Assistant Maintenance Supervisor – Injection Molding

Software Placement Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group is seeking an Assistant Maintenance Supervisor outside of Chicago, IL, to back up the Maintenance Supervisor and lead a team responsible for maintaining injection molding machines and related equipment. The role combines hands-on troubleshooting with leadership duties to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.

The ideal candidate brings extensive repair experience with injection molding systems, strong troubleshooting skills, and a drive to advance into

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on repair experience with injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret prints, diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to perform root cause analysis.
• Welding skills preferred or required.
• Interest in moving into a formal leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Backup the Maintenance Supervisor during absences and help lead the maintenance team.
• Coordinate daily maintenance activities to minimize downtime and support production.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic issues on injection molding equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts to prevent repeat failures.
• Assist with preventive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Provide hands-on maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment.
• Mentor and develop maintenance technicians; reinforce standards and safety.
• Review time sheets, work orders, and maintenance priorities; coordinate with tool crib staff.
• Maintain inventory of parts, tools, and supplies; communicate with production and management.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain a clean maintenance environment.
• Support a range of equipment including injection molding machines, chillers, thermolators, resin dryers, material handling systems, grinders, and tower fans.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Reading prints/diagrams

Safety compliance

Lifting up to 55 lbs

Job description

Location: Just outside of Chicago, IL | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

An established manufacturer of injection-molded products is seeking an Assistant Maintenance Supervisor to serve as the primary backup to the Maintenance Supervisor. This role supports the reliable operation of injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment through hands‑on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and team leadership, and is ideal for a maintenance professional looking to grow into a formal leadership position while staying technically engaged.

What you’ll do

• Act as backup to the Maintenance Supervisor during absences and assist with day‑to‑day leadership of the maintenance team
• Support and help coordinate daily maintenance activities to minimize downtime and support production
• Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic issues on injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment
• Lead and support root cause analysis efforts to prevent repeat failures
• Assist with preventive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and uptime
• Provide hands‑on maintenance support as needed, including machine and auxiliary equipment repairs
• Support training, development, and mentoring of maintenance technicians
• Help reinforce accountability, work standards, and a problem‑solving mindset within the maintenance team
• Assist with reviewing time sheets, work orders, and maintenance priorities
• Work with tool crib personnel to maintain appropriate inventory of parts, tools, and supplies
• Communicate effectively with production, tooling, and management to support plant priorities
• Promote and enforce safe work practices and maintain a clean, organized maintenance environment
• Support equipment including injection molding machines, chillers, thermolators, resin dryers, material handling and loader systems, grinders, and tower fans
• Perform additional related duties as assigned

Required qualifications

• Extensive experience repairing injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
• Proven troubleshooting skills and ability to perform root cause analysis
• Ability to read and interpret prints, diagrams, and technical documentation
• Welding skills required
• Strong interest in advancing into a formal leadership role
• Ability to balance hands‑on technical work with leadership and administrative responsibilities
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with moderate noise and frequent movement on the production floor
• Ability to stand and/or walk for the duration of the shift
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs
• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, kneel, crouch, push, and pull as required
• Ability to climb and work atop molding machines, ladders, and aerial lift equipment
• Ability to work occasionally in confined or tight spaces
• Must wear required PPE, including fire‑retardant apparel

Preferred qualifications

• Machining skills a plus
• Prior lead, senior technician, or informal leadership experience preferred

Why this role

This position offers a path for a hands‑on maintenance professional to grow into a formal leadership role while continuing to work directly on injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment.