Engineering Manager

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters seeks a hands-on Engineering Manager to lead Manufacturing Engineering in a fast-paced plastics molding operation in the Greater Columbia area. You’ll drive engineering execution, tooling validation, and process improvements to support production readiness.

The role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration with operations and quality, and experience with APQP/PPAP, IATF, and molding startup activities.

Qualifications

• Strong hands on injection molding manufacturing experience.
• Manufacturing engineering leadership experience.
• Tooling validation, mold launch, and process troubleshooting capability.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, IATF, and structured manufacturing systems.
• Comfortable leading inside fast paced production environments during periods of growth and change.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers supporting production operations.
• Support injection molding process performance, operational readiness, and engineering execution.
• Drive tooling validation, first shot activities, troubleshooting, and process improvement efforts.
• Improve engineering structure, documentation, accountability, and cross functional communication.
• Partner with tooling suppliers, operations, quality, and leadership teams to support production readiness.
• Support expansion activities tied to new equipment, new programs, and increased production demand.
• Help strengthen systems tied to APQP, PPAP, engineering changes, and customer requirements.
• Support a culture focused on urgency, execution, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Injection molding

Engineering leadership

Tooling validation

Mold launch

Process troubleshooting

APQP/PPAP/IATF

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering degree preferred

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Engineering Manager | Plastics Manufacturing

Location: Greater Columbia, SC Area

A growing plastics manufacturer in the Columbia area is expanding operations and supporting continued growth across manufacturing and engineering operations.

The company is seeking a hands on Engineering Manager to lead Manufacturing Engineering efforts inside a fast paced injection molding environment supporting production and operational execution.

This is a high visibility plant leadership role for someone who understands molding operations, process troubleshooting, manufacturing execution, and how to build engineering structure inside a growing operation.

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

The business is entering a major growth phase and needs stronger engineering leadership to support plant expansion, operational readiness, and overall manufacturing execution.

The Engineering Manager will help strengthen technical capability, improve engineering systems and accountability, and support growth across molding and related manufacturing operations.

This is not a maintenance mode role. The environment is fast moving, highly cross functional, and heavily tied to production performance and execution.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

• Lead and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers supporting production operations
• Support injection molding process performance, operational readiness, and engineering execution
• Drive tooling validation, first shot activities, troubleshooting, and process improvement efforts
• Improve engineering structure, documentation, accountability, and cross functional communication
• Partner with tooling suppliers, operations, quality, and leadership teams to support production readiness
• Support expansion activities tied to new equipment, new programs, and increased production demand
• Help strengthen systems tied to APQP, PPAP, engineering changes, and customer requirements
• Support a culture focused on urgency, execution, and continuous improvement

WHAT STRONG CANDIDATES LOOK LIKE

• Strong hands on injection molding manufacturing experience
• Manufacturing engineering leadership experience
• Tooling validation, mold launch, and process troubleshooting capability
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, IATF, and structured manufacturing systems
• Comfortable leading inside fast paced production environments during periods of growth and change
• Strong floor presence and ability to work cross functionally with operations and engineering teams
• Engineering degree preferred, but strong equivalent experience will absolutely be considered

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• High impact leadership role inside a growing manufacturing operation
• Opportunity to help shape engineering structure and plant readiness during expansion
• Direct visibility with senior engineering and operations leadership
• Strong long term growth potential as the operation continues to scale
• Target compensation approximately $115K–$145K depending on experience

WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT

• Not a corporate only engineering management role
• Not ideal for someone looking for a low change or highly structured environment
• Not a pure maintenance or administrative management position