Packing Manager - Food Manufacturing

German Butchery Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

German Butchery Pty Ltd is seeking a hands-on Packing Manager to oversee the daily packing operations across multiple production lines at our Camellia facility. You will lead team leaders and staff to meet production targets, maintain food safety and traceability, and drive continuous improvements.

You will proactively manage workflow, coordinate staffing, and ensure lines are correctly set up with the right products and materials, while fostering a positive, compliant and efficient work

Qualifications

• Experience leading a packing team in food manufacturing.
• Experience managing multiple thermoforming packing lines.
• Strong understanding of HACCP, GMP, food safety and traceability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily packing operations across multiple lines and ensure targets are met.
• Lead and coach packing team leaders and staff, manage rostering and staffing Allocations.
• Ensure equipment, packaging materials, labels and product specs are correct on lines.
• Monitor line performance, throughput, downtime and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate product changeovers and minimize production interruptions.
• Maintain strict hygiene, safety and product traceability throughout packing.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Production planning

Food safety

Tools

Production management systems

Job description

Full-time | Day Shift | Monday to Friday | 6:30 am Start

Lead. Develop. Improve. Make an Impact.

About German Butchery

German Butchery is an established, award-winning smallgoods and meat manufacturing business, recognised for producing high-quality European-style sausages, hams, cured meats and specialty smallgoods.

Operating from our modern production facility in Camellia, we supply major customers across Australia's foodservice, hospitality, retail and wholesale industries. We have built a strong reputation for product quality, consistency, reliability and customer service.

As our business continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and hands-on Packing Manager to take ownership of our day-shift packing operations.

This is an opportunity for a capable people leader who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, understands the importance of food safety and traceability, and knows how to keep multiple packing lines operating efficiently.

About the Role

As Packing Manager, you will oversee the daily operation of our packing department, leading team leaders and packing staff to ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and consistently.

Your primary focus will be ensuring that packing lines are correctly set up, adequately staffed and continuously supplied with the right products and materials to achieve the required output.

You will be expected to take a proactive, hands-on approach to managing workflow, identifying potential bottlenecks before they disrupt production and ensuring that product quality, food safety and traceability requirements are maintained throughout the packing process.

Your Key Responsibilities

Packing Operations & Performance

• Oversee daily packing activities across multiple production lines, ensuring efficient workflow and achievement of production targets.
• Ensure team leaders correctly set up packing lines, including equipment, packaging materials, labels and product specifications.
• Monitor line performance, packing speeds, output and downtime, taking corrective action where required.
• Coordinate product changeovers and minimise unnecessary production interruptions.
• Ensure the correct products are delivered to each packing line on time, in the appropriate condition and in accordance with the production schedule.
• Work closely with production and planning teams to anticipate product availability and prevent packing lines from running out of work.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and maximise productivity.
• Lead, coach and develop packing team leaders and employees, establishing clear responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Plan daily staffing allocations and coordinate rostering requirements based on production volumes and operational priorities.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and competent in the tasks and equipment assigned to them.
• Monitor employee performance, provide constructive feedback and address training or performance gaps.
• Ensure clear communication between supervisors, team leaders, production staff and other departments.
• Promote a positive, accountable and respectful working environment.

Food Safety, Quality & Traceability

• Ensure packing activities comply with HACCP, food safety standards, GMP and company procedures.
• Maintain strict control over product identification, packaging specifications, labelling accuracy and product temperature requirements.
• Ensure all production records, temperature checks, batch information and traceability documentation are accurate, complete and recorded in real time.
• Verify that required checks and documentation are completed correctly by team leaders and packing staff.
• Identify, escalation and address food safety concerns, product discrepancies and non-conformances immediately.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, housekeeping and workplace safety throughout the department.
• Monitor daily packing output against production targets and report operational performance.
• Ensure accurate data entry and reporting through the company's production management systems.
• Investigate production delays, inefficiencies and recurring operational issues.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Quality Assurance, Maintenance and Planning to resolve problems and improve processes.
• Support ongoing improvements in equipment utilisation, staff productivity and packing procedures.

About You

Ideally, you will bring:

• Proven experience in a Packing Manager, Production Supervisor, Shift Manager or similar leadership role within food manufacturing.
• Experience managing multiple thermoformer packing or production lines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of HACCP, GMP, food safety, product handling and traceability requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve production targets while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Experience with staff rostering, training, performance management and workforce allocation.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to anticipate and resolve operational challenges.
• Confidence using production reporting systems, spreadsheets and digital records.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to lead a diverse workforce.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and willingness to remain actively involved on the factory floor.
• Experience in meat processing, smallgoods manufacturing, chilled food production or high-volume food packing would be highly regarded.

What We Offer

• Permanent full-time employment directly with German Butchery.
• Consistent day-shift hours, Monday to Friday, commencing at 6:30 am.
• A key leadership position within an established and growing Australian food manufacturer.
• The opportunity to take ownership of a busy packing department and make a measurable impact on its performance.
• A supportive management team and opportunities to contribute to operational improvements.
• Competitive remuneration based on experience and capability.