Packaging Department Manager
Job Description
- Seeking a hands-on and experienced Packaging Manager to oversee packaging operations in a high-volume food manufacturing environment. This role will lead all packaging functions including equipment performance, team development, and process optimization. The Packaging Manager will be accountable for safety compliance, food quality standards, labor/material efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead day-to-day packaging operations across vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal systems, zipper pouch machines, and bulk case packaging lines.
- Drive continuous improvement efforts with a focus on reducing waste, downtime, and material variances while enhancing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Develop and implement lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S, root cause analysis, and Kaizen events.
- Build and maintain an empowered, accountable team through clear role definition, training, coaching, and performance management.
- Monitor labor and material cost variances and take corrective actions to align with financial targets.
- Oversee scheduling, staffing, and training for both direct and indirect packaging personnel in a 24/7 operation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, R&D, Planning, and HR to achieve production goals.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, GMP, food safety, allergen, and regulatory training requirements.
- Maintain accurate SOPs, SSOPs, work instructions, and ensure team adherence to established procedures.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in food or CPG manufacturing, with deep knowledge of packaging systems.
- Strong understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
- Demonstrated ability to manage labor, overhead, and material cost performance against budget.
- Effective communicator with strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ERP/MRP systems.
- Skilled at coaching and developing supervisors and frontline team members.
- Ability to evaluate processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions.
- Engineering degree preferred; Green Belt certification is a plus.
Meet Your Recruiter
Alicia Alexander
Technical Recruiter & Team Mentor
Alicia Alexander is a Technical Recruiter and Team Mentor at Sterling Engineering with four years of recruiting experience and nearly three years with Sterling. She specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and technical recruiting, supporting roles across maintenance, reliability, operations, engineering, and industrial environments, including food and life sciences.
Alicia is passionate about helping people find careers where they feel genuinely happy, supported, and positioned for long-term growth. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with candidates, helping them take the next step in their careers, and supporting companies as they build strong, high-performing teams.
With a background in psychology and human resources from North Central College, Alicia brings a people-focused approach to recruiting. Her understanding of relationship building, communication, and candidate motivation helps her create successful matches between talent and opportunity.
Alicia is known for developing strong partnerships with both candidates and hiring managers, with a focus on creating long-term placements that benefit both the individual and the organization.