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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Food Packer

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingFood & BeverageWarehouse

🎯 Role Definition

The Food Packer is an essential production team member responsible for accurately packaging, labeling, inspecting, and preparing food products for distribution while maintaining strict food safety, quality, and sanitation standards. This role requires attention to detail, physical stamina, and the ability to work in a fast-paced production environment (including cold storage) while following HACCP, GMP, and company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Worker / Line Assembler
  • Warehouse Associate / Seasonal Shipping & Receiving
  • Food Service Worker or Kitchen Prep Staff

Advancement To:

  • Lead Packer / Team Lead
  • Production / Line Supervisor
  • Quality Control Inspector
  • Shift Supervisor or Production Planner

Lateral Moves:

  • Packaging Machine Operator
  • Forklift Operator / Material Handler
  • Inventory Control Clerk
  • Sanitation Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Inspect and pack finished food products according to product specifications and packaging instructions, ensuring accurate counts, correct portioning, and consistent presentation for retail or wholesale customers.
  • Operate and monitor packaging equipment (including flow wrappers, vacuum sealers, tray sealers, baggers, and shrink-wrap machines) safely and efficiently, making minor mechanical adjustments to maintain continuous flow.
  • Weigh, measure, and portion food items to meet precise product weight and quality standards, using scales and measurement tools and recording variances as required by SOPs.
  • Verify labeling accuracy—apply and inspect product labels, lot codes, best-by dates, and allergen statements to ensure regulatory and customer compliance.
  • Perform visual and sensory quality checks to detect packaging defects, foreign materials, damaged goods, or off-spec products; quarantine and document nonconforming items and notify quality control.
  • Follow FIFO (first in, first out) and product rotation practices to maintain freshness and traceability across all packaged goods.
  • Adhere strictly to HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen control procedures, and sanitation schedules to prevent contamination and maintain a safe food production environment.
  • Maintain accurate production and packaging records, including batch numbers, quantities packed, downtime, and material usage; complete required electronic or paper documentation.
  • Prepare and stage packaging materials (cases, trays, dividers, labels, pallets) to support uninterrupted production runs and minimize changeover time.
  • Load, palletize, and secure finished product onto pallets according to stacking and weight guidelines; prepare pallets for storage or shipment including shrink-wrapping and strapping.
  • Operate checkweighers, metal detectors, X-ray systems, or vision inspection systems (where provided) and perform routine checks and calibrations to ensure equipment is functioning correctly.
  • Conduct pre-shift and post-shift machine and workstation inspections, report malfunctions immediately, and participate in basic troubleshooting to reduce production delays.
  • Maintain production line hygiene by following daily cleaning, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and working with sanitation teams during scheduled cleaning cycles.
  • Communicate effectively with production supervisors, quality assurance, and maintenance teams to coordinate line changeovers, resolve packing defects, and improve throughput.
  • Meet production quotas and daily targets while maintaining quality standards and minimizing waste and rework.
  • Handle refrigerated and frozen products in cold storage and controlled environments, following cold chain requirements and appropriate PPE usage.
  • Assist with receiving, counting, and inspecting packaging materials and consumables; report shortages or damaged supplies to inventory control.
  • Participate in continuous improvement activities such as 5S, Kaizen events, and root cause analysis to improve efficiency, safety, and product quality.
  • Train and mentor new packers and temporary staff on safe operation, SOP adherence, packing techniques, and quality expectations.
  • Comply with company health and safety policies, including lifting protocols, machine guarding rules, and emergency procedures to maintain a safe workplace.

Secondary Functions

  • Support inventory cycles by helping with periodic counts of packaging materials and finished goods; update inventory systems as directed.
  • Assist quality assurance with sample collection, labeling, and documentation for laboratory testing or retention samples.
  • Contribute to daily production reports and metrics tracking (throughput, downtime, yield), offering practical feedback to supervisors for process optimization.
  • Participate in cross-functional shift handovers, communicating unresolved issues, product changes, or special customer requirements.
  • Maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure work attire complies with food safety and hygiene standards.
  • Support ad-hoc packing or kitting requests for special orders, promotional packs, or seasonal product changes.
  • Help coordinate outbound staging for logistics and loading teams to ensure timely shipping and minimize order errors.
  • Participate in safety meetings and food safety training sessions; stay current with certifications and refresher courses required by the company.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong knowledge of food safety practices including HACCP principles, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
  • Experience operating common packaging equipment such as flow wrappers, tray sealers, baggers, vacuum packers, and shrink-wrap machines.
  • Familiarity with inspection systems including metal detectors, checkweighers, and visual inspection procedures; basic calibration and validation skills.
  • Accurate weighing and portioning skills using digital scales and measuring devices; ability to perform basic arithmetic for counts and weights.
  • Labeling and lot code application competency, including manual and automated labeling equipment and barcode verification.
  • Cold chain handling experience: working in refrigerated and frozen environments while maintaining product integrity and safety.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for minor machine adjustments, changeovers, and preventative maintenance support.
  • Experience with inventory control processes and basic warehouse tasks: palletizing, wrapping, staging, and stock rotation (FIFO).
  • Competence with production documentation—batch records, packing lists, and electronic data capture (ERP/WMS) entry.
  • Knowledge of allergen control and segregation procedures to prevent cross-contact and ensure allergen labeling compliance.
  • Familiarity with PPE requirements and safe lifting/ergonomic practices to minimize workplace injuries.
  • Ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) precisely and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and observational skills to identify product or packaging defects quickly.
  • Reliable time management and the ability to consistently meet production targets and deadlines.
  • Teamwork and communication skills to coordinate with operators, supervisors, quality, and maintenance personnel.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to work varying shifts, overtime, and seasonal production changes.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes of packing issues and suggest practical improvements.
  • Positive work ethic and dependability—arriving on time and maintaining consistent attendance.
  • Ability to remain focused during repetitive tasks while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
  • Willingness to learn, take direction, and train new team members.
  • Strong safety mindset and commitment to following all health and safety protocols.
  • Customer-focused approach to ensure finished goods meet customer specifications and brand standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is typically required.

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate or vocational training in food production, manufacturing technology, or related fields.
  • Food safety certifications such as ServSafe, HACCP, or company-specific food safety training are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science or Food Technology
  • Packaging Technology or Industrial Maintenance
  • Supply Chain / Logistics
  • Culinary Arts or Hospitality (for certain specialty packing roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level: 0–2 years in manufacturing, warehouse, or food handling roles.
  • Mid-level: 1–3 years of direct food packaging or production line experience.

Preferred:

  • 1–3+ years of experience in food packing, packaging operations, or production line roles with demonstrated knowledge of HACCP/GMP and packaging equipment operation.
  • Prior experience in cold-storage environments, working with allergen controls, or operating inspection equipment (metal detectors/checkweighers) is strongly preferred.
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