**Shipping Department Packer Job Profile
**
This profile outlines the typical duties, responsibilities, and necessary qualifications for a Shipping Department Packer at MPI Label Systems. This key role represents the final quality checkpoint and physical packaging touchpoint before finished custom labels and converted products leave the facility for delivery to the customer.
Position Overview
The Shipping Department Packer is responsible for safely, accurately, and efficiently preparing finished label rolls, sheeted products, and specialized packaging for transit. Operating at the tail end of the production workflow, this role verifies job specifications, inspects finished goods for outer packaging defects, applies correct shipping labels and core tags, and prepares parcels and pallets according to strict customer and freight carrier requirements.
Functional Responsibilities and Tasks
The core functions involve order verification, protective packaging, system transaction logging, and material handling:
I. Order Verification and Final Packaging
- Order Matching: Review job tickets, packing slips, and shipping orders to ensure roll quantities, core sizes, roll diameters, and winding directions precisely match customer specifications.
- Protective Packaging: Wrap label rolls using designated protective materials (poly bags, shrink wrap, edge protectors) to prevent moisture, dust, or physical damage during transit.
- Box Assembly & Packing: Select appropriate corrugated box sizes, assemble cartons, and securely pack wrapped label rolls or sheeted product, using proper cushioning and void-fill materials to prevent movement during transport.
- Specialized Palletization: Securely stack boxes on pallets following specific stacking patterns (column or interlocking) to maximize stability. Band, strap, and stretch-wrap pallets according to freight transport standards.
II. Labeling, Scanning, and ERP Data Entry
- Core & Carton Labeling: Apply internal core tags, outer box shipping labels, customer-specific compliance labels, and barcoded tracking labels accurately to each box or master container.
- ERP System Scanning: Use handheld barcode scanners to log completed packed items into the ERP/WMS system, updating inventory status and generating accurate packing slips and Bills of Lading (BOL).
- Freight Carrier Staging: Verify shipping methods (e.g., FedEx, UPS, local truck line, LTL freight) and stage packed boxes or wrapped pallets in designated shipping bays for carrier pickup.
III. Quality Inspection, Safety, and Housekeeping
- Final Visual Check: Perform a final visual check on outer roll appearance, box integrity, and label cleanliness before sealing packages, reporting any noticed print or converting defects to the Quality or Shipping Manager immediately.
- Material Handling Equipment: Safely operate manual and powered pallet jacks, tape machines, strapping tools, and shrink-wrap machines.
- Safety & Workplace Cleanliness: Strictly adhere to facility safety guidelines, including proper lifting techniques (up to 50 lbs unassisted), personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and maintaining a clean, hazard-free shipping area.
Required Qualifications and Attributes
- Experience: 1+ years of experience in a shipping, packing, receiving, or warehouse environment, preferably within a manufacturing or printing facility.
- Detail Orientation: High level of accuracy and visual attention to detail to ensure shipping labels, core quantities, and addresses match job tickets without error.
- Technical Skills: Basic computer literacy and familiarity with barcode scanners, digital scales, and shipping software/ERP interfaces (e.g., FedEx Ship Manager, UPS WorldShip, internal WMS).
- Physical Demands: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, perform repetitive bending and reaching, and repeatedly lift heavy boxes and materials up to 50 lbs.
- Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.