What does a packaging technician do?
A packaging technician is responsible for planning the packaging design of various products, creating attractive outputs by utilizing software tools and applications, and ensuring that the deliverables adhere to the product's features. Packaging technicians generate new designs according to market trends and public demands. They discuss their product samples to the management team and adjust plans based on the requirements and suggestions. A packaging technician also considers the sales performance of the products to develop outputs that show high innovations, attracting customers to purchase the items, and generating more resources for revenues.
Packaging technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real packaging technician resumes:
- Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
- Complete accurate and timely documentation to comply with FDA and GMP regulations
- Operate equipment in compliance with company and OSHA standards.
- Team member of various over-the-counter lines to prepare package from pill form to truck-ready, with respect to FDA requirements.
- Package pharmaceuticals, maintain a sterile environment and ensure OSHA standards, work in the clean room and freezer areas.
- Conduct maintenance to material grinders.
- Complete documentation after packaging jobs suitable for FDA inspection.
- Perform proper standard operating procedures to ensure cleanliness and efficiency.
- Process clinical discards return from clinical sites including documentation and destruction per GMP procedures.
- Assist microbiology lab when necessary & perform other relate duties such as maintaining laboratory cleanliness as assigned.
- Set up and operate an extrusion machine in accordance with establish procedures and guidelines and customer requirements.
- Load and check software installations on PC workstations.
- Perform set-up operations for all tooling and work piece positioning on fixtures and jig plates.
- Determine machine hardware, jigs and fixtures needs and make justification and requisition following standard company processes.
- Use proper labeling and MSDS's for shipment of various gases.
Packaging technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Packaging Technicians are proficient in Basic Math, GMP, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Packaging Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Basic Math, 8%
Utilized basic mathematical skills to figure heights and measurements.
- GMP, 7%
Processed clinical discards returned from clinical sites including documentation and destruction per GMP procedures.
- Math, 7%
Present strong mathematical knowledge and various math applications.
- Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Performed assigned preventative maintenance work according to standards ensuring all instructions are followed and that each step is fully executed.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Included use of various hand tools, forklift maneuvering, operated certain machines for the job.
- Data Entry, 5%
Use computer for data entry (JDE, and other software as required).
Common skills that a packaging technician uses to do their job include "basic math," "gmp," and "math." You can find details on the most important packaging technician responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a packaging technician to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Additionally, a packaging technician resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "process data entry of shipping and receiving transactions into logs and/or computer system per standard operating procedure. "
Communication skills. Many packaging technician duties rely on communication skills. "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.," so a packaging technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways packaging technician responsibilities rely on communication skills: "involved heavy lifting and good communication skills. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for packaging technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how packaging technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a packaging technician: "machine operation, packaging, labeling, bagging, debagging, inspection, cleaning,inventory, detail oriented, etc. ".
Math skills. For certain packaging technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a packaging technician rely on this skill, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what packaging technicians do: "perform activities involving calculations of materials, use of scales, sample collection for stability/retention and proper documentation and math skills. "
The three companies that hire the most packaging technicians are:
- Thermo Fisher Scientific17 packaging technicians jobs
- System One13 packaging technicians jobs
- Anheuser-Busch11 packaging technicians jobs
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Compare different packaging technicians
Packaging technician vs. Filler 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, packaging technician responsibilities require skills like "preventative maintenance," "hand tools," "data entry," and "work ethic." Meanwhile a typical filler operator has skills in areas such as "food safety," "restraints," "filling equipment," and "sqf." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Filler operators tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,472. In contrast, packaging technicians make the biggest average salary, $39,796, in the pharmaceutical industry.On average, filler operators reach similar levels of education than packaging technicians. Filler operators are 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Packaging technician vs. Relief 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 technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "math," "hand tools," "data entry," and "work ethic." Meanwhile, a relief operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "food safety," "cdl," "production floor," and "machine operators." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Relief operators may earn a higher salary than packaging technicians, but relief operators earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $46,955. On the other hand, packaging technicians receive higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $39,796.In general, relief operators achieve similar levels of education than packaging technicians. They're 2.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Packaging technician vs. Production operator
A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use. Should there be any issues or concerns regarding safety, it is essential to notify a supervisor right away.
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 technician is likely to be skilled in "calipers," "product quality," "cleanliness," and "line equipment," while a typical production operator is skilled in "customer service," "lean manufacturing," "minor maintenance," and "ladders."
Production operators earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $37,865. Packaging technicians earn the highest pay from the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $39,796.When it comes to education, production operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to packaging technicians. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Packaging technician vs. Pack out operator
A pack out operator is a manufacturing or packaging operation employee responsible for the final packaging of goods prior to shipping. Pack out operators come in at the last stage of the manufacturing process to ensure readiness. You will primarily work with machines and ensure that the right packaging standards and procedures are adhered to. The pack out operator oversees package labeling, branding, weighing, inspection and verification, and palletizing.
Types of packaging technician
Updated January 8, 2025
