A packaging operator may work in warehouses, factories, or shipping facilities, among other places. This employee is in charge of operating and, on occasion, maintaining packaging equipment, sorting and labeling various packages, dealing with system jams or backups, and a variety of other tasks related to item packaging and shipping. The packaging operator will be taught how to properly package goods, secure them for shipping, and label them using scanners, labelers, sorting machines like conveyors, and other tools. He or she will also assist in the loading of pallets or transport trucks.
A high school diploma or similar qualification is usually required to work as a packaging operator. Basic math skills are required, and effective communication skills are a big plus. After being hired, the packaging operator will usually go through a period of on-the-job training, during which he or she will be taught how to use various types of machinery, computer software, and sorting processes more experienced workers. This training could also be completed through an apprenticeship program; in either case, the operator will be compensated for his or her time while learning.
The packaging operator will most likely be on his or her feet for the majority of the day, operating packaging machinery and inspecting packages before they are shipped. Sorting machines are frequently used to assist in the packaging process, and the operator must be familiar with their safe operation to ensure efficient sorting and packaging. The operator may also determine what type of packaging is best for certain items, build that packaging, and insert items into it in a way that protects the items from damage.
The packaging operator may also be responsible for shipping manifests and other documents related to the packaging and transportation of items. All packaged and shipped items must be tracked, and information about the shipping destination must be recorded, usually in computer systems. Some packaging operator jobs are solely dedicated to managing such data and keeping meticulous records. This process can be carried out visually keeping track of each package’s identification or routing number, or it can be carried out using laser scanners that read data from a barcode printed on a label that is then affixed to the packaging material.