Global Packaging Automation Technology Expert - Germany

Location: Altenburg, Germany
-We welcome applicants from any European countries, provided they can work in a hybrid or remote-based model.
About Cartamundi

Cartamundi is the global leader in “play” solutions — from playing cards to board games, collectibles, and trading card games. With 3,100 team members worldwide, we empower people everywhere to “Live Different, Play Different.” Headquartered in Belgium, our family-owned company operates 12 manufacturing sites and a global network of design and sales offices across the U.S., Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Our portfolio includes iconic heritage brands like Bicycle®, Bee®, and Copag®, alongside many beloved local brands. We’re also a trusted production and distribution partner for the world’s leading toy and entertainment companies.

With roots dating back to 1765, we combine centuries of craftsmanship with forward‑thinking innovation, including digital experiences. Our strategy focuses on sustainable, profitable growth — preserving our planet and our company for generations to come.

BECOME A CARTAMUNDIAN — We Can. We Care. We Do. We Play. We Connect.

Cartamundi is looking for a passionate and forward-thinking Global Packaging Automation Technology Expert who will impact the future of our worldwide manufacturing footprint. Operating at the intersection of Industrial Innovation, Engineering, and Operations Excellence, you will play a key role in driving high‑performance packaging automation systems across all our global sites.

This position is not a “maintain what we have” role. We are seeking a recognized automation expert who brings fresh thinking, challenges conventional approaches, and helps shape bold new automation strategies together with management.
Automation leadership is critical; packaging process knowledge is important and valued.

This position offers a unique blend of strategic influence and hands‑on technical leadership
, with international exposure and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our global industrial strategy.

Location:
This position may be based anywhere in Europe

Your function:

• Serve as Cartamundi’s global technical authority,
  working closely with regional engineering and site experts
  .
• Build scalable standards once and deploy them many times
  , reducing repetitive site-level problem solving.
• Define and standardize system architectures for feeding, handling, inspection, packaging, and downstream automation.
• Ensure high system performance
  , focusing on throughput, quality, reliability, waste reduction, and OEE.
• Challenges and guide sites to improve stability and output.
• Identify and evaluate new automation technologies, OEMs, robotics, motion, vision, and digital solutions.
• Translate emerging technologies into scalable industrial solutions and actively shape strategic investment decisions.
• Optimize PLC logic, motion control, servo drives, and system synchronization to enhance performance.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, ramp‑up, and qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Develop global standards
  , SOPs, reference designs, and validation protocols for packaging automation systems.
• Train, coach, and build capability within engineering, operations, and maintenance teams worldwide.
• Act as the global escalation point for critical automation and system performance issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure manufacturability and supplier alignment.
• While hands‑on during critical project phases,
  this role is not a shift‑based operation support position
  .

Your profile:

You are an experienced automation professional who thrives in high-speed manufacturing environments and enjoys combining hands‑on engineering with global impact.

• You hold a degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering—or you bring equivalent experience.
• You have solid, relevant experience (typically 5+ years) in industrial automation, preferably in high-speed or complex manufacturing environments.
• You are comfortable working with PLC and motion platforms (Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff) and have experience with vision systems such as Cognex or Keyence.
• You understand product handling technologies
  —feeding,…