Packaging Operator

Job Titles

  • Packaging Operator
  • Packaging Technician

Education Background

  • High School Diploma
  • College diploma
  • B.Sc.
  • B.Eng.

Job Functions

  • Clean equipment, dissemble equipment, set-up equipment.
  • Programming batch information, setup and configuration of equipment
  • Follow written procedures such as company Standard Operating Procedrures (SOPs) and Bulk Operate packaging equipment
  • Operation packaging equipment. Program batch information, setup and configure equipment
  • Run packaging lines to package finished products
  • Monitor product quality and ensure it meets the specification limits
  • Maintenance of the equipment and the packaging line
  • Identify any deviations from the written procedures, defects, losses and incidents and notify the supervisor.
  • May be required to transfer materials, objects and packaged products from one area to another

Must Have Skills

  • Detail oriented and ability to follow written procedures without any deviation are absolute must
  • Able to stand for a long period of time and lift/ move materials, objects and packaged products from one area to another.
  • Must be okay to work in an environment that requires GMP gowning and do shift work
  • Work well under pressure and in a ‘fast paced and minimal tolerance for mistakes’ environment
  • Able to do the same task over and over again
  • Honest and transparent
  • Able to take responsibility for your own action
  • Work well individually and as part of a team
  • Professional, fast learner and takes initiative
  • Able to work in a highly regulated environment and follow company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), regulatory guidelines and safety standards.

Type of companies that hire

  • Pharmaceutical/ Biopharmaceutical
  • Contract Labs (with manufacturing capability)
  • Cannabis Industry
  • Food Industry
  • Cosmetic companies
  • other

Competitive Advantage

  1. knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), FDA, Health Canada
  2. any transferable skills that speak for your ability to follow written procedures and directions without any deviations

Career Growth

Technician –> Operator –> Senior –> Supervisor (B.Sc./ B.Eng.) –> Director/ VP

Other options:

–> Manufacturing Operator (at least college diploma to be competitive)

The following will require at least college diploma but university degree to be competitive.

–> Document reviewer/ QA Associate with QA department (Quality Assurance Courses taken)

–> QC chemist/ analyst (courses on HPLC taken and knowledge of QC testing)

–> if you have certification on project management and preferably PM certified, consider becoming a Project Manager

–> with business certification, you could even transfer to business side of the pharma

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