What Does a Pack Machine Operator Do?

A pack machine operator is an employee who is responsible for operating and maintaining packaging machines to prepare industrial and consumer products for storage or shipment. Pack machine operators observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products are up to standards. They monitor the production line to avoid problems such as pile-ups or jams while removing defective products and packaging material. Pack machine operators must also conduct maintenance of the packaging machines on a weekly to monthly basis.

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Pack Machine Operator Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real pack machine operator resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Insure that products pass inspection according to FDA contracts.
Perform CIP procedures on machinery when changing yogurt brands.
Maintain and operate machine and equipment quality control FDA approval identify good or bad parts
Observe quality of finish parts to prevent oversight by packer/inspector & prevent QA direction to rework/reinspect.
Perform QA checks, rework when need, cleaning, and transporting cages to the cooler.
Review other inspectors GMP forms; verify calibration and functionality of GMP instrumentation perform in-process tests and product audits.
Assist with work center change-overs and materials movement with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency in accordance with GMP standards.
Conduct exceptional monthly safety inspections following OSHA guidelines.
Prepare silkscreen stencils and operate machines to label containers for various product-lines.
Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually and using hoists and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.
De-Manufacture PC'S and relate parts for credits back to company.
Coordinate and allocate components need to create PC boards on high volume.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Pack Machine Operator Job Description

Perhaps the hardest question to answer when deciding on a career as a pack machine operator is "should I become a pack machine operator?" You might find this info to be helpful. When compared to other jobs, pack machine operator careers are projected to have a growth rate described as "as fast as average" at 4% from 2018 through 2028. This is in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What's more, is that the projected number of opportunities that are predicted to become available for a pack machine operator by 2028 is 32,600.

Pack machine operators average about $16.9 an hour, which makes the pack machine operator annual salary $35,157. Additionally, pack machine operators are known to earn anywhere from $28,000 to $43,000 a year. This means that the top-earning pack machine operators make $13,000 more than the lowest earning ones.

Once you've become a pack machine operator, you may be curious about what other opportunities are out there. Careers aren't one size fits all. For that reason, we discovered some other jobs that you may find appealing. Some jobs you might find interesting include a machine operator/forklift operator, cell operator, oven operator, and manufacturing operator.

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12 Pack Machine Operator Resume Examples

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Matthew Wells Pack Machine Operator Contact Information Atlanta, GA (370) 555-8917 mwells@example.com Skills Different Types Pallet Jack ISO Quality Standards Heavy Equipment Production Requirements Setup Alloy Company Policies Dexterity Employment History Pack Machine Operator 2019 - Present The Coca-Cola Company Atlanta, GA Set up machinery and ensure all production materials are available. Ensured compliance with regulatory company policies, and procedures. Operate a forklift and pallet jack. Performed inventory cycle counts of finished products and raw materials. Run different machines, such as, Depalletizer, Case Packer, and Palletizer. Labeling Machine Operator 2014 - 2019 Rheem Manufacturing Sandersville, GA Operated door press machine manufacturing a/c and refrigeration units. Adhered to good manufacturing practices and safety standards. Have advanced knowledge of USDA Food Safety Guidelines, advanced QC and food safety guidelines. Brazer 2006 - 2014 Rheem Manufacturing Sandersville, GA assemble and sauder copper tubing off and on assembly line Brazed copper on A/C unit and worked on assembly line. Assembled and brazed A/C units in assembly line Control anodizing equipment to provide corrosion resistant surface to aluminum products. Coil Department Brazing in an assembly line environment Education High School Diploma 2006 - 2006


Barbara Miller Pack Machine Operator Contact Info Columbia, SC (850) 555-0714 bmiller@example.com Skills Document ActionsHondaHand ToolsInspect PartsSafety PoliciesSafety ProceduresSafety RulesReject ProductsRough SpotsDifferent Departments Employment History Pack Machine Operator 2019 - Present Kelly Services Columbia, SC Load and unload automotive parts from machine. Maintain quality control, oversee logistics and ensure safety compliance. Sealing Machine Operator 2018 - 2019 Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products N.A Orangeburg, SC Ensured safety rules and regulations were followed per company policy. Adhered to and practiced established company safety procedures to ensure safe work methods and relevant regulations. Assist in product quality assurance. Operated machine, maintained machine, conducted quality checks. Perform quality checks on products and parts. Assembly Line Operator 2017 - 2018 Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products N.A Orangeburg, SC Produced and assembled parts for the assembly line. Used hand tools and portable powered tools. Education High School Diploma 2017 - 2017


Lisa Walker Pack Machine Operator Decatur, GA (760) 555-2481 lwalker@example.com Experience Pack Machine Operator2020 - Present Georgia-Pacific Chemicals•Decatur, GA Operate heavy equipment and help do labor work Manufactured parts and equipment using lathes, milling, and cnc equipment. Examined workpiece visually and by touch, using tape measure, and gauges to ensure product met desired standards. Lining Machine Operator2019 - 2020 Georgia-Pacific Chemicals•Taylorsville, MS Worked on an assembly line at a consistent pace. Inspect parts, Operate forklift, load machines, and unload steel parts. Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools. Run and operator assembly line machinery Work with engineers to test new product or run improved product Punch Press Operator2017 - 2019 Adecco Staffing, USA•Charlotte, NC Operate Press Machinery Stock and Inventory Package products on assembly line Press operator, inspect parts ,pack parts to a certain level in bin. Operated stamping press before promoted to brake press operator (Amada) for sheet metal fabrication learned to read blueprints. Punch Presses and Robotic Welder Spot Welded Ensured quality products by preforming frequent inspections Skills Automotive PartsPrecise SpecificationsEnsure AccuracyHeavy EquipmentQuality InspectionAssembly LineBatch RecordsHeavy MachinerySmall PartsQuality Checks Education High School Diploma 2017 - 2017

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Pack Machine Operator Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 12% of Pack Machine Operators are proficient in Basic Math, Defective Products, and Team-Oriented Environment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Pack Machine Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Basic Math, 12%
advance in batch record information and using basic mathematical skills,records and prepare accurate and complete information.
Defective Products, 8%
Notified supervisor of faulty operations and defective product.
Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
Work effectively and efficiently in a team-oriented environment to ensure maximum and high-quality output.
Quality Checks, 7%
Perform and documenting all inspection and quality checks, including component and product verification.
Safety Procedures, 6%
Followed safe operation of Industrial Packing machine and adhered to company safety procedures.
Math, 6%
Paper work, Math skills & Maintenance.

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"basic math," "defective products," and "team-oriented environment" aren't the only skills we found pack machine operators list on their resumes. In fact, there's a whole list of pack machine operator responsibilities that we found, including:

Arguably the most important personality trait for a pack machine operator to have happens to be communication skills. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material" Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that pack machine operators can use communication skills to "change machine parts shift reporting and documentation skills used good attention to detail math skills communication skills"

Another trait important for fulfilling pack machine operator duties is coordination. According to a pack machine operator resume, "material moving machine operators should have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." Here's an example of how pack machine operators are able to utilize coordination: "operated production machinery utilized good communication skill to interact well with co-workers possess good hand-eye coordination ability to perform repetitive tasks"

Mechanical skills is also an important skill for pack machine operators to have. This example of how pack machine operators use this skill comes from a pack machine operator resume, "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." Read this excerpt from a resume to understand how vital it is to their everyday roles and responsibilities, "assist maintenance with mechanical troubleshooting. "

A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "visual ability" is important to completing pack machine operator responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way pack machine operators use this skill: "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving" Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical pack machine operator tasks: "completed detailed line inspections and visually inspected bottles for consistent product quality. "

See the full list of pack machine operator skills.

Those pack machine operators who do attend college, typically earn either a business degree or a general studies degree. Less commonly earned degrees for pack machine operators include a criminal justice degree or a accounting degree.

Once you're ready to become a pack machine operator, you should explore the companies that typically hire pack machine operators. According to pack machine operator resumes that we searched through, pack machine operators are hired the most by TPI, Frito-Lay, and Shearer's Foods. Currently, TPI has 75 pack machine operator job openings, while there are 20 at Frito-Lay and 13 at Shearer's Foods.

Since salary is important to some pack machine operators, it's good to note that they are figured to earn the highest salaries at Reser's Fine Foods, Nation Pizza, and Nestlé. If you were to take a closer look at Reser's Fine Foods, you'd find that the average pack machine operator salary is $48,980. Then at Nation Pizza, pack machine operators receive an average salary of $47,888, while the salary at Nestlé is $47,194.

View more details on pack machine operator salaries across the United States.

Some other companies you might be interested in as a pack machine operator include ManpowerGroup, Kelly Services, and Berry Global. These three companies were found to hire the most pack machine operators from the top 100 U.S. educational institutions.

The industries that pack machine operators fulfill the most roles in are the manufacturing and professional industries. But the highest pack machine operator annual salary is in the manufacturing industry, averaging $39,255. In the transportation industry they make $37,800 and average about $36,423 in the retail industry. In conclusion, pack machine operators who work in the manufacturing industry earn a 5.5% higher salary than pack machine operators in the professional industry.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious pack machine operators are:

TPI75 Pack Machine Operators Jobs
Frito-Lay20 Pack Machine Operators Jobs
Shearer's Foods13 Pack Machine Operators Jobs

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What Machine Operator/Forklift Operators Do

A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.

In this section, we compare the average pack machine operator annual salary with that of a machine operator/forklift operator. Typically, machine operator/forklift operators earn a $2,705 lower salary than pack machine operators earn annually.

Even though pack machine operators and machine operator/forklift operators have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require quality checks, safety procedures, and safety rules in the day-to-day roles.

As far as similarities go, this is where it ends because a pack machine operator responsibility requires skills such as "basic math," "defective products," "team-oriented environment," and "math." Whereas a machine operator/forklift operator is skilled in "drive forklift," "load trucks," "machine operation," and "cnc." So if you're looking for what truly separates the two careers, you've found it.

Machine operator/forklift operators receive the highest salaries in the automotive industry coming in with an average yearly salary of $36,711. But pack machine operators are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $39,255.

The education levels that machine operator/forklift operators earn is a bit different than that of pack machine operators. In particular, machine operator/forklift operators are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a pack machine operator. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Cell Operator?

A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently. The position also does other miscellaneous tasks related to production, such as inspection, sorting, and other assembly operations, depending on the type of company, business, or manufactured product. This person generally has strong organizational and problem-solving skills and has a knack for troubleshooting.

Now we're going to look at the cell operator profession. On average, cell operators earn a $2,709 higher salary than pack machine operators a year.

Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Pack machine operators and cell operators both include similar skills like "quality checks," "safety procedures," and "math" on their resumes.

But both careers also use different skills, according to real pack machine operator resumes. While pack machine operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "basic math," "defective products," "team-oriented environment," and "safety rules," some cell operators use skills like "hand tools," "cnc," "calipers," and "micrometers."

It's been discovered that cell operators earn higher salaries compared to pack machine operators, but we wanted to find out where cell operators earned the most pay. The answer? The technology industry. The average salary in the industry is $41,770. Additionally, pack machine operators earn the highest paychecks in the manufacturing with an average salary of $39,255.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, cell operators tend to reach similar levels of education than pack machine operators. In fact, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How an Oven Operator Compares

A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

The oven operator profession generally makes a lower amount of money when compared to the average salary of pack machine operators. The difference in salaries is oven operators making $904 lower than pack machine operators.

While looking through the resumes of several pack machine operators and oven operators we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "quality checks," "safety procedures," and "safety rules," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

As mentioned, these two careers differ between other skills that are required for performing the work exceedingly well. For example, gathering from pack machine operators resumes, they are more likely to have skills like "basic math," "defective products," "team-oriented environment," and "math." But a oven operator might have skills like "food safety," "product specifications," "haccp," and "ppe."

Additionally, oven operators earn a higher salary in the finance industry compared to other industries. In this industry, they receive an average salary of $38,984. Additionally, pack machine operators earn an average salary of $39,255 in the manufacturing industry.

Oven operators are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to pack machine operators. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Manufacturing Operator

Manufacturing operators tend to earn a lower pay than pack machine operators by about $700 per year.

According to resumes from both pack machine operators and manufacturing operators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "basic math," "quality checks," and "safety procedures. "

Each job requires different skills like "defective products," "team-oriented environment," "troubleshoot," and "product quality," which might show up on a pack machine operator resume. Whereas manufacturing operator might include skills like "hand tools," "lean manufacturing," "iso," and "quality products."

In general, manufacturing operators make a higher salary in the pharmaceutical industry with an average of $37,500. The highest pack machine operator annual salary stems from the manufacturing industry.

In general, manufacturing operators reach similar levels of education when compared to pack machine operators resumes. Manufacturing operators are 3.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated October 2, 2020