Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of injection molding operators, material handlers, and setup technicians.
- Monitor production schedules and ensure daily output, quality, and efficiency targets are achieved.
- Oversee mold setup, startup, troubleshooting, and changeover activities.
- Ensure compliance with all safety procedures, environmental requirements, and company policies.
- Monitor machine performance and address process issues to minimize downtime and scrap.
- Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and timely repairs.
- Conduct root cause analysis for production, quality, and equipment-related issues.
- Implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, and cost reduction.
- Review production metrics, including scrap rates, machine utilization, downtime, and labor efficiency.
- Train, coach, and develop employees to improve performance and technical skills.
- Conduct employee performance evaluations and administer corrective actions when necessary.
- Ensure proper documentation of production records, quality checks, and shift reports.
- Support new product launches, process validations, and engineering change implementations.
- Maintain compliance with customer requirements, ISO standards, and other applicable quality systems.
- Participate in inventory control efforts related to molds, raw materials, and finished goods.
- Promote a positive work environment and foster teamwork across all shifts.
Qualifications
Education
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Associate's degree or technical certification in Manufacturing, Plastics Technology, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of injection molding manufacturing experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with mold setup, processing, troubleshooting, and process optimization preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of plastic injection molding processes and equipment.
- Ability to troubleshoot molding defects such as flash, short shots, sink marks, splay, and warpage.
- Knowledge of tooling, molds, auxiliary equipment, and automation systems.
- Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Familiarity with SPC (statistical Process control), quality systems, and manufacturing documentation.
- Strong leadership, communication, and employee development skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing ERP systems.
- Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, and meet production deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and moving machinery.
- Ability to use personal protective equipment as required.
Work Environment
- Manufacturing production facility operating multiple injection molding machines.
- May require overtime, weekends, and flexible scheduling to support production requirements.
- Exposure to industrial equipment, forklifts, and automated production systems.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Safety performance and incident rates.
- Production output and schedule attainment.
- Scrap and rework reduction.
- Machine uptime and efficiency.
- Labor productivity.
- Quality performance and customer complaints.
- Employee training and retention.
- Continuous improvement project completion.
