Essential Roles in the Evolving Packaging Industry: What Employers Need to Know

The packaging industry is undergoing rapid change, driven by automation, sustainability initiatives, and evolving consumer demands. Employers must adapt to these shifts by understanding key workforce roles, hiring challenges, and new skill requirements. Whether companies need machine operators, logistics professionals, or automation specialists, staying ahead of workforce trends is essential to remain competitive. 

Resource Employment Solutions, a leader in industrial hiring and workforce solutions, helps businesses across the United States recruit skilled workers for the packaging industry. This blog will outline the most essential packaging roles, discuss the changing workforce landscape, and provide solutions for attracting and retaining top talent. 

Automation Specialists: The Future of Packaging Production 

As automation reshapes manufacturing, automation specialists are crucial to optimizing production lines, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. 

• What They Do: These professionals programs maintain, and troubleshoot automated systems used in packaging and material handling. 

• Why It Matters: The packaging industry is seeing a 36% increase in demand for automation-related roles as businesses strive to enhance speed and precision in production. 

• Hiring Challenge: Finding skilled automation technicians can be difficult, as demand continues to outpace supply. 

Resource Employment Solutions connects employers with qualified automation specialists, ensuring businesses have the right talent to manage and improve automated processes. 

Machine Operators: Keeping Packaging Lines Running Smoothly 

Despite automation, machine operators remain essential for overseeing production equipment, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring quality control. 

• What They Do: Operate, adjust, and maintain packaging machinery such as fillers, labelers, sealers, and palletizers. 

• Industry Trend: As more advanced machinery is introduced, companies require workers with both mechanical and digital skills to operate smart manufacturing systems. 

• Workforce Solution: Employers must offer on-the-job training and competitive wages to attract and retain skilled machine operators. 

Resource Employment Solutions helps businesses find machine operators who can efficiently manage packaging production while maintaining workplace safety and efficiency. 

Sustainability-Focused Roles: Meeting Consumer and Regulatory Demands 

With an increasing focus on eco-friendly materials and waste reduction, sustainability-focused jobs are on the rise in the packaging industry. 

• Key Positions: Sustainability engineers, material scientists, and packaging designers specializing in biodegradable and recyclable materials. 

• Industry Growth: A report by Smithers predicts a 28% increase in sustainable packaging jobs over the next five years as businesses shift toward environmentally friendly solutions. 

• Hiring Strategy: Companies should prioritize workers with experience in green packaging design, regulatory compliance, and life cycle analysis. 

Resource Employment Solutions can help businesses identify and recruit sustainability experts, ensuring packaging companies meet modern environmental standards. 

Logistics and Supply Chain Professionals: Ensuring Timely Packaging and Delivery 

The packaging industry relies heavily on efficient logistics operations to ensure materials are sourced, packed, and delivered on time. 

• Critical Roles: Warehouse coordinators, inventory specialists, and supply chain analysts who oversee shipping, receiving, and material flow. 

• Workforce Challenge: With ongoing labor shortages in logistics, companies must streamline hiring to avoid production slowdowns. 

• Solution: Employers can benefit from flexible staffing solutions to address seasonal demand fluctuations. 

Resource Employment Solutions specializes in logistics recruitment, providing companies with qualified professionals to maintain smooth supply chain operations. 

Packaging Line Inspectors: Maintaining Quality and Compliance 

As packaging processes become more complex, quality control inspectors play a vital role in ensuring product consistency and regulatory compliance. 

• What They Do: Inspect packaging materials, finished products, and labeling to meet industry standards and safety regulations. 

• Why It’s Important: Consumer safety and regulatory compliance require strict quality assurance processes, making this role critical. 

• Recruitment Challenge: Employers need workers with strong attention to detail and an understanding of compliance laws. 

Resource Employment Solutions helps businesses find experienced packaging line inspectors, ensuring high-quality output and compliance with industry standards. 

Building a Strong Workforce in the Changing Packaging Industry 

As automation, sustainability, and logistics demands reshape the packaging industry, businesses must adapt their hiring strategies to stay competitive. Employers need skilled workers across key roles, from automation specialists and machine operators to logistics coordinators and sustainability experts. 

With offices in Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Florida (HQ), and Pennsylvania, Resource Employment Solutions provides staffing solutions that help businesses secure top talent. Contact us today to build a strong, adaptable workforce for the future of packaging. 

Written on behalf of RES.