Blow Molding Technician Manager
About the role
Amalie Oil Company is North America's largest privately held independent blender of motor oils and industrial lubricants, with production facilities in Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Los Angeles area. The company manufactures over 3,000 products distributed to all 50 states and over 100 countries worldwide. The Blow Molding Technician Manager will lead technicians in the installation and repair of blow molding machines and manufacturing equipment, design solutions for difficult problems, manage projects, and help train and mentor other technicians. This role bridges high‑level strategic planning with advanced technical oversight due to the reliance on high‑pressure air, complex hydraulics, and precise thermal control.
Responsibilities
- Oversee preventative and corrective maintenance of extrusion blow molding (EBM) or injection stretch blow molding (ISBM) machines, managing wear on clamping units, tie bars, and blow pins.
- Ensure proper functioning of heating zones, extruders, screws, and die heads (parison controllers) to avoid material contamination or wall‑thickness defects.
- Maintain downstream and upstream infrastructure, including high‑pressure air compressors, water chillers, material blenders, and grinders for recycling flash/scrap.
- Build and manage a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), transitioning the plant from reactive to preventive and predictive maintenance; schedule deep cleans, seal replacements, and overhauls during planned shutdowns.
- Coordinate with the toolroom to track mold readiness, cleanings, and repairs; inspect molds for alignment, flashing issues, and cooling line blockages before mounting.
- Keep critical spares in stock (specific heating bands, hydraulic valves, pneumatic cylinders, PLC modules) to minimize unscheduled downtime.
- Recruit, mentor, and upskill technicians in hydraulics, electronics, and PLC troubleshooting.
- Enforce rigorous safety rules, specifically Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures during mold changes, and mandate PPE when working near high‑temperature molten plastic or high‑pressure lines.
- Partner with the Production Manager to schedule maintenance windows that do not jeopardize customer deadlines.
- Analyze performance metrics like Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to optimize cycle times, reduce energy consumption, and eliminate recurring machine failures.
- Hire, train, schedule, and supervise maintenance technicians and staff.
- Plan daily and weekly maintenance tasks, assign work orders, and prioritize urgent repairs.
- Develop and manage routine inspection and servicing programs to prevent unexpected equipment downtime.
- Hire and oversee third‑party vendors and specialized tradespeople for major projects or complex repairs; work with production managers to schedule downtime for major repairs, mold changes, and equipment upgrades.
- Focus on daily tasks, shift operations, direct technician oversight, and immediate repairs.
Requirements
- Prior experience in blow molding and plastic manufacturing.
- Experience managing multiple direct reports for multiple shifts.
- Strong attention to detail, ability to use hand tools, and hard‑working leadership skills.
- Ability to stand for 8‑12 hours, use stairs, and lift up to 50+ pounds.
- Comfortable working in a hot, fast‑paced environment.
- Must be comfortable with heights.
- Open to a flexible schedule, including long shifts, holidays, and weekends.
- Personal Protective Equipment: slip‑resistant safety‑toe shoes, eye protection, hearing protection.
Benefits
- AOCUSA pays the full cost of employee’s health insurance.
- Complete insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental plans available.
- 401(k) with company match and profit sharing.
- Paid holidays and paid time off.
- Free life insurance.
- Chaplain assistance program.
- Medical expense reimbursement program.
Schedule
First Shift: 6:00 AM EST – 2:30 PM EST; Full‑Time: Monday – Friday + Overtime as Needed; On‑Site: N. Charleston, SC