What does a packaging operator do?
The primary job of a packaging operator is to take the finished product and ensure that it is packaged based on the company and industry standards. You will be responsible for operating the machinery used in packaging and conducting routine inspection and preventative equipment maintenance. Other duties include product labeling, troubleshooting equipment issues on time to prevent delays, and completing packaging orders on time. As a packaging operator, you are also responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational policies.
Packaging operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real packaging operator resumes:
- Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
- Print, inspect and fill iv bags.
- Use of calipers and plug gauge for machine measuring.
- Print and complete all paperwork according to DEA regulations.
- Fill iv bags with solution clean very sanitary place.
- Participate in basic ISO training for all hourly and salary employees.
- Operate and monitor packaging machine and support machines for dry pet food.
- Skil operator of granulators, sifters, dryers, stokes and forklifts.
- Maintain area cleanliness in compliance with state and local hygiene laws and procedures.
- Assure cGMP and good document practices (GDP's) are follow daily.
- Mount supplies on spindles and place supplies in hopper or other feeding devices.
- Utilize PPE and aseptic techniques to execute filling and packaging of clinical supplies in clean room environments.
- make sure there are no dents, cap/ straw placement is correct according to SQF standards).
- Measure, with calipers and scoops, mill human bone grafts and bone powder in the clean rooms.
- Utilize various regulations such as DOD 4500.9R and AFI 24-203 in the movement of military property and equipment.
Packaging operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Packaging Operators are proficient in Basic Math, Math, and GMP.
We break down the percentage of Packaging Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Basic Math, 9%
Glue boxesfor nutrition bar filling, use basic math skills to correctly package nutrition bars.
- Math, 8%
Solve math equations quickly and accurately without calculator.
- GMP, 8%
Worked independently as well as a team in a GMP manufacturing/packaging environment.
- Quality Checks, 5%
Monitor and accurately record production line quality checks as required Visually monitor product and packing to maintain its quality and integrity.
- Safety Procedures, 4%
Adhered to Health and safety procedures OH and S Act, and followed the proper use of process equipment.
- Pallets, 4%
Hand-stacked product onto pallets in a fast-paced, team oriented environment using automated packaging equipment.
"basic math," "math," and "gmp" are among the most common skills that packaging operators use at work. You can find even more packaging operator responsibilities below, including:
The three companies that hire the most packaging operators are:
- FedEx2,482 packaging operators jobs
- TPI33 packaging operators jobs
- Anheuser-Busch27 packaging operators jobs
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Compare different packaging operators
Packaging operator vs. 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, packaging operator responsibilities require skills like "basic math," "pallets," "safety rules," and "dexterity." Meanwhile a typical cell operator has skills in areas such as "cnc," "calipers," "micrometers," and "light fixtures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Cell operators tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,770. In contrast, packaging operators make the biggest average salary, $39,011, in the manufacturing industry.The education levels that cell operators earn slightly differ from packaging operators. In particular, cell operators are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a packaging operator. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging operator vs. Lining machine operator
A filler operator works with the packaging end of a production line. The filler's task is to fill containers with the required number of products before packaging and shipping. The filler also operates filling machines and makes the necessary adjustments to ensure consistency. They are also responsible for inventory and maintenance of filling process equipment. They must work well under pressure and be scrupulously accurate.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that packaging operator responsibilities requires skills like "math," "pallets," "dexterity," and "hand tools." But a lining machine operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "product quality," "machine operation," "cnc," and "line production."
Lining machine operators earn a higher average salary than packaging operators. But lining machine operators earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,210. Additionally, packaging operators earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $39,011 annually.lining machine operators earn similar levels of education than packaging operators in general. They're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging operator vs. Technical machine operator
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 operator is likely to be skilled in "pallets," "safety rules," "dexterity," and "hand tools," while a typical technical machine operator is skilled in "cnc," "machine operation," "continuous improvement," and "trouble shoot."
Technical machine operators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,834. Comparatively, packaging operators have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $39,011.When it comes to education, technical machine operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to packaging operators. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Packaging operator vs. Filler operator
Types of packaging operator
Updated January 8, 2025
