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Contract Packager Evaluation Checklist

36 questions to ask before choosing a contract packaging partner. Use the interactive tool below to track responses digitally, or download a printable version for facility tours.

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Contract Packager Evaluation Checklist

36 questions to ask before choosing a contract packaging partner. Use this during facility tours, calls, and RFP processes to capture and compare vendor responses.

Built for CPG brand procurement teams by Industrial Packaging, a contract packaging partner helping brands focus on growth for 72 years. These questions come from actual customer conversations, facility tours, and industry evaluation standards.
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1

Operations Questions

For VP/Director of Operations
0/7 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
What certifications do you hold? (SQF, FDA, AIB, SEDEX, Allergen)
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
SQF Level 2, FDA, AIB (Level of Excellence rating), SEDEX, Allergen Control Program.
✓
Can you share current service metrics? (Fill rate, complaints per million)
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
98.98% fill rate (2025 average), 1.47 complaints per million packages produced. AIB Level of Excellence rating.
✓
What is your standard turnaround time?
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
10 business days standard turnaround. Rush capabilities available with advance coordination.
✓
What is your production capacity by service type?
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Weekly capacity: 1.5M multipacks, 405K kits, 7K displays. Currently at ~60% utilization with room to scale.
✓
Can we schedule a plant tour?
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Yes, plant tours are available and encouraged. Contact us to schedule a visit to our Massachusetts facility.
✓
What are your quality check procedures and frequency?
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Checks throughout entire process: incoming inspections, first article at job start, hourly in-process checks (visual, seal integrity, label verification, allergen controls), and end-of-run inspections. All documented on standardized QC forms.
✓
How do you verify incoming products meet our specs?
Operations
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Supplier approval verification, documentation review, and physical inspection for damage, contamination, or labeling issues. Non-conforming materials placed on hold with corrective action procedures.
2

Quality & Compliance Questions

For Quality/Compliance Leaders
0/5 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
How quickly can you complete a mock trace exercise?
Quality
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Within 4 hours. Verified twice per year through our SQF Product Trace program.
✓
Can I speak directly with your compliance manager?
Quality
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Yes. Macarena Cardozo, our Compliance Manager, is directly accessible to customers for compliance questions and audit coordination.
✓
What does your traceability system look like?
Quality
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Electronic tracking with lot code tracing from inbound materials through production to finished goods. Pallet-level scanning at key process points.
✓
Who is responsible for food safety and compliance?
Quality
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Macarena Cardozo serves as our dedicated Compliance Manager, overseeing all food safety programs, certifications, and audit readiness.
✓
How accessible is your compliance team when issues arise?
Quality
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Our compliance team is directly accessible during business hours. Critical issues escalate immediately to leadership. You won't chase us for answers.
3

Supply Chain & Logistics Questions

For VP/Director of Supply Chain
0/5 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
What systems can you integrate with? (EDI, ERP)
Supply Chain
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Any system that accepts EDI. We integrate with major ERP platforms for order management and inventory visibility.
✓
What is your geographic service area?
Supply Chain
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
We best serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions from our Massachusetts facility. National distribution is possible for the right fit.
✓
Do you have backup capacity or partner relationships for surge/disruption?
Supply Chain
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
We have a documented business continuity plan available to all customers, covering backup capacity, insurance, and communication protocols.
✓
How do you communicate shipping status and delays?
Supply Chain
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Proactive updates at key milestones. If anything changes, you know immediately. You won't chase us for shipping updates.
✓
What visibility do I have into my order in real-time?
Supply Chain
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Real-time order tracking available. All QA inspections documented with photos and accessible online. Shared workbooks for ongoing programs.
4

Reporting & Communication Questions

For All Decision Makers
0/4 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
What does your standard production reporting look like?
Reporting
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Customized to your priorities. We ask what metrics matter to YOU and build reporting around your KPIs, not generic templates.
✓
How often do you send status updates during production?
Reporting
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Proactive updates at key milestones. You hear about wins AND issues, not just problems. Frequency tailored to project complexity.
✓
Do you offer real-time order tracking or shared dashboards?
Reporting
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Yes. Live order tracking, shared workbooks for ongoing programs, and all QA documentation accessible online.
✓
How do you handle communication when issues arise?
Reporting
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Immediate escalation with clear ownership. You know about issues as they happen, not after the fact. Your GM is your direct contact.
5

Procurement Questions

For Procurement Manager
0/6 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
How do you validate your suppliers?
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Annual site visits and third-party audit certificates required for all suppliers. Documented supplier approval process.
✓
How long can you lock pricing?
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
6-month price locks available. Provides budget predictability for your planning cycles.
✓
Are there indexes we can follow for material cost changes?
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Yes. We can tie material costs to industry indexes for corrugated and films, providing transparent cost adjustments.
✓
How do you manage inventory levels (min/max)?
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Min/max levels established with customer alignment to reduce exposure while maintaining flexibility. We leverage your forecast to predict demand and adjust inventory levels accordingly.
✓
What's your pricing model? (Per unit, project-based, retainer)
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Typically per-unit pricing with fully-loaded rates. No hidden fees. Project-based available for complex programs.
✓
Are there setup fees or hidden costs?
Procurement
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
No hidden fees. Fully-loaded pricing includes labor, materials handling, and standard QA. Setup fees disclosed upfront when applicable.
6

Partnership Questions

For Any Decision-Maker
0/9 ✓ Complete ▼
✓
Can we speak with current customers as references?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Yes. Customer references available upon request for serious evaluations.
✓
Who will be our main point of contact?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Your General Manager (Jim Winkler) is your primary contact. Direct access, not a call center.
✓
What is the financial health of your business?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Independently owned for 72 years with a strong banking relationship. Stable, not private-equity backed.
✓
What documentation do you provide after each run?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
We provide complete quality documentation including lot code, items consumed, units produced, photos of completed product, and any other customer-specific information needed.
✓
What's your ramp-up timeline to full production?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
2.5 weeks typical ramp-up to full production. Faster for simpler projects.
✓
How do you handle rush or expedited projects?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Rush capabilities available with advance coordination. We're nimble enough to respond when you need us.
✓
What happens if demand drops significantly below forecast?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
We work with you on inventory management and scheduling adjustments. Partnership means flexibility in both directions.
✓
How do you approach service innovation with clients?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Biweekly service innovation meetings tailored to each customer contact. We actively look for ways to improve your experience.
✓
What is your business continuity plan for major disruptions?
Partnership
📝 Vendor's Response
Industrial Packaging's Answer
Partner relationships for backup capacity, comprehensive insurance, and established communication protocols. You'll know within hours of any disruption.

✓ What Great Partners Deliver

During your evaluation, look for a partner who:

  • Confirms trace exercise timing upfront — Retailers require 4-hour traces; strong partners respond quickly
  • Names a direct compliance contact — Accessible compliance teams solve problems before they escalate
  • Provides real-time order visibility — Dashboards and proactive updates keep you informed
  • Communicates proactively — Great partners keep you in the loop without being asked
  • Shares service metrics openly — Transparency builds trust and drives continuous improvement

📥 Save Your Progress

Download a PDF with your notes and Industrial Packaging's answers for easy comparison.

Related Resources

📊 Cost Calculator Estimate your contract packaging costs 📦 IP's Contract Packaging Services Explore our capabilities 📖 Adding a Partner How to add a co-packer without disruption 🥨 Snack Food Packaging Industry-specific capabilities

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