Molding Manager - General

Responsibilities

• Lead the Production Manager and Technical Manager directly, and approximately 175 employees indirectly.
• Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a three-shift operation.
• Monitor production metrics, prepare reports, and recommend operational improvements.
• Oversee mold changes and assembly cell changeovers to ensure inventory requirements are met.
• Conduct capacity studies and monitor production capacity; collaborate with commodities to insource/outsource work as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including scrap reduction and increased OEE.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production Planning to support new product launches and problem-solving efforts.
• Ensure part quality meets established specifications.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, ensuring all safety devices are functioning properly.
• Cook with Maintenance to schedule machine repairs, minimizing downtime and maintaining at least 85% capacity utilization.
• Interpret company policies to employees and enforce safety regulations.
• Work with outside molding vendors to resolve issues during mold/machine setup or repair.
• Operate department using Lean Manufacturing methodologies (Kanban, 5s and continuous improvement).

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to lead people and manage projects.
• Strong understanding of the injection molding process and process development.
• Understanding thermoplastic resins and morphology (material behavior).
• Understanding of plastic part design and injection tooling design for manufacturability.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required.
• Experience with ERP and MES is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Plastics Engineering Technology or a related technical field.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to use hands to handle or feel objects, touch or press controls, reach with arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must have close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Frequently required to push, pull, maneuver or lift up to 10 lbs.