Packaging Operations Director

Hunter Recruiting; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunter Recruiting seeks an experienced Packaging Operations Director to lead enterprise-level packaging functions across Fill, FTO and Blend, ensuring safety, quality, cost, service, and people outcomes. You will partner with Plant Leadership, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to drive sustainable performance and growth.

The role requires building leadership capabilities, coaching Packaging Managers, and delivering standardized work, with a focus on continuous improvement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressive manufacturing leadership in a 24/7 facility
• Proven experience leading multi-shift, multi-line packaging or production teams

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end leadership for all packaging operations, including staffing, throughput, equipment performance, and material flow
• Translate business strategies into packaging execution plans aligned with safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives
• Establish short- and long-term operational strategies, including capacity planning and capital needs
• Partner with Plant Leadership to develop budgets, forecast costs, and manage packaging-related P&L
• Ensure integration between Packaging, Blending/Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain
• Lead and develop Packaging Managers and key leaders, building a strong leadership pipeline
• Foster accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement across packaging teams
• Champion training excellence and standardized work practices
• Own safety performance and regulatory compliance for packaging operations
• Investigate and resolve deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints with Quality
• Promote quality-first mindset through metrics, audits, and continuous improvement
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives
• Utilize data and KPIs to drive performance
• Champion standardization and automation opportunities
• Support new product introductions and packaging innovations

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

People leadership

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering/Operations

8+ years manufacturing leadership in 24/7 facility

Job description

The Packaging Operations Director provides enterprise-level leadership for all packaging operations, including Fill, FTO and Blend, driving safety, quality, cost, service, and people outcomes. This role is accountable for aligning packaging strategy with broader manufacturing and business objectives while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across all packaging functions and shifts.

The Director serves as a key manufacturing leader, partnering with Plant Leadership, Blending/Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver sustainable performance and support future growth.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end leadership for all packaging operations, including staffing, throughput, equipment performance, and material flow
• Translate business and production strategies into effective packaging execution plans aligned with safety, quality, delivery, and cost objective
• Establish short- and long-term operational strategies, including capacity planning, labor models, and capital need
• Partner with Plant Leadership to develop budgets, forecast costs, and manage packaging-related P&L impact
• Ensure seamless integration and coordination between Blending/Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain
• Lead, coach, and develop Packaging Managers and key functional leaders, building a strong leadership pipeline
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement across all packaging teams
• Establish clear performance expectations, conduct talent reviews, and lead succession planning efforts
• Champion training excellence, skill development, and standardized work practices
• Own safety performance for all packaging operations, ensuring proactive risk management and regulatory compliance
• Ensure packaging processes meet internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements
• Partner with Quality to investigate, resolve, and prevent deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints
• Promote a quality-first mindset through robust metrics, audits, and continuous improvement
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Utilize data, KPIs, and problem-solving methodologies to drive performance
• Champion standardization, best practices, and automation opportunities
• Support new product introductions, line expansions, and packaging innovations

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be accepted
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a facility with 24/7 operations
• Proven experience leading multi-shift, multi-line packaging or production teams