Packaging Supervisor

About the role

The Newspaper Packaging Supervisor oversees and coordinates newspaper packaging operations to ensure newspapers, inserts, commercial products, and other printed materials are processed, packaged, and prepared for distribution safely, accurately, efficiently, and on schedule. This hands-on leadership position operates in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.

Responsibilities

• Production Operations
  • Supervise daily and nightly newspaper packaging and inserting operations to meet production requirements and deadlines.
  • Direct and coordinate employees operating newspaper inserting, stacking, strapping, conveying, palletizing, and related packaging equipment.
  • Coordinate processing of newspapers, inserts, commercial products, and other materials according to production specifications.
  • Monitor production schedules and adjust employees, equipment, and workflow to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
  • Verify product quality, quantities, zoning, insert placement, labeling, packaging, and other job-specific requirements.
  • Ensure proper setup, operation, and shutdown of packaging equipment.
  • Support press production and ensure efficient transition of printed products from the press into Packaging.
  • Coordinate with the Pressroom to address production changes, press delays, product flow, and other issues affecting Packaging operations.
  • Ensure completed products are prepared and released for distribution according to deadlines.
  • Communicate production delays, equipment issues, staffing concerns, quality problems, and operational issues to management and departments.
• Equipment and Maintenance
  • Monitor inserting, conveying, stacking, strapping, press palletizing, and other packaging equipment for reliable operation.
  • Assist with troubleshooting equipment problems and minor repairs.
  • Coordinate with Maintenance for mechanical, electrical, or technical support.
  • Monitor equipment downtime and minimize production interruptions.
  • Identify recurring equipment issues and communicate concerns to Maintenance and management.
  • Support preventive maintenance activities to ensure safe and reliable equipment operation.
  • Work with employees and Maintenance to improve equipment performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Staffing and Labor Management
  • Assign employees to production lines and work areas based on workload, skills, staffing levels, and production priorities.
  • Monitor staffing levels throughout each shift and adjust as needed to maintain productivity and control labor costs.
  • Manage overtime assignments based on operational requirements and approved labor targets.
  • Monitor temporary or contract labor usage and adjust staffing according to production requirements.
  • Balance staffing requirements with production demands to ensure adequate coverage without unnecessary labor expense.
  • Communicate schedules, changes, overtime requirements, and production expectations clearly and timely.
• Nightly Production Reports and Documentation
  • Complete accurate and timely nightly production reports at the conclusion of each shift.
  • Document production results, run times, staffing levels, labor hours, equipment downtime, delays, waste, quality issues, safety concerns, and other significant events.
  • Document equipment problems or maintenance concerns requiring follow-up.
  • Identify missed production targets, unusual circumstances, or operational concerns and provide explanations.
  • Ensure nightly reports provide management with an accurate overview of shift performance.
  • Distribute nightly reports to appropriate management and departments within established timelines.
  • Communicate outstanding issues requiring follow-up by the incoming shift, Maintenance, Planning, Pressroom, Distribution, Transportation, or management.
  • Maintain accurate production records, staffing information, equipment information, and other required departmental documentation.
• Safety Responsibilities
  • Maintain a strong commitment to employee safety and safe equipment operation.
  • Ensure employees comply with established safety policies and procedures.
  • Ensure proper use of required personal protective equipment.
  • Reinforce lockout/tagout and other equipment safety procedures.
  • Identify and promptly address unsafe conditions, equipment, or work practices.
  • Participate in safety meetings, training, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and reinforce good housekeeping practices.
  • Communicate safety concerns promptly to appropriate management.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Work closely with the Pressroom, Planning, Maintenance, Distribution, Transportation, Receiving, and other departments to coordinate production activities.
  • Maintain effective communication regarding schedules, delays, product requirements, staffing concerns, and equipment issues.
  • Coordinate with internal and external partners to support production and distribution requirements.
  • Participate in production meetings and operational discussions.
  • Support special projects, new equipment installations, process changes, and other organizational initiatives.
  • Assist with implementing new processes and equipment and help employees adapt to operational changes.
• Leadership Expectations
  • Demonstrate strong leadership, accountability, professionalism, and sound judgment.
  • Make timely decisions in a fast-paced production environment while balancing safety, quality, staffing, equipment, labor costs, and production deadlines.
  • Lead by example and take ownership of operational issues through resolution.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally.
  • Hold employees accountable while treating them fairly and respectfully.
  • Remain calm and solutions-oriented during production challenges.
  • Adapt quickly to changing priorities.
  • Develop and support employees.
  • Build effective working relationships across departments.
  • Promote teamwork and shared accountability.
  • Support organizational changes and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Previous experience in newspaper packaging, printing, manufacturing, distribution, warehouse operations, or a similar production environment preferred.
• Previous supervisory, lead, or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with newspaper inserting, conveying, stacking, strapping, and palletizing equipment preferred.
• Experience with press palletizing systems or related automated production equipment preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic equipment troubleshooting abilities.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and understand production schedules, job instructions, reports, and production specifications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to make sound and timely decisions when production conditions change.
• Ability to supervise employees with varying levels of experience and technical knowledge.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use email, production systems, scheduling tools, timekeeping systems, spreadsheets, and reporting applications.
• Ability to prepare accurate written production and shift reports.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, management, vendors, contractors, and other departments.

Schedule

Newspaper production operates around strict publication and distribution deadlines. The position requires flexibility based on production and business needs, including:

• Working primarily evening and overnight shifts.
• Working weekends on a regular basis.
• Working holidays as required by the newspaper production schedule.
• Working overtime when necessary.
• Working extended shifts or additional days when required.
• Adjusting scheduled hours based on production volumes, staffing shortages, equipment problems, special publications, weather events, or other operational requirements.
• Responding to unexpected production issues that may require additional supervisory coverage.
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a production, manufacturing, and warehouse environment and may require:

• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent movement throughout production and warehouse areas.
• Bending, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• Working around moving machinery, conveyors, forklifts, and other industrial equipment.
• Exposure to production noise, paper dust, vehicle traffic, and varying temperatures.
• Lifting or moving materials within established company safety guidelines.
• Wearing required personal protective equipment while in designated production areas.

Benefits

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for care of loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Assistance for every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: Support for keeping pets happy and healthy.