Pallet Designer & Business Analyst

NO RELOCATION: ONLY LOCAL CANDIDATES IN A DAILY COMMUTABLE DISTANCE NEED APPY.

NOT TAKING APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITERS OR STAFFING AGENCIES AT THIS TIME.

Summary and Objective:

The Pallet Designer & Business Analyst is a hybrid role that combines pallet/crate design and costing with business and financial analysis. Approximately half of the role focuses on designing pallets and crates in the Pallet Design System (PDS) and preparing accurate cost sheets for every customer quote. The other half serves as the analyst that the company’s finance and operations leadership rely on to track projects, build spreadsheets and trackers, and identify where costs are gained or lost. The primary objective of this role is to ensure every quote is designed and costed accurately, to turn business questions into reliable data and analysis, and to support the company’s continued investment in design, data, and AI tools.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     Design pallets and crates in the Pallet Design System (PDS) based on customer specifications and drawings, producing clear drawings and bills of materials that manufacturing plants can build from.

2.     Prepare the cost sheet for every quote, including board footage, lumber grade and pricing, cut yield, nails and fasteners, labor, and freight.

3.     Maintain the accuracy and currency of company costing spreadsheets and cost models, including material pricing and other cost inputs.

4.     Compare quoted costs to actual job costs, including cut time, build time, and scrap, to identify jobs that did not meet margin expectations and report the causes and recommended corrective actions.

5.     Serve as the primary analyst supporting finance leadership by gathering and analyzing data, building trackers and reports, and answering business questions with accurate data.

6.     Support the Operations Project Lead by maintaining the current project list, tracking project status, and reporting what has progressed and what has not.

7.     Prepare recurring reports, including monthly project status reports and quoted-versus-actual job analyses, for review by the President and leadership team.

8.     Work with the sales team to convert customer requests into designs and pricing quickly and accurately.

9.     Serve as a resource to plant personnel by answering questions and clarifying drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.

10.  Review customer requirements, drawings, and specifications for completeness, accuracy, and manufacturability prior to release to manufacturing.

11.  Use company-approved AI tools, including Claude, on a daily basis for costing, spreadsheet, and reporting work, and help coworkers adopt these tools, in accordance with company policies on data security and confidentiality.

12.  Maintain organized electronic documentation related to designs, cost sheets, quotations, project trackers, and reports.

13.  Communicate professionally with internal teams and, as needed, customers regarding designs, quote details, and project status.

14.  Participate in required training and skill development, including PDS training, the company’s costing methodology, and plant operations, and complete the structured 90-day training plan.

15.  Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental and operational objectives.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

§  High school diploma or GED required.

§  Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, and pivot tables, with the ability to build a cost model rather than only populate one.

§  Working knowledge of dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 4x4, 4x6), board feet, and lumber grades; or prior experience working around lumber, construction, or a sawmill with the ability to learn the remainder quickly.

§  Willingness to use AI tools regularly in daily work and to learn new technology.

§  Strong attention to detail and accuracy, including the discipline to check one’s own work.

§  Ability to learn and apply PDS and the company’s costing methodology through on-the-job training.

§  Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and measurements.

§  Effective written and verbal communication skills.

§  Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications:

§  Associate or bachelor’s degree in industrial technology, engineering technology, business, forestry, drafting, or a related field; equivalent relevant work experience will be considered in place of a degree.

§  Experience using the Pallet Design System (PDS) or similar design software.

§  Prior experience with AI tools such as Claude in a work or academic setting.

§  Previous experience in pallets, packaging, lumber, construction, sawmill, or other manufacturing operations.

§  Experience with cost estimating, financial analysis, or project tracking.

§  Demonstrated interest in building technical and analytical skills and taking on increasing responsibility.

Core Competencies:

1.   Humility (lacks ego, team agenda, transparent, trainable, servant orientation)

2.   Hungry (extra mile, internally driven, self-starter, excellence, passionate, change agent)

3.   People Smart (interpersonal, group dynamics, influential, self-aware, motivating)

4.   Competent (knows and can accomplish the task at hand – job, challenges, requirements)

5.   Integrity (honest, reliable, transparent, strong character, loyal, righteous)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. However, the position requires strong interpersonal and influential capabilities while working with company personnel at multiple levels, including finance, operations, sales, and plant personnel, as well as customers and outside vendors.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This role primarily involves office-based computer and desk work, including extended periods of sitting, typing, and viewing computer monitors. The employee will be required to periodically stand, walk through manufacturing facilities, climb stairs, bend, reach, or lift materials and documents weighing up to 25 pounds, including during plant floor training and visits to production areas to observe manufacturing processes, review products, or resolve drawing and specification questions. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish details in drawings and specifications. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Environment:

The work environment for this position includes both office and manufacturing settings. The office environment is generally climate-controlled and moderately quiet, while manufacturing and warehouse areas may expose the employee to moving machinery, forklifts, saws, nail equipment, dust, vibration, and varying temperatures. Appropriate personal protective equipment is required when entering production areas. The role requires regular interaction with finance, operations, sales, and plant personnel, as well as occasional communication with customers and vendors.

Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position with days and hours of work normally being Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some additional hours, including occasional evening or weekend work, may be required based on business needs. This is an onsite role and is not a remote position.

Travel:

This position requires minimal travel, up to 5%, which may include occasional visits to other company plant locations.

AAP/EEO Statement:

All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related decisions are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With seven locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA, TX), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build a great team, valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability.