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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hand Packer

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingPackagingProductionWarehouse

🎯 Role Definition

As a Hand Packer, you will be responsible for assembling, weighing, labeling, and packaging finished goods according to company standards, production schedules, and quality control requirements. This role requires strong attention to detail, reliable manual dexterity, adherence to safety and GMP/HACCP protocols, and the ability to meet daily production rates while maintaining product integrity and accurate documentation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Associate / Line Worker
  • Warehouse Assistant / Picker-Packer
  • Assembler or Material Handler

Advancement To:

  • Lead Hand Packer / Lead Packaging Associate
  • Packaging Supervisor / Production Team Lead
  • Quality Control Inspector / QA Technician
  • Inventory Control Specialist / Shipping Coordinator
  • Production Supervisor / Operations Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Machine Operator (fillers, sealers, labelers)
  • Forklift / Lift Truck Operator (with certification)
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Inspect incoming packaging materials (boxes, trays, liners, labels, shrink film) and verify quantities and quality before use, reporting any defects or shortages to supervision.
  • Read and interpret work orders, pack lists, production schedules, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to assemble product kits and pack finished goods to specification.
  • Hand-pack product into primary and secondary packaging using specified packing patterns, portioning, and layering to prevent damage and meet visual standards.
  • Accurately weigh and measure product using bench scales, floor scales, and checkweighers to ensure each package meets specified net weights and documented tolerances.
  • Apply labels, lot codes, date codes, and barcodes using hand applicators or tape guns, ensuring legibility, correct orientation, and compliance with regulatory labeling requirements.
  • Operate manual packaging tools and small equipment (shrink-wrap tunnels, tabletop sealers, tape dispensers, banders) safely and efficiently to support production throughput.
  • Seal, fold, glue, and close cartons and trays consistently to protect product integrity and maintain pallet stability during storage and transit.
  • Build and stack pallets according to palletizing patterns, load plans, and stretch-wrap or band finished pallets to secure product for shipping.
  • Sort, inspect, and remove defective or nonconforming product from the line, documenting defects, completing nonconformance reports, and notifying quality or supervision.
  • Follow FIFO (first-in, first-out) inventory rotation and lot control procedures to ensure oldest product is packed and shipped first and to maintain traceability for recalls.
  • Perform in-process quality checks (visual, weight, label accuracy, seal integrity) at defined sampling intervals and record results on production logs or electronic systems.
  • Meet or exceed daily production quotas and cycle-time targets while maintaining quality standards — proactively communicate impediments to leads to prevent bottlenecks.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary work areas by performing routine housekeeping tasks, wiping down surfaces, removing packaging scrap, and following cleaning checklists.
  • Adhere to GMPs, HACCP plans, and other food safety or regulatory requirements (where applicable), including wearing required PPE (hairnets, gloves, aprons) and practicing personal hygiene protocols.
  • Participate in line changeovers by removing old materials, staging new packaging components, resetting counts, and verifying new work order details to minimize downtime.
  • Record production data accurately in paper logs, production boards, or electronic manufacturing execution systems (MES), including quantities packed, rejects, downtime, and material usage.
  • Assist with occasional manual lifting and movement of materials using pallet jacks or hand trucks in accordance with safe lifting techniques and company safe work practices.
  • Cross-train on adjacent packaging tasks (labeling, kitting, shrink-wrapping) to provide flexible coverage during peak production periods or team absences.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting packaging, layout, or equipment changes to reduce waste, increase speed, or improve ergonomics on the packing line.
  • Participate in safety audits and toolbox talks, immediately report hazards or near-misses, and support corrective actions to improve workplace safety culture.
  • Verify counts for outbound cartons and pallets during staging for shipment, assist shipping staff with loading checks, and ensure paperwork or electronic shipment manifests are accurate.
  • Communicate effectively with production leads, quality, and maintenance to escalate equipment issues, packaging shortages, or quality incidents for fast resolution.
  • Follow allergen control and segregation procedures (if applicable), ensuring designated lines and packaging are maintained to prevent cross-contact.
  • Perform scheduled equipment cleaning and minor preventative maintenance tasks (clearing jams, replacing blades, lubricating simple components) and escalate complex repairs to maintenance.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with periodic inventory cycle counts and reconciliations for packaging materials and finished goods to support inventory accuracy.
  • Support receiving and put-away of packaging supplies when required during peak stocking or seasonal increases.
  • Help train new or temporary packing team members on standard packing methods, safety practices, and quality checks.
  • Participate in continuous improvement and 5S activities to organize the workspace and eliminate waste.
  • Contribute to documentation updates for packing SOPs, checklists, and training materials based on observed process changes.
  • Help coordinate timely material staging and kitting for upcoming production runs to reduce line changeover time.
  • Aid the quality team during internal audits by supplying production records and assisting with sample pull requests.
  • Assist in maintaining necessary documentation for lot traceability, releases, and product disposition.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven experience in hand packing, case packing, or line packaging within manufacturing, food, beverage, or consumer goods environments.
  • Strong knowledge of packaging materials (cartons, trays, films, adhesives) and the ability to select and handle materials correctly.
  • Competency using bench and floor scales, checkweighers, and basic measurement devices for product weight verification.
  • Skilled at applying labels, date/lot coding, barcodes, and tamper-evident seals to comply with traceability and regulatory requirements.
  • Experience with palletizing techniques, stretch-wrapping, banding, and preparing pallets for safe shipment.
  • Ability to read and interpret work orders, packing instructions, SOPs, and quality checklists accurately.
  • Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, allergen control, and other food safety or regulatory standards (where applicable).
  • Basic computer and data-entry skills for recording production counts and using barcode scanners or MES terminals.
  • Ability to perform repetitive hand tasks with good manual dexterity and maintain consistent packing quality over long shifts.
  • Knowledge of FIFO inventory rotation and lot control procedures to maintain product traceability.
  • Competence with basic hand tools and small packaging machinery, including minor troubleshooting and jam-clearing.
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing or 5S principles is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to product quality and packaging accuracy.
  • Strong time management and ability to meet production quotas while maintaining compliance with quality and safety.
  • Good communication skills to coordinate with leads, quality, maintenance, and shipping teams.
  • Reliable, punctual, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, production-line environment.
  • Team-oriented mindset with willingness to cross-train and support teammates during peak demand.
  • Physical stamina, endurance, and the ability to stand for extended periods, perform repetitive motions, and lift moderate weights safely.
  • Problem-solving orientation to identify packing inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
  • Flexibility to accept varying shift schedules, overtime, and seasonal workload fluctuations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate in manufacturing, warehousing, or food safety (optional).
  • Certifications such as Forklift Operator, HACCP, or GMP training (preferred for advancement).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Logistics & Supply Chain
  • Food Science / Food Safety
  • Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level to 3+ years of hands-on packaging or production experience.

Preferred:

  • 1–2+ years of packing experience in a manufacturing, food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods environment, with demonstrated competency in quality checks, labeling, and palletizing. Experience with GMP/HACCP and basic use of MES or barcode scanning systems is highly desirable.
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