Title: Vice President of Engineering
Company: IZA Design and Manufacturing
Location: Clarkston, Michigan, United States
Jesse R. Schmidt, Vice President of Engineering at IZA Design and Manufacturing, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Manufacturing.
Mr. Schmidt has established a notable career spanning three decades in packaging engineering, earning recognition for his expertise and unwavering commitment to integrity in the workplace while garnering results. Since 2015, he has served as the vice president of engineering at IZA Design and Manufacturing, where he plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between engineering and sales. In this capacity, Mr. Schmidt assists the sales team by helping customers understand both technical and commercial perspectives, collaborates closely with the vice president of sales, and regularly travels from Michigan to Tennessee and other locations to support business development. His leadership is marked by a proactive approach to problem-solving, consistent delivery on promises and a reputation as a reliable industry professional.
Before joining IZA Design and Manufacturing, Mr. Schmidt contributed his skills to Geometric Americas from 2014 to 2015 as a client partner for Chrysler, General Motors and Tool Design. In this role, he managed key client relationships following Geometric Americas’s acquisition of Modern Engineering, where he had previously held several positions. Mr. Schmidt’s earlier tenure at Geometric Americas included serving as the director of material handling and rack design between 2009 and 2015, where he oversaw the development of innovative solutions for outsourced engineering staffing, supplying packaging engineers to major clients like Chrysler and acting as an extension of original equipment manufacturers. He also worked as a senior program manager for the organization, leading complex projects that required coordination across multiple teams and disciplines from 2007 to 2009.
Mr. Schmidt’s experience at Modern Engineering as a senior program manager beginning in 2003 provided him with a strong foundation in managing large-scale engineering initiatives during a period of significant organizational transition. Among other professional opportunities, he held a packaging engineer role at Visteon from 2002 to 2003, where he contributed to the design and implementation of packaging systems for automotive components. Mr. Schmidt also worked as a lead project engineer at Ilogic between 2000 and 2002.
Mr. Schmidt’s early career included hands-on roles that shaped his practical understanding of the industry. From 1996 to 2000, he worked at Outboard Marine Corporation, initially as a box boy, where he collaborated on a patent for a shipping container designed specifically for transporting engines with transom mounts. This innovation addressed challenges boat companies faced with disposable packaging by introducing a returnable system integrated into roll-top trailers, significantly reducing costs and environmental waste.
In preparation for his career in this sector, Mr. Schmidt earned a Bachelor of Science in packaging engineering from Michigan State University in East Lansing in 1996. He previously completed on-campus chemical engineering coursework before discovering his passion for packaging through an inspiring seminar at the school of packaging.
Aside from his education, Mr. Schmidt is an active member of SAE International and the Institute of Packaging Professionals, reflecting his commitment to ongoing professional development and industry engagement. Civically engaged, he enjoys the opportunity to coach his son’s baseball team. Throughout his career, Mr. Schmidt has been recognized for his ability to tackle challenges efficiently and deliver effective solutions across diverse projects. He is most proud of his reputation for reliability and strong will, qualities that have defined his contributions to the industry.
Mr. Schmidt’s dedication has been acknowledged through honors such as the Chairman’s Award. He credits his relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence to the influence of his family and the steadfast encouragement of his wife, Nicole. Looking ahead, Mr. Schmidt is focused on elevating IZA Design and Manufacturing by addressing recent industry challenges and positioning the company as a preferred supplier to major original equipment manufacturers, such as General Motors and Toyota. He remains dedicated to providing reliable solutions while aspiring to become a recognized leader within the industry.
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