Global Product Development Leader - Injection Molded Components

Spectrum Plastics Group; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum Plastics Group seeks a Global Technology Leader for Injection Molded Components to define and drive the technology strategy across our worldwide manufacturing network in the medical and healthcare space. This role is based in Minneapolis, MN and leads a team of engineers, collaborating with design, product management, and operations.

The leader will set the technology roadmap, champion process improvements, support new product development, and ensure FDA/ISO compliance while delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in injection molding, manufacturing technology, process engineering or related leadership roles.
• Experience leading global technical teams in regulated healthcare manufacturing.
• Deep expertise in injection molding, tooling, materials, validation, and scale-up.
• Knowledge of medical-grade polymers, cleanroom manufacturing, automation, and quality systems.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, ISO 13485, GMP in polymer CDMO space.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global technology roadmap for injection molded healthcare components.
• Identify emerging manufacturing technologies, materials, and automation to drive growth.
• Establish standards and governance across the global network.
• Lead customer development programs and transfer new products to manufacturing.
• Support DFx practices and risk management activities.
• Collaborate with product management to accelerate solutions.
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Build and lead a global team of engineers and technical specialists.
• Represent the company with strategic customers and industry partners.

Skills

Technology leadership

Global team leadership

Injection molding

Process engineering

Quality systems

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Global Technology Leader – Injection Molded Components is responsible for defining and executing the technology strategy for injection molded medical and healthcare components across the global manufacturing network.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Salary: $180,000.00 - $230,000.00

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute the global technology roadmap for injection molded healthcare components.
• Identify emerging manufacturing technologies, materials, automation solutions, and industry trends to support future business growth.
• Establish technical standards, best practices, and governance processes across the global manufacturing network.
• Drive technology differentiation and innovation to strengthen the company’s competitive position.

New Product Development and Commercialization

• Provide technical leadership for customer development programs and commercialization projects.
• Ensure successful transfer of new products from development into manufacturing.
• Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Quality (DFQ), Design for Cost (DFC), Design for Assembly (DFA), and risk management activities.
• Collaborate with Application Development and Product Management teams to accelerate customer solutions and growth opportunities.

Technical Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges affecting quality, delivery, or customer satisfaction.
• Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies to drive root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing sites.
• Develop technical knowledge-sharing and best-practice deployment processes.

Team Leadership and Capability Development

• Build and lead a global team of process engineers, manufacturing engineers, tooling experts, and technical specialists.
• Develop organizational capabilities in molding science, materials technology, tooling design, automation, and validation.
• Establish succession planning and technical talent development programs.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence.

Customer and External Engagement

• Serve as a senior technical representative with strategic customers and key industry partners.
• Support customer audits, technical reviews, and commercialization discussions.
• Build relationships with equipment suppliers, tooling partners, universities, and industry organizations.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and technical forums.
• Champion for Patient-First, Customer Centric culture embracing a bias for action, sense of urgency and foster clear, concise accountability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline required. Advanced degree Highly preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in injection molding, manufacturing technology, process engineering, or related technical leadership roles. 10+ years’ experience with advanced degree may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience leading global technical teams in a healthcare, medical device, life sciences, or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Deep expertise in injection molding processes, tooling, materials, validation, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience with medical-grade polymers, cleanroom manufacturing, automation, and quality systems preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, and other regulated manufacturing requirements preferably in polymer CDMO space.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic technology leadership
• Manufacturing and operational excellence
• Innovation and commercialization
• Customer-centric problem solving
• Global team leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change leadership
• Executive communication and influence

Success Metrics

• New product commercialization performance
• Manufacturing capability and yield improvement
• Quality and customer satisfaction metrics
• Technology roadmap execution
• Cost productivity and operational efficiency
• Technical talent development and engagement
• Innovation pipeline generation
• Global deployment of best practices