Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Packaging Technician
A Packaging Technician is a professional who is responsible for designing, developing, and testing packaging materials and systems for products. They ensure that the packaging is safe, functional, and compliant with industry regulations such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Packaging Technicians.
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Main Responsibilities of Packaging Technician
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Packaging Technician:
Add
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
Adhere to
Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
Adhere to any internal and external good manufacturing guidelines and industry regulations.
Adhere to hygiene and sanitization policies as set by the company and Health Canada.
Adhere to performance standards.
Adjust
Adjust machine micro logic set-up as needed to maintain an efficient and low waste operation.
Aid
Aid the operation of packaging machinery by trouble shooting issues with codes, dates and prices.
Alert
Alert management of any potential deviations or infractions in a timely manner.
Alert the Line Leader or other management personnel to potential quality concerns.
Apply
Apply Good Manufacturing Principles in all areas of responsibility.
Apply proper housekeeping techniques.
Apply the metric system to assigned process calculations.
Assist in
Assist and / or submits maintenance work orders.
Assist fellow employees with understanding and following safe work practices and regulations.
Assist in a variety of aspects throughout the business as needed.
Assist in material handling using manual operated pallet jacks.
Assist in set-up of manufacturing tasks if required.
Assist Inventory and Distribution Manager with maintaining and organizing packaging materials.
Assist Maintenance Technicians with Preventive Maintenance and Calibration activities.
Assist packaging and shipping teams to fulfill production needs.
Assist packaging personnel with troubleshooting / investigation issues as required.
Assist supervisor in completing daily line paperwork on KPIs.
Assist with communications to Quality Assurance on holds, changeovers, etc..
Assist with execution of Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) on any new equipment.
Assist with reworks as necessary to ensure effective completion.
Assure
Assure that products are stored and segregated and clearly marked.
Clean
Clean and maintain bottling / kegging / canning facilities.
Clean and sanitize the line / area.
Collect
Collect and analyze team performance measurements.
Collect hourly metrics from fill, packaging, and biotrack labeling / QA.
Communicate
Communicate effectively with peers and supervisor.
Complete
Complete all logs and related paperwork in a timely, accurate and professional manner.
Complete and prepare appropriate documentation as required i.e. reports, logs, etc..
Complete controlled documents and inventory calculations using basic math.
Complete essential training specific to job function.
Complete job-specific training checklists for 5 packaging lines.
Complete training in cGMP practices, and demonstrate competency.
Comply
Comply with legal and ethical requirements.
Conduct
Conduct all activities in a safe and efficient manner.
Conduct facility sanitization following standard operating procedures.
Conduct primary package testing and validation according to protocol and specifications.
Contribute to
Contribute to building a positive team spirit.
Coordinate
Coordinate efforts with the line lead, mixer / blender, oven technician, QA and maintenance.
Coordinate with maintenance to complete repairs and develop solutions to equipment issues.
Count
Count product batches to insure accurate inventory reporting.
Delegate
Delegate questionable issues upward.
Determine
Determine and report malfunctions to the appropriate parties.
Develop
Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and suppliers.
Embrace
Embrace a safety culture in the workplace with zero tolerance of incidents and accidents.
Ensure
Ensure all corrections are made in the appropriate manner.
Ensure daily that the machines are in good working order.
Ensure each process is operated within the given range of parameters.
Ensure quality of the packaging process.
Ensure quality standards are met through samples at required intervals and perform related actions.
Enter
Enter information in computer system as required.
Evaluate
Evaluate package components and assemblies to ensure package integrity.
Fill in
Fill in all appropriate information in the cleaning logbooks.
Finalize
Finalize all packaging with accuracy to prepare for customer delivery.
Follow
Follow all production procedures and be sure operating in a safe and efficient manner.
Follow all SOPs / cGMPs applicable to the area.
Follow batch record or protocol instructions.
Follow directions either written, or oral.
Follow instructions for safe lifting / carrying of various sizes, shapes and weights.
Follow proper dress and secondary gowning policy.
Follow proper dress policy.
Follow safety policies and procedures and insures that all safety equipment is properly maintained.
Follow standard laboratory practices such as pipetting and related liquid handling techniques.
Foster
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.
Hand
Hand count product using counting trays.
Help
Help monitor and manage packaging equipment, supplies and inventory.
Help to clean, set up and maintain filling, packaging and warehouse areas and equipment.
Identify
Identify / report issues with equipment.
Identify and understand the operation of assigned packaging equipment and parts.
Identify products properly to go in fridges, retrieve products from fridge.
Inspect
Inspect blister units and place them into properly assigned card locations for multi-fill operations.
Inspect bottles for misaligned closures, print registration and missing print copy.
Inspect product according to production specifications, and quality standards.
Inspect seal integrity of pouch, print registration and missing print copy.
Inspect seal integrity of pouch, print registration, and missing print copy.
Inspect product and completes required quality checks and necessary forms.
Interpret
Interpret technical drawings to properly select and assemble equipment tools or format parts.
Keep
Keep accurate records at all steps to maintain control of regulated product.
Keep machines and work areas clean, wipes packaging machines off and blows down area when required.
Keep
Keep work area and other facilities clean, orderly and safe.
Keep worksite organized and help with duties for order fulfillment / shipment.
Know
Know proper staging and storage location for supplies and equipment.
Label
Label application to consistently follow all visual / written procedures.
Lead
Lead direct activities for production focus on equipment and process.
Learn
Learn and comply with all SOP's and associated documentation.
Learn and demonstrate good housekeeping practices.
Learn computer system access.
Learn equipment operation procedures and demonstrate understanding.
Learn functions of line clearance.
Learn key terminology associated with pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Learn key terminology associated with Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
Learn the operation of Motorized Materials Handling Equipment as assigned.
Learn to apply and follow good lifting techniques.
Learn to complete product specific packaging documents and log book entries.
Learn to complete product-specific packaging documents and logbook entries.
Learn to de-corrugate material shipped from vendors.
Learn to document steps accurately and legibly.
Learn to identify "out-of-spec” material.
Learn to identify packaging component and finished goods quality expectations.
Learn to operator basic labeling & packaging machines safely.
Learn to use Packaging related Standard Operating Procedures, Batch Records, Log Books and Job Aides.
Learn to wrap skids of product.
Lend
Lend assistance to Quality Assurance with regards to in-process inspection if / as required.
Load
Load and unload items from machines, carts, and dollies.
Load machines with components (products, leaflets and cartons).
Maintain
Maintain accurate and concurrent documentation of all tasks completed.
Maintain and complete accurate records (time cards, batch records, log books, etc.).
Maintain a positive attitude and be able to work well with others in a team environment.
Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures.
Maintain change parts in good mechanical condition.
Maintain clean and safe work area at all time.
Maintain consistency through repetition to maintain uniformity in products.
Maintain equipment in good condition.
Maintain open communication with management and team.
Maintain raw material inventory and communicates discrepancies as needed.
Maintain records / logbooks / etc. as required by management.
Maintain solid attention to detail to ensure compliance and stability.
Make
Make all necessary adjustments to equipment.
Monitor
Monitor all tasks in packaging areas.
Monitor, evaluate and adjust processes or packaging equipment to maximize quality and efficiency.
Notify
Notify supervisor or lead of potential problems with finished product and / or machinery.
Operate
Operate assigned equipment, i.e., PLC controlled packaging line, vision system, etc..
Operate material handling devices, electric pallet jack, manual pallet jacks, and hi-lifts.
Operate packaging equipment and other related tasks.
Operate semi-automated or automated filling, capping and labeling equipment.
Operate packaging department equipment.
Organize
Organize equipment parts and maintain 5S for all equipment parts and tooling.
Participate in
Participate in continuous quality improvement.
Perform
Perform all other duties assigned.
Perform and documents all necessary tests / checks to ensure product quality and food safety.
Perform and documents line clearances before each operation.
Perform cleaning of packaging rooms and equipment following proper sanitation procedures.
Perform conversions within the metric system.
Perform daily balance calibration.
Perform daily bottle preparation, filling and packaging functions.
Perform glassware and general equipment cleaning pre and post production.
Perform in-process and post-process sampling according to protocols or batch records.
Perform job responsibilities in a manner consistent with and supportive of the company's values.
Perform on-line batch document review for the applicable sections as per checklist.
Perform or assists with Preventative Maintenance (PM) as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform other duties as required or directed by the Department Supervisor or Lead.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as may be required.
Perform other related work as required.
Perform packaging line clearance per established procedures.
Perform PC tasks, i.e. SAP transactions, BMS activates (Walk-In-Dryers) , etc..
Perform quality checks on labels and codes.
Perform training, as needed.
Perform visual inspections of production and document results.
Practice
Practice good safety techniques in the manufacturing area, including lock-out / Tag-out procedures.
Practice safe work conditions and apply company health and safety policies.
Prepare
Prepare, complete and correct documentation following GDP and in compliance with SOPs and cGMP.
Prepare incident reports and file notes.
Provide
Provide coverage for other Packaging Technicians and Warehouse persons when necessary.
Provide feedback to leadership regarding issues and errors with GMP documentation.
Reach
Reach with hands and arms.
Read
Read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).
Read and understands packaging procedures prior to each job.
Remove
Remove trash from work area floor.
Report
Report all deviations encountered during sampling and testing processes to the department Supervisor.
Report all quality deviations immediately, following proper operation procedures.
Report correction to Bills of Material.
Report unusual sounds, smells, etc..
Report when small equipment needs replacing.
Retrieve
Retrieve components from warehouse and return to warehouse filing in BPRs.
Review
Review and generate SOPs and keep current with SOPs.
Review logbooks for completeness and provide feedback to Packaging personnel, where applicable.
Schedule
Schedule people within the operation.
Select
Select the country where you are applying for employment, and review.
Set-up
Set up and operates multiple machines in the packaging area.
Set-up and disassemble packaging equipment.
Set-up packaging section of filling lines (paperwork, samples, components).
Set-up room for efficient operation of filling, and packaging.
Sort
Sort through and reworks all good product.
Stand
Stand or be on their feet for long periods of time.
Submit
Submit accurate records of filling and packaging work performed to the Packaging Supervisor.
Support
Support clinical drug trial projects by packing and shipping lifesaving drugs.
Support clinical trial projects through the packaging of clinical trial supplies.
Support equipment settings and troubleshooting activities.
Support everyone's efforts to succeed.
Support new product lines and process development as needed.
Support the team to deliver the expected business results with dedication and integrity.
Take
Take on additional responsibilities as needed.
Transport
Transport packaged goods to shipping or finished goods warehouse.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and repair equipment as needed.
Troubleshoot equipment problems within the department.
Understand
Understand and adhere to safety standards.
Understand and adhere to SOP requirements, GMP practices and job specific packaging procedures.
Understand and apply instructions in written, oral, and / or diagram formats.
Understand and be concurrent on all SOPs to ensure cGMP compliance.
Understand and comply with all safety programs and procedures.
Understand basic problem-solving methods (Method 1 training).
Understand equipment KPIs and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) measurements.
Understand instruction and follow direction.
Use
Use calculator to calculate amounts packaged, rejects, etc.
Work
Work as a team member to meet and exceed the operation targets in safety, quality, and productivity.
Work as part of a team operating a pharmaceutical packaging line.
Work in a complex integrated computerized manufacturing environment.
Work with Qualified Trainer to support Operator development.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Packaging Technician:
Manufacturing Environment
Packaging
Ladder Climbing
Climbing
Smelling
Stooping
Tasting
Walking
Mechanical Ability
Lockout / Tag Out Certification
Mechanical Aptitudes
Windows Based Applications
Hand Dexterity
General Math
Read And Interpret Procedures
Safety Techniques
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Packaging Technician:
Written and oral communication skills
Attention to detail
Attendance
Leadership
Decision-making
Work flexible hours and overtime
Work in a team environment
Work effectively under pressure
Analytical ability
Follow written and oral instructions in an accurate manner
Troubleshoot problems
Dynamic
Work in a fast-paced environment
Detail-oriented
Organizational capacity
