ABSTRACT
Packaging management It must first be stressed that the packaging function cannot and should not be separated from the product, particularly as the pack primarily serves as a means of selling and protecting the product. The functions within a company which are either directly or indirectly associated with packaging become more diverse in terms of individual job responsibilities as a company increases in size. Whereas in a small company one person may cover every activity and probably not realise that one is involved in packaging, many specific jobs can be identified with larger companies. Although the job titles may vary, the list below covers most of the major activities. These are not listed in any particular order of importance, and a study of various companies will establish that the authority endowed in a specific function varies significantly, depending on whether the overall activities are marketing, purchasing, development, engineering-oriented, etc. Any one of a number of areas could therefore have the responsibility of leading a packaging co-ordination function. The following job titles or activities are frequently found in the pharmaceutical industry:
• marketing and sales • packaging supplies buying, packaging buyer or package purchasing • supplies manager, warehouse supplies, warehouse manager, finished stock manager • package development, packaging technology, pack or package research or
engineering • production, product manufacture and packaging • production engineering, machinery purchasing, spare-part supplies and maintenance • analytical method development for product and 'pack' • pack design, packaging design — graphical and functional; design purchasing • legal aspects of packaging; legal department • works technical, technical support — usually based as a support function to
production • quality control (QC), packaging • quality assurance (QA), packaging
« specifications, pack assembly details, general documentation associated with packaging (may be seen as an administration/clerical function)
• transportation manager • project management and packaging co-ordination management • market research — user opinions/attitudes • clinical trials — particularly relevant where pack is administration-oriented • costing, package costing • regulatory affairs (product-pack registration) • medical — advising on dosage regime, method and site of administration • formal stability testing and ongoing product stability testing.
