Greif, Inc. Packaging Jobs in the U.S.: Roles, Skills, and How to Apply

Greif, Inc. Packaging Jobs in the United States

Greif, Inc. is a global leader in industrial packaging, operating 250+ facilities across 43 countries and serving critical sectors such as chemicals, lubricants, coatings, and food additives. If you are exploring Greif packaging jobs in the U.S., this guide explains the roles we hire for, the skills that stand out, our safety-first culture, and how to apply.

Why build your career at Greif

• Global scale, local teams: Consistent quality standards worldwide with local manufacturing and service in the United States.
• Safety and compliance DNA: Our packaging is engineered for hazardous materials with UN certification pathways and rigorous testing (e.g., leak, drop, vibration).
• Sustainability in action: Lifecycle Services (recovery, cleaning, and reconditioning of steel drums) helps customers reduce packaging cost and carbon footprint.
• Career growth: Clear pathways from production to maintenance, quality, engineering, and leadership, supported by structured training.
• Impactful work: Our products move essential materials safely—from steel drums and plastic drums to fiber drums, IBCs, and FIBCs.

In-demand packaging roles

• Production Operator (Steel/Plastic/Fiber Drums): Operate forming, welding, curing, trimming, and finishing lines; set up and change over equipment; follow standard work and 5S.
• Printing & Label Technician: Run stencil, inkjet, or label application systems for GHS/UN/DOT-compliant markings; verify print legibility and adhesion; manage artwork and batch codes.
• Maintenance Technician (Mechanical/Electrical): Troubleshoot motors, PLCs, VFDs, hydraulics and pneumatics; perform preventive maintenance; support continuous improvement projects.
• Quality Technician: Execute incoming/inline/final inspections; perform leak, pressure, and dimensional checks; maintain ISO 9001 documentation; support corrective actions.
• EHS Specialist: Drive OSHA compliance, LOTO, hazard communication, and incident investigations; train teams; align with DOT/UN packaging rules.
• Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinator: Schedule production and shipments; manage inventory; optimize material flow; coordinate with carriers on hazmat requirements.
• Process/Packaging Engineer: Improve line throughput and first-pass yield; validate new drum/IBC designs; lead test plans; partner with vendors on tooling and materials.
• Sales & Account Manager (Industrial): Serve chemical, coatings, and lubricants customers; align packaging specs and certifications; coordinate VMI and Lifecycle Services.

Skills and certifications that stand out

• Manufacturing fundamentals: Lean/5S, standard work, root cause analysis, SPC, and basic metrology.
• Quality & compliance: ISO 9001/14001 familiarity; GHS/DOT labeling; understanding of UN packaging codes and PG I/II/III requirements.
• Technical aptitude: Welding fundamentals for steel-drum lines, mechanical assembly, basic PLC diagnostics, and lockout/tagout.
• Safety credentials: OSHA 10/30, forklift certification; hazmat handling/transport basics (49 CFR).
• Printing/marking: Experience with ink systems, curing, adhesion tests, and artwork control on curved surfaces.

What makes Greif’s products different

Industrial packaging at Greif is engineered for reliability. In 2024, Greif’s 55-gallon UN PG II steel drum completed an independent drop test at -18°C, demonstrating zero leaks across 18 trials and surviving drops up to 1.8 meters (TÜV report TÜV-2024-UN-7823). Our portfolio covers UN Class 1–9 applications (with specialized exceptions for gases and radioactive materials), helping customers move hazardous materials safely and compliantly.

Our Lifecycle Services program closes the loop for steel drums: recovery, professional cleaning, inspection, and reconditioning. In a recent enterprise program, a global chemical customer reduced packaging cost by 58% over three use cycles while achieving significant CO₂ reductions—evidence that circular packaging can be both cost-effective and sustainable.

Day in the life: Production Operator

You’ll begin with a safety huddle, confirm machine settings, complete a pre-start checklist, and run quality checks (seam/weld integrity, leak tests, and marking verification). You’ll perform changeovers when moving from steel to lined drums or altering closure types, maintain 5S at your station, and collaborate with maintenance and quality on any abnormalities.

How to apply for Greif packaging jobs

1. Search openings: Visit the Greif careers site and filter by U.S. location, job family (Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Engineering, Supply Chain), and shift.
2. Submit your profile: Upload your resume, include safety achievements, certifications, and examples of process improvements (e.g., scrap reduction, OEE gains).
3. Interview: Expect behavior-based questions (STAR method) and a plant tour for operations roles.
4. Offer & onboarding: Pre-employment checks, safety training, and role-specific certifications kick off your first weeks.

Interview tips

• Bring a concrete safety story: hazard identified, action taken, and outcome.
• Quantify impact: cite yield improvement, downtime reduction, or cost savings.
• Show quality rigor: describe how you used SPC, checklists, or layered audits.
• For maintenance roles, be ready to walk through troubleshooting logic on a recent breakdown.

Growth paths and training

• Operator to Lead/Trainer: Build capability in changeovers, troubleshooting, and coaching.
• Maintenance progression: Mechanical or electrical specialist to reliability technician, then maintenance lead.
• Quality/EHS to leadership: From technician/specialist to coordinator, then manager.
• Engineering: Process engineer to senior/continuous improvement lead, then plant engineering or multi-site roles.

FAQs

• Are these roles on-site? Yes. Most manufacturing, printing/labeling, maintenance, and quality jobs are on-site with shift-based schedules.
• Shifts? Many plants run 24/7 with rotating or fixed shifts (days, nights, weekends) depending on the site.
• Visa sponsorship? Varies by role and location; check each posting.
• Equal opportunity: Greif is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.
• About unrelated searches: Terms like “chilton repair manual online,” “large tote bag women,” and “how to vinyl wrap a car” are not related to Greif packaging jobs or our industrial packaging business. If you reached this page via those queries, please refine your search to “Greif, Inc. careers” or “Greif packaging jobs.”

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re passionate about safe manufacturing, quality, and sustainability, Greif, Inc. offers a platform to build a durable career in industrial packaging. Explore current U.S. openings, highlight your safety and process achievements, and join a team that keeps essential industries moving safely and responsibly.