Shift Packaging Supervisor

Location: On site / Avoca Central Bakery Kitchen, Bray Business Park, Southern Cross Road
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Retail Food
Salary: Competitive salary

Avoca operates in 13 locations across the country. After all this time, the ethos of Avoca remains the same. We cherish our time honoured traditions, which have been lovingly passed down through several generations. While our roots are steeped in tradition, our attitude is focused on the future. Today, Avoca is recognised as one of Ireland's most exciting retail and food brands, with award winning cafés, restaurants, food markets, and artisan food production operations.

Job Summary

The Packaging Supervisor will be responsible for the day to day management and supervision of packaging operations within the Central Bakery & Kitchen (CBK). This role is highly focused on food packaging operations, team supervision, food safety, quality assurance, and achieving daily production targets in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

This is a hands on supervisory role suited to an experienced food production professional who is confident leading teams, managing packaging operations, maintaining food safety standards, and driving performance within a fast paced manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will oversee packaging staff, machinery operation, quality standards, hygiene compliance, and operational efficiencies while ensuring all products are packed, labelled, and dispatched to the highest standard.

This role requires previous supervisory experience within a food production or manufacturing packaging environment and the ability to work efficiently across both ambient and chilled environments.

Due to the location of the site and operational shift requirements, candidates must have access to reliable own transport.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, train, and develop packaging staff while promoting a positive and high performing team environment.
• Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety procedures, food safety standards, GMP, HACCP, and PPE requirements.
• Operate, adjust, clean, and carry out routine maintenance on packaging machinery, including sealing machines, labelling equipment, printers, and automated food depositing equipment.
• Execute daily production plans and ensure packaging targets and deadlines are achieved efficiently.
• Pack, seal, and label food products accurately and efficiently in a high volume production environment.
• Monitor product quality before, during, and after packing, ensuring all products meet company and food safety standards.
• Detect, investigate, and report quality issues, non conformances, and production concerns.
• Carry out root cause analysis and implement corrective actions where required.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, housekeeping, and food safety throughout the department.
• Ensure accurate completion of production, packaging, and quality documentation.
• Responsible for completion of special orders during shift, including food transfers through Meridian EPOS.
• Support dispatch operations to ensure accurate and timely distribution of products.
• Support inventory control processes including FIFO and shelf life management.
• Resolve technical and operational issues promptly to minimise downtime and disruption.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production and packaging operations.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new operatives.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years' experience in a food production or manufacturing packaging environment in a supervisory role.
• Previous experience supervising teams within a high volume food manufacturing environment.
• Management or Supervisory qualification/certification.
• Strong English language communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential to safely carry out the duties of the role, including completion of production records, quality documentation, machinery operation, training, and Health & Safety communication.
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, food safety standards, and packaging operations.
• Experience operating automated heat seal packaging machinery.
• Experience operating automated food depositing machinery.
• Experience using BarTender barcode labelling software and associated equipment.
• Experience using Meridian EPOS systems.
• Experience working to tight production schedules and operational KPIs.
• Comfortable leading teams across chilled and ambient production environments.
• Strong understanding of traceability, allergen controls, and food safety compliance.
• Ability to work under pressure and make decisions in a fast paced production environment.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to motivate, influence, and support team performance.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and computer based reporting systems.
• Ability to work on own initiative with a proactive and analytical approach.
• Highly motivated, flexible, and committed to continuous improvement and personal development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Well organised individual with strong time management skills.

Certifications

• Food Safety Level 2 Certification.
• HACCP and Auditing Certification.
• Health & Safety Level 2 Certification.

Additional Requirements

• Due to the location of the site and operational shift requirements, candidates must have access to reliable own transport.
• Flexibility is required to support operational requirements, including evening, weekend, and additional hours where business needs require.
• Flexibility to work afternoon and evening shifts between 2pm and 11pm, Monday to Saturday.