How To Become A Packaging Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a packaging manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A packaging manager oversees the design, development, and production of packaging materials. They ensure that packaging meets regulatory and budget requirements and protects products during shipping and handling. A packaging manager collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve packaging design and materials, manages vendor relationships, and develops strategies to reduce waste and improve sustainability. They also monitor industry trends to stay up-to-date on new materials and technologies for packaging.

ScorePackaging ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $109,833

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.9

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 9.16%

Black or African American 3.84%

Hispanic or Latino 13.17%

Unknown 3.87%

White 69.45%

Gender

female 24.16%

male 75.84%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

9.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.3

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a packaging manager?

Pros

High demand for skilled packaging managers
Opportunities for advancement to higher management positions
Exposure to a variety of supply chain and logistics processes
Potential for international travel and networking
Varied and constantly-evolving work

Cons

Risk of product damage or loss due to packaging errors
High level of responsibility and accountability for product performance
Communication challenges between different departments and stakeholders
Potential for conflict with suppliers or customers over packaging decisions
Can be physically demanding, especially when working in a manufacturing setting

Key steps to become a packaging manager

Explore packaging manager education requirements

Most common packaging manager degrees

Bachelor's

66.9 %

Associate

13.3 %

Master's

9.8 %

Start to develop specific packaging manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Continuous Improvement	10.25%
Project Management	8.03%
Product Development	7.52%
Sops	4.86%
Direct Reports	4.44%

Complete relevant packaging manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New packaging managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a packaging manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real packaging manager resumes.

Research packaging manager duties and responsibilities

Attain facility commissioning after a successful FDA audit.
Conduct routine audits to ensure product quality specifications, FDA, AIB, and GMP compliance.
Work in concert with QA to overcome FDA issues regarding packaging changes for products with drug claims.
Serve as an internal auditor as required by ISO standards.

Prepare your packaging manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your packaging manager resume.

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