Senior Manager – Packaging Operations (Beverage Manufacturing)

Tokyo, Japan (On-site)

Experience: 10–12 years

• Packaging Function:
  6–8 years hands-on experience in beverage packaging
• People & Operations Management:
  Minimum 2–4 years managing packaging teams, lines, or units

Role Overview

The Senior Manager – Packaging Operations will be responsible for
end-to-end ownership of the packaging function
within the beverage manufacturing unit. This role oversees
packaging line operations, materials, quality, compliance, cost optimization, and continuous improvement
, while ensuring alignment with
Japanese regulatory standards, safety norms, and global manufacturing best practices
.

The position plays a
critical role in production efficiency, product integrity, cost control, sustainability initiatives, and cross-functional coordination
with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Procurement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Packaging Operations & Line Management

2. Lead day-to-day operations of
   primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging lines
   (bottles, cans, PET, cartons, crates, shrink wraps, pallets).

3. Ensure
   optimal line efficiency, uptime, and throughput
   while minimizing wastage and downtime.
4. Monitor and improve
   OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
   across packaging lines.
5. Oversee
   line changeovers, format changes, and SKU transitions
   with minimal loss of productivity.

6. Coordinate closely with Production Planning to ensure packaging schedules align with manufacturing output.

7. Packaging Material & Technology Management

8. Manage selection, testing, and usage of
   packaging materials
   (glass bottles, cans, PET, labels, caps, closures, cartons, inks, adhesives).

9. Collaborate with R&D and Marketing on
   new packaging development, redesigns, and innovations
   .
10. Ensure packaging integrity for
    product safety, shelf life, and brand presentation
    .

11. Drive adoption of
    automation, smart packaging technologies, and equipment upgrades
    where applicable.

12. Quality, Compliance & Regulatory Adherence

13. Ensure compliance with
    Japanese food & beverage regulations
    , packaging safety standards, and labeling laws.

14. Maintain adherence to
    HACCP, ISO, GMP, FSSC 22000
    , and internal quality benchmarks.
15. Implement robust
    in-process and final packaging quality checks
    .

16. Lead investigations into
    packaging-related quality issues, recalls, or customer complaints
    , and drive corrective/preventive actions.

17. Cost Control & Operational Excellence

18. Own
    packaging cost structures
    , including materials, manpower, utilities, and consumables.

19. Drive
    cost-reduction initiatives
    through material optimization, waste reduction, and process improvements.
20. Monitor and control
    scrap, rework, breakage, and yield losses
    .

21. Support annual budgeting and forecasting for the packaging function.

22. People Leadership & Team Development

23. Lead, mentor, and develop
    packaging supervisors, engineers, technicians, and operators
    .

24. Maintenance & Engineering Collaboration

25. Work closely with Engineering and Maintenance teams to ensure
    preventive and breakdown maintenance
    of packaging equipment.

26. Support installation, commissioning, and qualification of
    new packaging lines or machinery
    .
27. Identify recurring mechanical issues and drive
    root cause analysis and permanent fixes
    .

Key Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of
  beverage packaging processes and machinery
• Experience with
  high-speed bottling / canning / PET lines
• Understanding of
  packaging materials, specifications, and supplier management
• Familiarity with
  lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM

Education

• Bachelor's degree in
  Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Packaging Technology, Food Technology
  , or related discipline
• Postgraduate qualification is an advantage but not mandatory

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of
  beverage packaging processes and machinery
• Experience with
  high-speed bottling / canning / PET lines
• Understanding of
  packaging materials, specifications, and supplier management
• Familiarity with
  lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM

Language Requirements

• Japanese:
  Business-level proficiency (mandatory)
• English:
  Working proficiency for documentation and cross-border collaboration