What does a packaging specialist do?
Packaging specialists basically focus on the development of packages that are attractive, cost-effective, and appropriate for product preservation. The specialists make a plan, train, supervise, and do different duties associated with packaging. They audit packaging designs and look for ways to improve their appearance. It is part of their job to provide the organization or company with doable ideas for cost savings.
Packaging specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real packaging specialist resumes:
- Manage a team of 16-35 to insure packaging lines are running to standards as far as USDA guidelines and company productivity.
- Verified/Document product components; ensure compliance with quality standards and FDA and GMP procedures/guidelines.
- Operate packaging equipment to produce quality products in a safe and efficient manner under OSHA, ISO, GMP procedures.
- Train employees on ISO systems and procedures.
- Perform and document all require QC checks.
- Conduct quality checks and audits in coordination with QC.
- Pack out customers orders while maintaining the departments expect UPH.
- Create a system to increase UPH, while encountering production obstacles.
- Assist battery, high bay, antenna operations and RF products as needed.
- Perform heavy lifting, advance mechanical tool operation & dexterity as well as team problem solving.
- Assume full responsibility in investigating all issues as well as CAPA involving packaging process and equipment.
- Complete packaging documents utilize by the company which are required by the FDA to remain compliant with the CFR.
- Mentor and serve as leader to new employees in RF assembly, focuse on teaching assembly and documentation best practices.
- Execute on time production orders, coordinate changeovers and equipment repairs, and reduce OEE losses through improvements and data analysis.
- Repackage prescription drugs according to FDA federal guidelines.
Packaging specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 46% of Packaging Specialists are proficient in DOD, Package Design, and Logistics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Physical strength, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Packaging Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOD, 46%
Utilized various regulations such as DOD 4500.9R and AFI 24-203 in the movement of military property and equipment.
- Package Design, 7%
Developed and approved packaging component specifications and conducted performance tests of package designs.
- Logistics, 5%
Provided administrative support for Logistics Managers and other Distribution Center Associates to prioritize and resolve daily operational issues.
- Safety Policies, 4%
Observed all safety policies and procedures Closely inspected parts to ensure they were clean and free of contaminants.
- Continuous Improvement, 4%
Lead working group on packaging development for new parts and continuous improvement of current parts packaging.
- GMP, 4%
Head of quality for six facilities located throughout the US performing primary and secondary packaging across commercial and GMP environments.
"dod," "package design," and "logistics" are among the most common skills that packaging specialists use at work. You can find even more packaging specialist responsibilities below, including:
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a packaging specialist to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." Packaging specialists often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyze production processes and schedules to identify opportunities for improving coordination of production, quality and shipping. "
Physical strength. Many packaging specialist duties rely on physical strength. "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects.," so a packaging specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways packaging specialist responsibilities rely on physical strength: "performed physical testing of polymers to guarantee the polymers were within customer specifications and fibervisions standards. "
Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of packaging specialists is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday packaging specialist duties, as "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created 42+ first time right customer package designs with high pin counts. "
Listening skills. A big part of what packaging specialists do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to packaging specialist responsibilities because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical packaging specialist tasks: "communicated well with other co-workers -machine operation -stamp products -fast paced"
The three companies that hire the most packaging specialists are:
- FedEx1,019 packaging specialists jobs
- Tribune Publishing23 packaging specialists jobs
- Ascend Wellness12 packaging specialists jobs
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Compare different packaging specialists
Packaging specialist vs. B-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 specialist responsibilities require skills like "dod," "package design," "logistics," and "safety policies." Meanwhile a typical b-operator has skills in areas such as "work ethic," "hand tools," "calipers," and "safety procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
B-operators really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $41,595. Comparatively, packaging specialists tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $67,991.b-operators tend to reach similar levels of education than packaging specialists. In fact, b-operators are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Packaging specialist vs. Cell operator
A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, packaging specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "dod," "package design," "logistics," and "safety policies." Meanwhile, a cell operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "hand tools," "math," "cnc," and "calipers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Cell operators earn a lower average salary than packaging specialists. But cell operators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $41,770. Additionally, packaging specialists earn the highest salaries in the pharmaceutical with average pay of $67,991 annually.cell operators earn similar levels of education than packaging specialists in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging specialist vs. Relief 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, packaging specialists are more likely to have skills like "dod," "package design," "logistics," and "safety policies." But a relief operator is more likely to have skills like "food safety," "cip," "ppe," and "basic math."
Relief operators earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $46,955. Comparatively, packaging specialists have the highest earning potential in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $67,991.relief operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to packaging specialists. Specifically, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging specialist vs. Filler operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between packaging specialists and filler operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a packaging specialist might have more use for skills like "dod," "package design," "logistics," and "safety policies." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of filler operators require skills like "food safety," "pallets," "basic math," and "math. "
Filler operators enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $41,472. For comparison, packaging specialists earn the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry.filler operators reach similar levels of education compared to packaging specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of packaging specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
