Assistant Manager - Packaging

Job Title: Assistant Manager Packaging

Department: Manufacturing / Packaging Operations
Location: Plant Location
Reports To: Packaging Manager / Plant Head

Job Purpose

To oversee and optimize packaging operations for Packaged Drinking Water (PDW), Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD), and other beverage products by ensuring productivity, quality, safety, compliance, and cost efficiency. The role is responsible for managing packaging lines, reducing downtime, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and ensuring packaging materials meet quality and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging Operations Management

• Manage day-to-day packaging operations across PET, Glass, Can, and Jar packaging lines.
• Ensure smooth functioning of filling, capping, labeling, shrink wrapping, palletizing, and secondary packaging processes.
• Monitor production schedules and ensure achievement of daily, weekly, and monthly packaging targets.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Production Planning & Execution

• Execute packaging plans as per production requirements.
• Optimize manpower utilization and machine productivity.
• Monitor line performance and take corrective actions to minimize losses and bottlenecks.
• Ensure adherence to production KPIs such as OEE, line efficiency, throughput, and wastage control.

Quality & Food Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, and Food Safety standards.
• Monitor packaging quality parameters including fill volume, cap torque, label accuracy, batch coding, and package integrity.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance teams for audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
• Ensure all packaging materials comply with BIS, FSSAI, and company standards.

Packaging Material Management

• Monitor consumption and inventory of packaging materials including:
• PET Preforms
• Caps & Closures
• Labels
• Corrugated Boxes
• Shrink Films
• Stretch Wraps
• Glass Bottles & Cans
• Minimize packaging material wastage and improve material yield.
• Support sourcing and qualification of new packaging materials.

Equipment & Maintenance Coordination

• Ensure optimum performance of packaging equipment including:
• Blow Molding Machines
• Filling Machines
• Capping Machines
• Labeling Machines
• Shrink Wrapping Machines
• Conveyors
• Palletizers
• Coordinate preventive and breakdown maintenance activities.
• Analyze downtime data and implement corrective actions.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Kaizen, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for productivity enhancement and cost optimization.
• Implement packaging innovations to improve efficiency and sustainability.
• Monitor packaging cost per case and recommend improvement initiatives.

Team Management

• Lead and supervise packaging operators, technicians, and shift in-charges.
• Conduct training programs on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Drive employee engagement and performance management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and labor regulations.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure a safe workplace and adherence to EHS standards.
• Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and toolbox talks.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and environmental regulations.
• Investigate incidents and implement preventive actions.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Packaging Line Efficiency (%)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Production Target Achievement (%)
• Packaging Material Wastage (%)
• Downtime Reduction
• Customer Complaints Related to Packaging
• Cost per Unit Packed
• Food Safety & Audit Compliance Score
• Safety Compliance & Near-Miss Reduction

Qualifications

Education:

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Production, Industrial Engineering, Packaging Technology, or related discipline.
• Diploma in Packaging Technology preferred.

Experience:

• 6–10 years of experience in packaging operations within Beverage, FMCG, Bottled Water, Soft Drinks, Dairy, or Food Manufacturing industries.
• Experience handling high-speed PET/CSD packaging lines is preferred.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Beverage Packaging Operations
• PET Bottle Manufacturing & Blow Molding
• CSD Filling & Packaging Processes
• Packaging Line Automation
• OEE & Manufacturing KPIs
• SAP / ERP Systems
• TPM & Lean Manufacturing
• Maintenance Coordination
• Packaging Material Management

Behavioral Competencies

• Leadership & People Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Analytical Thinking
• Effective Communication
• Process Improvement Orientation
• Result-Oriented Approach
• Cross-Functional Collaboration