Packaging Technician Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the packaging technician job description,  including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the packaging technician role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Packaging Technician Do?

A packaging technician works on the packaging aspects of products before shipment and sale.

The packaging technician job description involves tasks like operating packaging machinery, assembling packaging components, inspecting finished packaged products, labeling packages properly, and preparing items for shipment.

Packaging technicians typically report to a packaging manager, warehouse manager, production supervisor, or logistics manager depending on the company.

They generally work in warehouses, factories, production plants and processing facilities.

A high school diploma combined with on-the-job training is usually sufficient. Some complexes tasks may require specialized training and certification.

The packaging technician duties also include perating packaging equipment, assembling boxes/containers, inspecting packaged items, labeling packages, and preparing finished products for shipping.

It also involves handling some inventory management, basic machine maintenance, and coordinating with warehouses.

Nearly all products require proper packaging for distribution, making this a vital role in every country. Standards differ between countries though.

Attention to detail, physical ability to stand for long periods, teamwork skills, mechanical aptitude, and basic computer literacy are valued by employers

No universal licensing organization though some locations require certification to operate certain packaging machinery.

OSHA provides health and safety guidance.

Packaging Technician Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The packaging technician job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Operate packaging equipment like sealers, box formers, label dispensers, blister pack machines, and more
• Assemble corrugated boxes, plastic containers, tubes, drums, bags and other packaging as needed
• Adjust packaging machinery based on product specifications and size
• Perform routine inspections of empty packaging materials before use
• Carefully pack manufactured goods into appropriate boxes, crates, bags and other packaging
• Accurately label packaging materials with contents, quantities, shipping codes, expiration dates, fragility warnings, etc.
• Use protective inserts like foam, air bags, Styrofoam pellets to safeguard packaged contents 
• Perform final inspections of sealed, finished packages before authorized shipment
• Evaluate damaged and rejected packaging and determine cause
• Comply with all health and safety regulations when operating machinery
• Maintain a clean, orderly and efficient workspace
• Secure palletized load shipments using shrink wrap or protective strapping
• Complete logs and documentation related to packaging tasks and inventory
• Install product guides, funnels, stops and other adjustable parts to aid packaging
• Communicate effectively about specifications, issues, updates with colleagues 
• Prepare packaged orders for pickup and delivery according to schedule
• Use hand tools like box cutters, scissors, heat guns for specialized sealing/closing
• Report all malfunctioning or unsafe packaging equipment immediately
• Align packaged containers properly on conveyor belts for automatic wrapping
• Record products packaged and reconcile figures with production logs
• Setup, test and adjust new packaging machinery equipment or processes
• Provide work instructions and training to other packaging technicians or helpers
• Maintain cleanliness standards in packaging area and report any sanitation issues 
• Recommend solutions to remediate safety hazards, reduce waste and improve efficiency
• Participate in continuous improvement and cost reduction efforts.

Packaging Technician Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a packaging technician or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can make a compelling Professional Experience section for your resume by applying the sample packaging technician job description provided above.

You can highlight the major duties and responsibilities you have performed or currently carrying out as a packaging technician in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above packaging technician job description example.

This will show to recruiters/employers that you have been successful performing the packaging technician job, which can boost your chances of getting hired for the new position that you are seeking, especially if it requires someone with some packaging technician work experience.

Packaging Technician Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

To carry out their responsibilities effectively, packaging technicians need to have certain essential skills, knowledge areas, and abilities.

Some key ones, which most employers/recruiters usually require, include:

• Equipment operation – Ability to properly operate packaging equipment like sealers, box formers, label dispensers, etc.
• Use of hand tools – Familiar with usage of hand tools like box cutters, scissors, heat guns for closing packages
• Attention to detail – Meticulous about properly sealing, labeling, coding packages to avoid issues
• Physical stamina – Ability to stand for long periods while packaging high volumes of finished goods
• Packaging materials – Understanding of characteristics of packaging options like corrugated boxes, shrink wrap, pallets, bags, drums, tubes etc.
• Protective measures – Familiarity with protective inserts like foam, air bags and methods for safeguarding package contents
• Shipping codes/requirements – Knowledge of applicable shipping codes, fragility indicators, expiration date labels etc. needed on packages
• Inventory procedures – Understand general inventory management procedures related to packaging supplies and finished goods
• Manual dexterity – Steady hands and dexterity to efficiently pack a wide variety of products into packaging 
• Visual acuity – Sharp vision ability to spot defects in raw packaging materials or final packaged products
• Communication skills – Able to convey issues, specifications clearly with colleagues and leadership
• Collaborative mindset – Willing to assist team members when needed to meet packaging production goals. 

Packaging Technician Salary

The typical yearly pay for packaging technicians across the country was $41,860 back in May of 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The top 5 highest-paying states for the job that year were California at $55,890, Washington at $53,750, Oregon at $53,450, Alaska at $52,320, and Massachusetts at $51,790.

There’s a bunch of stuff that can impact how much a packaging tech makes, like where they’re located, how much experience they have, their education level, what industry they work in, and what kinds of skills they have.

Conclusion

For those interested in working in packaging operations, a packaging technician role can provide stable employment with decent wages.

The ability to accurately and efficiently pack manufactured goods for distribution is a skill needed across countless industries.

While packaging technician jobs may involve repetitive tasks, they play a vital behind-the-scenes role in getting products to customers.

For those who enjoy hands-on work and have good attention to detail, it can be a rewarding career path.

The work environment also appeals to those looking for roles based in industrial, warehouse and plant settings.

The information in this article is helpful to both the job seekers and employers to better understand what the packaging technician job description consists of.

 Key details have been provided on their responsibilities, work environments, required qualifications, and compensation, regulatory bodies and more.

Packaging technician job openings are available across the majority of industries, making it a versatile career option.

The critical duties packaging technicians perform ensure goods make it to store shelves, front doors and businesses safely.

It’s a role suited for those interested in becoming an indispensable part of the supply chain.