function checks, distribution simulation, basic material/strength considerations).
- Experience working within an ERP environment to create and maintain item masters and specifications.
- Understanding of manufacturing constraints, tooling considerations, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
- Experience designing returnable plastic packaging or dunnage.
PERFORMANCE METRICS
Metric
Target
Design Quality
Designs meet product-protection, customer, and logistics requirements on first prototype review
Manufacturability
≥ 95% of released designs convert to production without rework or redesign
Project Throughput
On-time completion of design milestones (concept, prototype, sample, release) to committed dates
Specification Accuracy
100% of ERP specs complete and accurate; no estimating or production holds caused by spec errors
Prototype & Sample Quality
Samples and first articles pass fit/function and customer review on first submission
Material & Cost Optimization
Demonstrated material/cost reductions on revised designs without compromising performance
CAD Proficiency (Artios)
Demonstrated competency in Artios CAD and CNC sample-making within 90 days of hire
Customer Presentation
Clear, professional design reviews; positive feedback from sales and customers
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Positive feedback from manufacturing, operations, sales, and customer service teams
Documentation
Drawings, specs, and revision history complete and current in ERP and design files
Continuous Improvement
Active participation in design-for-manufacturability and process improvement initiatives
The Design / Production Coordinator role is the technical foundation of Luxaire's packaging engineering track. Designers who demonstrate strong CAD and prototyping skills, design judgment, manufacturability discipline, and cross-functional partnership are natural candidates for advancement to Senior Packaging Designer and, ultimately, design engineering leadership. Tavens is committed to developing technical talent from within, and this role is designed to build the foundation for a long and rewarding career in packaging design and engineering.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Every Luxaire foam, corrugated, and returnable plastic package begins on the Design / Production Coordinator's screen. Your designs are the moment customer requirements meet manufacturing reality — and the difference between a package that protects the product and one that fails in the field.
When you design with manufacturability in mind, you protect production schedules and margins. When you prototype and test rigorously, you protect the customer's product all the way through distribution. When you create accurate specs and clean drawings, you give estimating, production, and customer service the foundation they need to deliver on every promise we make.
This is a hands-on role where technical skill, design judgment, and cross-functional partnership turn complex packaging problems into solutions our customers can count on every single day.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
