Alltrista - Technician, Process Sr, Reedsville, PA

Alltrista Plastics LLC, a subsidiary of Jadex Inc., is a leading manufacturer of high-volume, precision injection molded parts. The company designs and manufactures using proprietary engineering processes and extensive capabilities across five global locations, delivering innovative plastic solutions for Consumer Products, Medical/Healthcare, Personal Care, Health & Beauty, Caps & Closures, and Packaging markets.

About the role

Under minimal supervision, the Senior Process Technician serves as the technical expert for injection molding processes at the Reedsville facility. This role optimizes manufacturing processes, troubleshoots complex molding and equipment issues, supports tooling and automation, and provides technical leadership to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Diagnoses and resolves complex issues involving molding equipment, robotics/automation, auxiliary equipment, and electrical control systems.
• Performs mold set-ups, process start-ups, color changes, and process adjustments while ensuring equipment and tooling operate safely and efficiently.
• Partners with Quality, Tooling, Automation, Engineering, and Production teams to resolve technical issues, improve processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provides technical leadership by training and mentoring Process Technicians, Mold Setters, and production employees on best practices, troubleshooting, and safe operating procedures.
• Develops, optimizes, and continuously improves manufacturing processes using scientific molding principles, SPC, process monitoring, and advanced troubleshooting techniques.
• Supports mold maintenance activities including mold wiring, manifold cleaning, gate maintenance, cavity polishing, and other tooling repairs.
• Maintains compliance with Quality Management System (QMS) requirements, safety standards, company policies, and good housekeeping practices.
• Identifies and communicates equipment, quality, and safety concerns while maintaining accurate documentation and reporting issues to leadership.
• Leads and supports continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and equipment reliability.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support manufacturing operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of injection molding processing and troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership with the ability to train, mentor, and support Process Technicians in advanced troubleshooting, scientific molding techniques, and safe equipment operation.
• Skills to use a systematic approach in solving problems through analysis and evaluation of alternate solutions; use logic, mathematics, or other problem-solving tools in data analysis or generating solutions.
• Working knowledge of mold design, hot runner systems, and scientific molding principles.
• Working knowledge of material behavior and rheology.
• Computer skills necessary to effectively utilize CIM (Computer-Integrated Manufacturing).
• Self-motivated to learn and perform job tasks to meet or exceed customer and company expectations.
• Demonstrates the capacity to work at an efficient rate to meet production goals and standards.
• Effectively communicates with others both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Process Technician Level IV certification preferred; ability to successfully complete certification within an established timeframe required.
• Completion of advanced scientific molding training such as Paulson, RJG Systematic Molding, DOE, SPC, or equivalent technical programs.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot injection molding processes, including flash, shorts, splay, gas burns, bubbles, voids, and other molding defects.
• Strong understanding of plastic flow, pack, hold, transfer methods, cure, and process decoupling.
• Experience troubleshooting hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, robotics, and auxiliary equipment including thermolators, mold temperature controllers, conveyors, and automation systems.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including live voltage safety, machine controls, sensors, switches, heaters, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and tooling prints.
• Experience performing mold wiring, manifold maintenance, gate repair, cavity polishing, and other advanced tooling functions.
• Ability to perform material moisture analysis and apply process data to improve product quality and process capability.

Physical Requirements

The conditions described are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Environment: Normal manufacturing environments; work with machinery and media in or around confined spaces; exposure to chemicals, grease, and oils.
• Physical: Sufficient physical ability to perform light lifting and carrying; reaching, kneeling, crawling, climbing; standing for prolonged periods. May be required to lift up to 50 lbs. to a height of 4 feet and up to 20 lbs. to a height of 7 feet. May be required to carry, push, or pull up to 45 pounds. On occasion, must be able to lift up to 45 pounds. Must routinely climb/descend stairs, ladders, and similar elevations.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• Other: Travel by automobile and commercial transportation. Ability to work overtime or occasionally on weekends with short notice.