Job Description
Job Summary
The Packaging Supervisor ensures safe, efficient, and compliant packaging of finished food products. You will supervise packaging line activities, mentor packaging associates, troubleshoot line issues, and drive continuous improvement in throughput, quality, and food safety. You will champion HACCP principles, allergen controls, and traceability throughout the packaging process.
Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate, and execute daily packaging activities to meet production schedules and food safety standards.
- Lead and supervise packaging operators; assign tasks, monitor performance, coach, train, and ensure adherence to procedures.
- Ensure packaging lines run smoothly with minimal downtime; troubleshoot equipment, format, labeling, and packaging integrity issues.
- Verify product identity, lot codes, best-before dates, allergen statements, and packaging configurations at line entry and exit.
- Maintain accurate batch records, weigh-and-wrap documentation, changeovers, line clearance, and lot-traceability per SOPs.
- Enforce GMP, HACCP, food safety, allergen controls, and relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, CFIA, EFSA as applicable); promote a clean and safe work environment.
- Monitor line performance metrics (OEE, yield, scrap, downtime, changeover times) and implement improvements to support food safety and quality.
- Coordinate with QA, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Production Planning to resolve issues and optimize throughput while maintaining safety & compliance.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives (kaizen, lean) to reduce waste, downtime, changeover time, and allergen cross-contact risk.
- Conduct safety briefings, risk assessments, and participate in incident investigations; ensure corrective actions are completed.
- Assist with training new operators on packaging equipment, standard work, allergen handling, and quality standards.
- Maintain accurate inventory for packaging materials, labels, allergen controls, and finished goods.
Skills/Qualification
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent; technical diploma or associate degree in manufacturing, packaging, food science, or related field preferred.
- Experience: 2–5 years in food packaging operations or manufacturing; supervisory or team-leading experience preferred.
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of food packaging processes, labeling, serialization/traceability, allergen controls, and line clearance procedures; familiarity with GMP, HACCP, SQF/ISO 22000 or other food safety standards.
- Technical: Proficiency with packaging equipment (cartoners, case packers, printers/labelers, shrink wrap); basic PLC/SCADA understanding is a plus.
- Quality & Compliance: Excellent attention to detail; ability to interpret SOPs, batch records, allergen controls, and quality specifications.
- Problem Solving: Effective root-cause analysis and troubleshooting skills; able to identify food safety risks and implement mitigations.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication; ability to coach and mentor teammates; clear documentation of deviations and corrective actions.
- Safety: Commitment to a safe work environment; knowledge of and adherence to safety protocols; forklift certification often preferred.
Desired Skills/Qualification
- HACCP Certification or Food Safety Certification
- SQF/ISO 22000 awareness or certification
- OSHA/Safety training
- Allergen Control training
- Forklift certification (if applicable)
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods; ability to lift/move up to 50 lbs as required by packaging operations.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise, varying temperatures, and exposure to cleaning chemicals and food ingredients.
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