Training Manager – Plastics

Key Responsibilities

• Develop And Deliver Practical, Shop-floor Training In Areas Including Plastics extrusion operationsInjection molding operationsAssembly and fabrication of piping, fittings, and related componentsEquipment setup, startup, shutdown, and troubleshootingMaterial handling and processing requirementsTooling, dies, molds, fixtures, and changeover practicesProduct quality checks and defect recognitionSafe operating procedures and standard work
• Provide direct coaching to operators, technicians, team leads, apprentices, and new hires to build technical skill and production discipline.
• Create, maintain, and improve structured training programs for manufacturing roles.
• Develop training matrices, skills assessments, certification levels, and progression plans for key production positions.
• Build training schedules that align with production needs, staffing plans, apprenticeship requirements, and business priorities.
• Ensure training materials, work instructions, checklists, and assessments are accurate, current, and aligned with operational standards.
• Oversee apprentice training and development within plastics manufacturing operations.
• Coordinate apprentice rotations, skill progression, evaluations, and documentation.
• Partner with supervisors, mentors, and technical experts to ensure apprentices receive consistent, meaningful hands-on experience.
• Track apprentice performance and provide feedback, coaching, and corrective guidance where needed.
• Work directly with production leaders to identify skill gaps, recurring process issues, quality concerns, and training needs.
• Support process improvement initiatives by training employees on new methods, equipment, standards, and best practices.
• Reinforce safe work practices, housekeeping expectations, quality standards, and production discipline.
• Aid in onboarding new manufacturing employees and ensuring they are prepared to work safely and effectively.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of leadership, engineering, technical training, or senior operational experience in a plastics production environment.
• Strong hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: Plastics extrusionInjection moldingPlastic pipe and fittings productionAssembly and fabrication of plastic components.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and develop manufacturing employees in a shop-floor environment.
• Experience developing training schedules, skills matrices, work instructions, or structured training programs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing safety, quality, productivity, standard work, and process control.
• Ability to communicate effectively with operators, apprentices, supervisors, engineers, maintenance teams, and senior leadership.
• Proven ability to lead by example and reinforce standards through practical, hands-on instruction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience managing or supporting apprenticeship programs.
• Tech degree, engineering degree, trade certification, or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• Experience in PVC, CPVC, HDPE, PP, PE, or other thermoplastic piping systems.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing, 5S, continuous improvement, or structured problem solving.
• Experience with ISO quality systems or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Prior supervisory, production leadership, maintenance, tooling, or process engineering experience.