Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kombucha Packaging Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Kombucha Packaging Technician is a production-focused role responsible for operating and maintaining bottling/canning/packaging lines for kombucha products. Primary duties include set-up and changeovers of filling, capping, and labeling equipment; performing routine preventive maintenance and basic mechanical troubleshooting; executing sanitation and CIP procedures; conducting in-line quality and safety checks; and recording accurate production and quality data. The role requires strict adherence to GMP/HACCP procedures, partnership with quality and maintenance teams, and a continuous improvement mindset to support throughput, yield, and product integrity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Packaging Line Operator (beverage/food)
Brewer or Fermentation Technician
Manufacturing/Production Associate

Advancement To:

Lead Packaging Technician / Shift Lead
Packaging Supervisor / Production Supervisor
Quality Assurance Technician or Manufacturing Coordinator
Maintenance Technician or Process Technician

Lateral Moves:

QA / Food Safety Specialist
Sanitation Lead
Warehouse & Logistics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Set up, calibrate, and operate bottling, canning, and/or pouch-filling equipment for kombucha lines, including fillers, cappers, labelers, conveyors, checkweighers, and case packers to meet daily production plans and quality standards.
Perform line changeovers and SKU changeover activities (nozzle swaps, format adjustments, label retooling) safely and efficiently to minimize downtime and scrap while following documented SOPs.
Conduct pre-run machine inspections, start-up checks, and end-of-shift shutdowns; adjust machine settings for fill levels, torque, and labeling alignment to ensure consistent package presentation and compliance.
Execute routine preventive maintenance tasks (lubrication, belt/tension adjustments, sensor cleaning, basic part replacements) and escalate complex mechanical/electrical issues to maintenance teams with clear fault descriptions and logs.
Monitor and control fill accuracy and carbonation preservation for kombucha products by verifying fill weights, headspace, vacuum/pressure settings, and CO2 retention protocols throughout production runs.
Lead and perform aseptic handling and GMP-compliant practices, including wearing proper PPE, using sanitized tools, and following contamination-control measures unique to live-culture beverages.
Conduct in-process quality inspections for visual defects (leaks, label placement, cap integrity), organoleptic checks as required, and sample testing for pH, brix, and carbonation with documented results.
Operate and verify operation of CIP (clean-in-place) systems and sanitation cycles for lines and tanks, documenting chemical usage, contact times, and validation checks per sanitation schedules.
Record production metrics and quality data accurately in logs, MES, or ERP systems—including yield, downtime reasons, rejects, and corrective actions—to support traceability and continuous improvement activities.
Adhere to inventory control procedures by rotating packaging materials (caps, bottles, cans, labels), conducting QC checks on incoming packaging, and reporting shortages or discrepancies to planning.
Participate in root cause analysis for recurring defects or line stoppages, contributing practical insights for Pareto analyses and supporting implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Train new operators on equipment operation, changeover procedures, safety practices, and documentation expectations; reinforce standardized work and continuous improvement methods on the floor.
Ensure compliance with federal and state food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, local health codes), internal HACCP plans, allergen controls, and company food safety policies for kombucha production and packaging.
Maintain a clean, safe production environment by following SOPs for waste management, spill control, and preventative housekeeping to reduce foreign material risk and meet audit readiness.
Participate in scheduled housekeeping and sanitation tasks for packaging areas, including cleaning conveyors, chutes, labeling stations, and small parts, to sustain product quality and safety.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance to quarantine suspect lots, execute hold-tagging procedures, and support lab sampling and testing requests for trending and non-conformance investigations.
Execute first-line troubleshooting of sensors, actuators, and basic PLC functions (start/stop/reset, jam clearing) during production interruptions to restore line operation quickly and safely.
Support packaging engineering and continuous improvement projects by providing operators’ perspective on changeover designs, ergonomics, bottlenecks, and test runs for new packaging formats.
Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, and other safety procedures when performing maintenance or cleaning activities; ensure coworkers are protected during interventions.
Operate material handling equipment (forklift, pallet jack) safely to stage packaged product and raw packaging materials in compliance with warehouse and plant safety policies.
Maintain and update packaging BOMs, labeling records, and production worksheets to ensure accuracy for traceability, compliance labeling, and customer specifications.
Communicate production status, quality issues, and safety concerns clearly to shift supervisors, maintenance, QA, and shipping to ensure coordinated, on-time delivery.

Secondary Functions

Assist in small-batch pilot runs and new SKU trials to validate packaging equipment settings, label artwork, and line speeds prior to commercial production.
Support inventory counts for packaging consumables and notify procurement of low stock to prevent production interruptions.
Participate in continuous improvement (Kaizen) events, 5S audits, and root-cause workshops to reduce waste and improve line efficiency.
Help maintain and update SOPs, work instructions, and start-up/shutdown checklists to reflect best practices and recent procedural improvements.
Provide backup support to filling or fermentation teams as needed during peak production or staffing shortages.
Assist QA and regulatory teams during internal and external audits by providing line-level documentation and demonstrating process controls.
Participate in cross-training to expand skillset across multiple packaging lines and shifts, increasing scheduling flexibility.
Collect and prepare samples for laboratory analysis (microbial, chemical) according to sampling plans and chain-of-custody procedures.
Support seasonal or promotional packaging activities such as special pack runs, secondary packaging changes, or co-packing coordination.
Contribute to sustainability goals by following packaging reduction initiatives and reporting opportunities to reduce scrap and optimize material use.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in operating automated and semi-automated beverage packaging equipment (filling, capping, labeling, case packing).
Experience with canning and bottling processes for carbonated and low-alcohol/cultured beverages; knowledge of how carbonation and live cultures affect packaging parameters.
Skilled in performing line changeovers, SKU change management, and quick-change tooling adjustments to reduce downtime.
Understanding of CIP and sanitation protocols for beverage production lines, including chemical handling and validation documentation.
Basic mechanical troubleshooting ability: belt alignment, pump priming, sensor cleaning, jam clearing, and routine part replacement.
Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP principles, and food safety documentation; capable of following and enforcing SOPs.
Competence with in-process quality checks: fill-weight verification, torque testing, label placement tolerance, visual inspection criteria, and sampling methods.
Experience recording production and quality data using paper logs, MES, or ERP systems and basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel or similar tools.
Ability to safely operate material handling equipment including forklifts and pallet jacks (certification preferred).
Knowledge of lockout/tagout (LOTO), OSHA safety standards, and safe chemical handling procedures.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to consistent, repeatable quality.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional coordination and accurate record-keeping.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot under pressure and escalate appropriately.
Team-oriented attitude and willingness to train and mentor new operators.
Time management and organization to meet production schedules and maintain accurate documentation.
Adaptability to changing SKUs, production priorities, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Safety-first mentality and reliable adherence to PPE and plant safety policies.
Customer-focused orientation to ensure finished goods meet brand and regulatory expectations.
Initiative to identify and suggest process improvements to reduce downtime and scrap.
Ability to learn technical systems quickly, including PLC interfaces and MES input screens.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Food Science, Brewing Science, Mechanical Technology, or a related manufacturing discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science / Food Technology
Brewing / Fermentation Science
Mechanical / Industrial Technology
Packaging Technology
Quality Assurance / Food Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years in beverage or food packaging operations.

Preferred:

2+ years of direct experience operating bottling/canning/packaging lines in beverage production, ideally with carbonated or fermented products.
Experience working within regulated food production environments following GMP/HACCP and sanitation protocols.
Previous exposure to CIP systems, basic PLC troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance on packaging equipment.