The Packer/Catcher Lead contributes to the success of Eagle Flexible Packaging (“Eagle”) by serving as a hands-on working lead and subject matter expert for Packer/Catcher operations. This position performs regular Packer/Catcher duties while coordinating daily work activities, supporting staffing and workflow decisions, training new and existing employees, and helping ensure that finished products meet applicable safety, food safety, quality, productivity, and customer requirements.
The Packer/Catcher Lead works collaboratively with Machine Operators, Supervisors, Quality Assurance, and other production personnel to maintain efficient workflow, appropriate coverage, effective shift transitions, and consistent adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”), Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMPs”), Safe Quality Food (“SQF”) requirements, and company policies. This position leads by example and provides day-to-day guidance and hands-on support.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform all essential duties of the Packer/Catcher position while serving as a hands-on working lead for the team.
- Coordinate daily packer/catcher assignments, rotations, and staffing coverage to support production needs, employee development, and operational efficiency.
- Assist with coverage planning for breaks, lunches, absences, and shift transitions to ensure continuous production support.
- Lead by example in creating a collaborative, inclusive, and positive work environment that promotes employee engagement, accountability, and retention.
- Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and ongoing development for new and existing packer/catcher employees.
- Partner with department leadership to create, implement, and maintain training programs, training documentation, SOPs, and work instructions for packer/catcher operations.
- Partner with department leadership to develop and maintain work instructions defining daily production priorities and workflow expectations for packer/catcher employees.
- Track employee training progress and provide feedback, coaching, and retraining as needed.
- Communicate production, staffing, quality, safety, and training concerns to Supervisors and Managers in a timely manner.
- Coordinate effective shift handoffs by communicating job priorities, production status, quality concerns, and staffing needs.
- Assist in establishing and maintaining organized sorting and rework processes in partnership with Quality Assurance and production leadership.
- Help develop and maintain standards for sorting, inspection, rework, and product disposition activities.
- Ensure packaging activities are performed in accordance with SOPs, GMPs, SQF requirements, food safety standards, quality requirements, and company policies.
- Catch and inspect finished products for defects, order accuracy, color, print quality, cutting quality, seals, and other customer specifications.
- Verify accurate counts, packaging, labeling, and documentation of finished goods.
- Support Machine Operators during setups, changeovers, cleaning activities, and production line operation.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and support adherence to established sanitation and equipment cleaning schedules.
- Identify and communicate opportunities to improve productivity, quality, training effectiveness, waste reduction, and overall operational performance.
- Participate in problem-solving, corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and special projects as assigned.
- Ensure that all company food safety and quality assurance procedures are followed. Escalate any issues/concerns to management.
- Other related duties as assigned
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- Minimum 2 years of related manufacturing, packaging, converting, or production experience.
- Ability to perform hands-on production work while providing day-to-day leadership, training, and work coordination.
- Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to train, coach, motivate, and support employees.
- Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and other departments.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to quality.
- Ability to identify product defects and ensure compliance with specifications and quality requirements.
- Demonstrated problem-solving ability and sound judgment in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to manage changing priorities while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
- Strong work ethic, dependability, accountability, and record of reliable attendance.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to follow and reinforce SOPs, GMPs, safety standards, SQF requirements, and company policies.
- Physical requirements: ability to stand for multiple hours, lift to 75 pounds, stoop, kneel, climb, and hold and manipulate objects with hands.
- Enthusiasm for the Eagle Flexible Packaging mission of embracing our Guiding Values that focus on developing and empowering our team members to create valued, trusted, and lasting relationships with both customers and suppliers.
Preferred Qualification:
- Experience in the flexible packaging, converting, printing, or food packaging industry.
- Previous experience serving as a trainer, lead, team lead, mentor, or other informal leadership role.
- Experience onboarding and training new employees.
- Experience developing or improving SOPs, work instructions, training documentation, or standardized work processes.
- Experience coordinating employee assignments, break coverage, and shift transitions.
- Experience supporting quality inspection, sorting, rework, and continuous improvement activities.
- Working knowledge of GMP, SQF, food safety, or quality systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
Pay: $19.00 to $23.00 per hour
Flex Your Potential with Eagle! We are committed to supporting our employees’ career growth and aspirations and provide full-time team members with the following benefits:
- Medical Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can choose from 1 PPO/HRA plan, 2 PPO/HSA plans, and 1 HMO/HRA plan, all provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
- HRA / HSA Contributions– Participants in the employer-provided medical insurance program will receive funds from Eagle for either their HRA (for PPO/HRA and HMO/HRA enrollees) or HSA (for all PPO/HSA enrollees). The annual amount provided to each participant is based on one’s enrollment tier per the following schedule: $1,500.00 for Employee Only coverage, $3,000.00 for Employee + Spouse or Employee + Child(ren), and $4,500.00 for Family coverage.
- Dental Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can enroll in dental insurance provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
- Vision Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can enroll in this voluntary benefit through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
- 401K Plan – Plan entry date is the first of the month following 6 months of service. Eagle provides its employees with a 100% match up to 1% and 50% match up to 6%.
- Company Paid Short Term Disability– The Short-Term Disability premium is 100% paid by Eagle.
- Company Paid Long Term Disability– The Long-Term Disability premium is 100% paid by Eagle.
- Life Insurance– The Basic Life premium is 100% paid by Eagle and is a flat $20,000 benefit for all FT, benefit eligible employees. Employees have the option to purchase additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse, and dependent children.
- Vacation/PTO – The amount of vacation/paid time off (PTO) employees receive each year starts at 80 hours (2 weeks) each year, which accrues at a rate of 1.538 hours per week, and increases with the length of employment.
- 8 Company Paid Holidays– Eligible after 60 days of employment.
- Sick Leave– Eligible for paid sick days at the rate of 3 days (24 hours) per year after 6 months of service (prorated for per the calendar year).
- Tuition Reimbursement– Following 6 months of employment, employees are eligible for reimbursement for courses, certifications, and training programs that support their Eagle careers.
Part-time team members are provided with the following benefits:
- Vacation/PTO – Eligible to earn 1 hour of vacation/PTO for every 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours of vacation/PTO.
- 401K Plan– Plan entry date is the first of the month following 6 months of service. Eagle provides its employees with a 100% match up to 1% and 50% match up to 6%.
Eagle Flexible Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.
