Packaging Manager

Optential Consulting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Optential Consulting is seeking a Packaging Manager to oversee all packaging activities at our canning facility in Cape Town. You will lead day and night shifts, ensuring productivity targets and quality standards are met while driving continuous improvement in our packaging operations.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in packaging management, leadership experience, and technical expertise in equipment operations. You will champion safety and compliance while managing costs effectively.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in packaging operations management within a food production environment.
• Strong leadership abilities to manage and develop cross-functional teams.
• Technical expertise in packaging equipment and processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage all packaging activities across shifts to meet production targets.
• Lead and develop teams for high performance in packaging operations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Skills

Packaging operations management

Team leadership

Technical troubleshooting

Quality assurance

Cost management

Job description

Position Title: Packaging Manager

Department: Production

Reports To: Factory Manager

Direct Reports: Shift Leaders (Day & Night Shift), Packaging Operators, Packaging Technicians, Temporary Packaging Staff

Position Purpose

The Packaging Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of all packaging activities within the canning facility. This role leads two production shifts and ensures that all packaging lines consistently achieve production, quality, safety, and cost targets. The Packaging Manager serves as the technical packaging expert within the business, driving continuous improvement, equipment reliability, waste reduction, and operational excellence across the packaging department.

Key Performance Areas

Packaging Operations Management

• Manage all packaging activities across day and night shifts.
• Execute production plans and achieve production targets.
• Monitor line efficiency, throughput and downtime.
• Ensure effective shift handovers and communication.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead, train and develop packaging teams across both shifts.
• Manage performance, staffing and accountability.
• Build a high-performance culture.

Packaging Equipment & Technical Leadership

• Act as technical owner of packaging equipment.
• Perform first-line troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Support preventative maintenance and reliability initiatives.
• Work closely with maintenance teams to minimise downtime.

Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP and customer requirements.
• Investigate packaging quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain traceability and audit readiness.

Cost & Waste Management

• Reduce packaging waste and improve material yields.
• Control labour and consumable costs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture.
• Conduct safety inspections and investigations.
• Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve OEE and line efficiency.
• Lead packaging optimisation projects.
• Implement best practices across both shifts