What does a packaging manager do?
A packaging manager is a person whose job is to supervise a packaging operation, usually in a factory or warehouse. You will be responsible for overseeing other employees within the operation and ensuring that goods are packed correctly and in time for distribution. Packaging managers are responsible for proper maintenance of packaging machines, scheduling staff for efficiency, and ensuring the availability of packaging materials and goods to be packaged. Overseeing the recruitment and training of employees for the packaging line is an added role.
Packaging manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real packaging manager resumes:
- 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.
- Revamp dilution with lean methodologies to increase liquid and specialty production and be GMP compliant.
- Prepare final reports and review all complete filling records for accuracy and compliance prior to QA submission.
- Plan, optimize, and improve containerization, logistics, and material handling, for new and existing programs.
- Authore ISO standard operating procedures for shipping, receiving and packaging which enable the company to become ISO9001 certify.
- Oversee all productionPlan laborDevelop and enforce all company GMP & SOPPromote SafetyEnsure all HACCP programs are utilize and update as needed
- Schedule productions for four stenter frames, stenter and a dryer in a plant that run 150k lbs per week.
- Develop and improve safety awareness programs to enhance OSHA awareness programs.
- Facilitate delivery of core third-party packaging and logistics solutions via sales team support for new account development.
- Re-Organize facility improving communication, standardizing work, improving visual management, and Kaizen participation and effectiveness.
- Create and implement lot number production on finish good cartons immediately without impacting customer delivery to be GMP compliant.
- Improve manufacturing processes through the use of statistical process control (SPC).
Packaging manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Packaging Managers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Project Management, and Product Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Packaging Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 10%
Utilized TQM methodologies to ensure continuous improvement in processes and movement toward cellular manufacturing and self-directed work teams.
- Project Management, 8%
Project management and implementation of new equipment.
- Product Development, 8%
Work with sales and manufacturing to address customer complaints/improvements and new product development.
- Sops, 5%
Reworked department SOPs that provided consistency and improved established procedures.
- Direct Reports, 4%
Develop Supervisors ability to interact with direct reports, and to stress safety awareness throughout the facility, and through training.
- R, 4%
Implemented gauge R and R for all scales, micrometers and other devices used in the plant.
"continuous improvement," "project management," and "product development" are among the most common skills that packaging managers use at work. You can find even more packaging manager responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a packaging manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what packaging managers do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, a packaging manager resume shows how packaging managers use interpersonal skills: "exercised excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with internal teams to identify and correct quality issues. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling packaging manager duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." According to a packaging manager resume, here's how packaging managers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provide leadership for the development of a continuous improvement culture with the packaging department. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of packaging managers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday packaging manager duties, as "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created innovative technology-based solutions that produced major improvements in processes, productivity, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. "
The three companies that hire the most packaging managers are:
- Conagra Brands15 packaging managers jobs
- Church & Dwight Co.12 packaging managers jobs
- Estée Lauder9 packaging managers jobs
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Packaging manager vs. Operations team leader
An operations team leader is an individual who manages teams, encouraging cooperation, productivity, and teamwork. Operations team leaders foster team unity and enhance the daily efficiency of the companies or any business establishment. They manage a diverse workforce in companies to make sure that the organizational operations are efficient. Also, they implement programs and processes and oversee building maintenance. It is also their responsibility to manage mechanical and human resources and establish a team budget.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a packaging manager are more likely to require skills like "product development," "sops," "r," and "osha." On the other hand, a job as an operations team leader requires skills like "customer service," "excellent interpersonal," "sales floor," and "safety procedures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Operations team leaders tend to reach similar levels of education than packaging managers. In fact, operations team leaders are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Packaging manager vs. Operation supervisor
Operations supervisors manage a specific operations-related team or department. They ensure that all the agreed-upon key performance indicators are being met. They also address any performance challenges and strategize on how to improve different areas in the team. They communicate team goals and balance the organization's requirements with the team's profile. Operations supervisors also manage the employees under their department. They hire for vacancies and train new employees. They also ensure that employees are properly coached for improvement. Operations supervisors are expected to be strategic, personable, and good communicators.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that packaging manager responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "product development," "sops," and "r." But an operation supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety procedures," "payroll," "customer satisfaction," and "patients."
Operation supervisors may earn a lower salary than packaging managers, but operation supervisors earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $66,587. On the other hand, packaging managers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $108,428.operation supervisors earn similar levels of education than packaging managers in general. They're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging manager vs. Supervisor
Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met. When needed, supervisors also provide guidance to employees in terms of their career or even personal challenges. They also help in fostering harmonious work relationships by resolving interpersonal conflicts at work. To be successful in their role, they must have leadership skills, time management skills, decision-making capabilities, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a packaging manager is likely to be skilled in "continuous improvement," "project management," "product development," and "sops," while a typical supervisor is skilled in "customer service," "safety procedures," "sales floor," and "pos."
Supervisors earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $60,088. Packaging managers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $108,428.When it comes to education, supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to packaging managers. In fact, they're 3.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Packaging manager vs. Shop supervisor
A shop supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a store, delegating tasks to the shop personnel, and ensuring the highest quality service to the customers for their satisfaction. Shop supervisors handle the sales inventory and process bank transactions every closing. They also negotiate contracts with suppliers and third-party vendors, receive proof of shipments, maintain an organized record of deliveries, and implement marketing strategies to boost brand awareness and generate more revenues to increase profitability.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between packaging managers and shop supervisors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a packaging manager might have more use for skills like "continuous improvement," "project management," "product development," and "sops." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of shop supervisors require skills like "customer service," "safety procedures," "preventative maintenance," and "parts inventory. "
In general, shop supervisors earn the most working in the energy industry, with an average salary of $63,390. The highest-paying industry for a packaging manager is the manufacturing industry.shop supervisors reach lower levels of education compared to packaging managers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of packaging manager
Updated January 8, 2025











