Packaging Area Manager

Mark Anthony Group is an entrepreneurial drinks company, built from the ground up by thinking differently, innovating and doing the unexpected. Our company is rooted in family values, a bold vision and relentless determination to continuously raise the bar and make a positive difference in consumers' lives. Founded in 1972, weve grown organically from a one-person import wine business into an international drinks company whose hallmarks include a portfolio of luxury wineries and iconic beverage brands, including White Claw Hard Seltzer, Mikes Hard Lemonade, and Cayman Jack .

Role Purpose:

The Packaging Area Manager is responsible for the leadership, performance, innovation, and continuous improvement of a defined area in the Packaging Operations Department, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations while achieving quality, productivity, cost, and service objectives. This role provides both front-line and strategic leadership, with a strong emphasis on developing supervisors, leads, and frontline team members through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and capability building. Responsible for daily operational execution, KPI management, inventory control, troubleshooting, and enforcing safety and quality standards, the Packaging Area Manager drives innovation and operational excellence within their area of responsibility.

Accountabilities & Impact:

- Assist in developing and implementing the strategic plan for the Packaging team.

- Drive innovation within the assigned packaging area by identifying, evaluating, and implementing new technologies, processes, equipment improvements, and best practices that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.

- Develop, implement, and sustain lean manufacturing processes and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Communicate Packaging department priorities and align team objectives with business goals.

- Ensure Safety and Quality are at the forefront of all activities for all Packaging team members.

- Lead the development of supervisors, leads, and frontline team members through coaching, mentoring, performance management, succession planning, and capability-building initiatives.

- Build a high-performing culture that promotes accountability, engagement, ownership, teamwork, and continuous learning.

- Actively mentor and coach packaging operators, leads, and supervisors to maintain focus on safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

- Drive Packaging safety policies and procedures, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

- Ensure continuous operation of process equipment through active operator management, process monitoring, and troubleshooting.

- Effectively communicate operational priorities, process changes, and performance expectations through shift handovers, daily production meetings, email, action logs, work orders, and other communication channels.

- Effectively communicate job knowledge and process changes to the operations team members and management through various forms of daily communication (shift handover meeting, daily production meetings, email, action logs, work orders, etc).

- Ensure tasks in packaging, sanitation, quality, and maintenance are completed according to MAB standards.

- Ensure adherence to ISO, GMP, JSA, and HACCP food safety programs as they relate to the manufacturing process.

- Drive quality and reproducibility of results through routine packaging performance audits.

- Audit documentation to ensure completion of inventory checks, quality inspections, sanitation requirements, SOP compliance, and basic maintenance tasks.

- Drive preventative and routine maintenance programs, including operator inspections and equipment lubrication activities.

- Ensure safety, mechanical, and electrical issues reported by operators are addressed in a timely manner.

- Ensure inventory levels are accurate and effectively managed to meet scheduled production requirements.

- Manage day-to-day packaging operations and production scheduling within the assigned area.

- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to remove operational barriers and ensure efficient execution of production plans.

Skills & Experiences Needed:

- 7+ years of manufacturing experience with increasing levels of responsibility

- 5+ years of supervisory experience in high-speed manufacturing environment, including successful management of direct reports across all shifts in 24/7 operation

- Lean Methodology including but not limited to 5S, CIL, Centerline, RCA, etc.

- On-call 24 hours to support operations.

- GMP, HAACP, food safety knowledge preferred.

The PACKAGING AREA MANAGER position is well-suited for you if you have/are:

- Demonstrated leadership skills with proven ability to negotiate and influence effectively with internal partners.

- Proven ability to develop, motivate, and empower employees (hourly), while fostering an environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration.

- Strong problem-solving ability and analytical mindset, efficient decision making to ensure that all shift measurables are met.

- Excellent communication skills both orally and written. Ability to communicate technical and complex concepts.

- Ability to manage well under pressure while staying true to the company values.

- Ability to provide and receive open and regular feedback and adjust accordingly.

- Works collaboratively within various teams. Ability to adjust communication/leadership style as needed and when appropriate.

- Fully accountable owner of self and team behaviors and results.

- Strong work ethic and willingness to take on any task.

- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize work while multitasking.

- Ability to demonstrate and maintain a positive can-do attitude.

Working conditions:

- Fast-paced and constantly changing work environment.

- Shift work including days, evenings, overnight shifts, and up to 12 hrs.

- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

- Ability to stand/move 8-12 hours per day.

- Ability to ascend/descend stairs/ladders throughout shift.

- Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including (but not limited to) bump cap, safety steel toe shoes, safety glasses, dust masks or PAPRs.

- Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

This position has been identified as a safety sensitive position within the state of Arizona.

At Mark Anthony, we exist to Unearth the Extraordinary:

Our Purpose is not just a statement; it is a call to action that binds us together and ignites our passion for making a difference. It is the driving force behind why we do what we do every single day, connecting our global organization across all business units, roles, and locations. We are:

Best in Our Craft
We set the standard with a pursuit of excellence that can be found in everything from our products and processes to our plants and people.​

Ambitiously Curious
We stay curious, dreaming big and navigating the unknown with an enduring belief in better.​​

Made With Humility
We bring humility, authenticity, fun, and support to every collaboration and celebrate wins as a team.

Daringly Disruptive
We disrupt the status quo, moving fast to seize opportunities and acting scrappy ​to stay ahead of industry giants.​