Packaging Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Bilingual candidates (English/ Spanish) strongly desired.

CAVA is a category-defining Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand, bringing together healthful food and bold, satisfying flavors at scale. Our non-negotiable? Taking care of the people and things that feed us. This is the cornerstone of our company culture and paramount to everything we do and achieve.

Our mission is to bring heart, health, and humanity to food—we do that through hiring great people who care about our commitment to hospitality and generosity.

At CAVA, we serve food you can be proud of. And we employ people you want to grow with. Discover the right opportunity for you and flavor your future

At CAVA Foods we love what we do, and we manufacture every product to be as fulfilling as the last. At our manufacturing center we are looking for fanatics in food who take pride in our products and are ready to ensure every CAVA Restaurant and retail partner receives products that uphold the high-quality standards of our brand.

Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.

Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.

Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.

Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.

Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

Love the food at our restaurants? CAVA Foods team members enjoy a Restaurant Meal Benefit that provides free and discounted meals every day of the week.

As the Packaging Supervisor you will lead departmental operations. The Packaging Department is responsible for packing products for our restaurants and for grocery stores. Your work will consist of ensuring your department, team, and equipment are operating and functioning correctly and efficiently. You will lead the set up the packaging lines, production equipment, and operating packaging equipment including unloaders, packaging machines, labeling machines, and daters. As well as end-of-shift sanitation and cleaning activities. You will follow company work orders and procedures to ensure production consistency, and you will be responsible for all departmental documentation. You will demonstrate and emphasize strong quality and food safety standards, training team members as required. You will also coordinate with team members and departments to ensure timely and efficient production. In short, you will be responsible for your entire packaging department, the team's functions, and all departmental documentation. You will serve as a positive example for your entire team and report directly to the Production Manager.

• Review weekly and daily production schedules and plan accordingly with the Production Manager and team members. Lead daily production huddles.

• Lead the proper setup of the Packaging area, including filling and conveying equipment, automation systems, palletizers, and labeling, and preparing equipment for scheduled production work orders.

• Demonstrate proficiency in operating packaging and material-handling equipment, including form-fill-seal, cup fill-seal, and bottle filling machines; lidding and labeling systems; product conveyors; case forming and sealing equipment; and palletizing equipment. Perform product inspections, QA checks, and required documentation, and train other team members as needed.

• Operate packaging equipment and automation system including properly inputting product recipes and traceability documentation, monitoring food safety & quality control points, ensuring safe operations and monitoring upstream and downstream packaging activities.

• Direct and transport raw materials and finished goods between the warehouse and packaging area using a manual or electric pallet jack.

• Visually inspect packaged products and ensure all products are properly labeled and packaged. Work with department supervisor and managers to correct deficiencies.

• Lead general sanitation activities, including breakdown of various packaging stations, following product changeovers, and at the end of the production shift.

• Effectively lead a team and departmental operations to ensure timely and efficient production. Embrace collective ambition.

• Prepare and review documentation (written or digital) as required for food safety, quality, and production tracking activities. Train others in best practices.

• Adhere to and demonstrate to team members all safety guidelines (both personnel and food safety-related) and Good Manufacturing Practices.

• Identify and promptly report product, processing, documentation and employee performance issues to the management team.

• Report potentially unsafe working or equipment conditions and work with the management team to correct deficiencies.

• Embrace continuous improvement.

• Lead teams to accomplish priorities and initiatives with the impact for the guest in mind

• Effectively communicate goals, priorities, and action items to direct reports; actively give feedback on progress updates

• Conduct impactful and meaningful DE&IO conversations within team and organization

• Create opportunities for Team Members to grow in their roles and progress into higher roles in the organization

• Execute effective decision-making skills to led team to succeed

• Oversee innovative solutions proposed by direct reports

• Maintain emotional stability in stressful situations; lead by example for how our team should handle adversity

• Abide by policies and procedures that support the service mindset

• Manage timeline expectations within and across teams, deliver on our responsibilities accordingly

• Earn the trust of Team Members and Managers by consistently embracing CAVA’s values

• Show discipline in bringing consistent performance, communication, and attitude to the job every day

• Actively contribute to your department in order to complete tasks and meet company goals

• Recognize the emotional stake each Team Member has in personal and organizational success of this business

• 4-5 years food processing/packaging experience.

• 4+ years’ experience operating food processing/packaging equipment, including metal detectors, vision systems, checkweighers, conveyor systems, case erection & sealing, labeling and automation systems.

• 3-4 years' experience leading teams and operations.

• You must be able to begin work by 6:30am Monday Through Thursday.

• We target 4 days and 40 hours. Overtime as needed.

• You must demonstrate proper clock management and maintain a strong attendance.

• You must be able to read and follow packaging instructions and procedures to ensure the products are properly packaged.

• You must be able to lead and effectively work and communicate with others.

• You must maintain close concentration and visual attention to assigned tasks.

• You must be willing and able to follow instructions.

• You must have competent English verbal and written language skills. Bilingual English Spanish preferred.

• You must have competent math skills.

• You must be competent with smart phones, tablets, and email.

• You must maintain a respectful workplace by ensuring effective communication among all team members within the department and with other departments.

• You must help foster collaboration.

• You must set a positive example for all team members.

• You must understand and support the company's goals and hierarchy.

• Physical dexterity, ability to lift up to 45 lbs and push/pull rolling bowls, carts, and containers.

• The ability to work in varied environmental conditions (dry, cold)

• The ability to stand and work on your feet for up to 4 hours at a time.

• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively.

• Ability to squat, kneel, bend and twist

• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

• Allergens: We prepare products with milk and sesame containing ingredients. Team members must be able to work with these ingredients.

• Weekly pay!

• A regular shift and a 4-day work week (rarely extended to 5 days)

• Competitive starting pay

• Six paid holidays throughout the year

• Paid Sick Leave, Community Leave, and Voting Leave

• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!

• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution

• Free meal on weekdays plus additional meal discounts throughout the week, for food at the Cava Grill Restaurants.

• Free finished (8 & 16oz) products (Hummus, Tzatziki, Crazy Feta, Roasted Eggplant, Harissa, etc.).

• Casual, focused, and positive work environment

• The opportunity to learn about food safety, food manufacturing, and equipment operation

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.