On the rise: Careers in packaging
Whatever your skills and interests, there’s probably a place for you in this dynamic industry.
Experts describe the $900 billion global packaging industry as innovative, stable and creative. According to Smithers' report The Future of Global Packaging to 2024, packaging demand will increase steadily at 2.8% yearly to reach a total global value of $1.05 trillion in 2024. This might not be an industry you’ve considered working in, but packaging jobs are available in abundance. The packaging industry needs people at every level, from the production line to management, and can use just about any skill you might have.
Here are the top reasons to consider jobs in the packaging industry.
It’s stable
The packaging industry remains relatively stable despite economic ups and downs because there’s always a need for packaging, says Maria Ferrante, vice president of education and workforce development at PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. According to Smithers, the global packaging industry is expected to grow in coming years, fueled by a growing consumer class in some markets.
Think of how much online ordering has grown over the years, especially recently during Covid-19. All those boxes and containers that show up at your house? Those are big business. Corrugated, flexible, and protective and transit packaging make e-commerce possible. Here's one example: Smithers reports that global corrugated board will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% across 2020–2025 to reach $205.7 billion.
Within that constant need, there may be fluctuations in specific types of packaging. For example, when consumers are busy, they look for on-the-go meals, which affects the packaging needed. With higher end goods, such as electronics, retailers are concerned about theft, so packaging focuses more on theft reduction than consumer convenience, Ferrante says. And recyclable materials and sustainability are also major considerations.
It needs a wide variety of employees
The package design and development side of the industry needs graphic designers, marketing professionals, food scientists, and packaging design engineers, Ferrante says. The production side needs packaging engineers who design and develop packaging machines, assembly and production technicians who build the machines, and service technicians who install, train and maintain the equipment at customer sites.
According to Arjun Dutt, SVP customer operations and product at Purchasing Platform Inc, below are a few other key packaging jobs:
It’s innovative and needs creative ideas
Packaging is the billboard for a product and its brand, Dan Donofrio, COO at Fisher Container Holdings.
This industry “affords near limitless creativity for marketers and package designers to apply branding and graphics to sell the product inside,” he adds. “As packaging materials continue to evolve, the industry will present new opportunities for professionals all along the packaging value chain.”
Ferrante says online purchasing is one of the many unique challenges facing the industry. Packaging for store shelves focuses on appeal, but packaging for delivery focuses on stability.
“As these demands change, so do the manufacturing demands of these packages,” she says. “Retailers want unique package configurations just for them, creating a need for more flexible manufacturing. This trend requires more sophisticated systems, highly automated using robots to move and sort cases and cartons appropriately.”
There’s opportunity
According to a 2018 PMMI compensation report, the industry saw a $1,994 income increase for U.S. packaging pros, and workers with three to five years of experience saw their incomes rise 7.6%, which equated to $5,758. Plus, many companies offer 401(k) plans as well, and management and executive positions may be eligible for bonuses.
No matter where you live in the country, there are likely to be opportunities. For instance, Monster data indicates a solid number of packaging jobs in the following areas:
“Anyone working within the packaging industry should expect constant evolution and growth,” Donofrio says. “As lifestyles change, materials evolve and the race for branding and marketing continues, the packaging industry adapts. It is a very dynamic, fast-paced marketplace.”
“It’s a robust field,” Dutt says. “For employees seeking to work in the industry, the possibilities are endless.”
Get hired sooner
Ready to explore packaging jobs but not sure where to start?Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads.