Injection Molding Operations Lead

PPI Injction Molding; Tipp City (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Proto Plastics, based in Tipp City, Ohio, is a premier custom injection molder focused on continuous improvement and meeting customer expectations. The role leads the molding team, oversees operators, set-up techs, and process techs to hit safety, quality, and schedule goals.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years supervising in manufacturing and in injection molding, with Lean Manufacturing experience and a data-driven mindset.

Qualifications

• 3+ years supervising in a manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years in injection molding processes, equipment, and materials.
• Lean Manufacturing experience and multi-product environments.
• Ability to read SOPs, safety rules, and maintenance guides.

Responsibilities

• Set the tone for safety, quality, and pace; supervise and mentor the molding team.
• Direct and support molding operators, material handlers, mold set-up techs, and process techs.
• Champion Lean Management; eliminate waste and reduce cycle times.
• Translate floor observations into actionable improvements for the core team.
• Recruit, interview, coach, and address performance issues while maintaining morale.
• Deliver targeted training for operators and process techs.
• Collaborate with Quality, CSR, Tooling, Processing, Engineering, and Maintenance to resolve issues.
• Use IQMS to manage job activities, materials, and performance.

Skills

Team leadership

Injection molding

Lean manufacturing

Data-driven decisions

IQMS

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About Proto PlasticsProto Plastics, based in Tipp City, Ohio, is a premier custom injection molder with more than half a century of experience. Our culture is built on continuous improvement and a relentless focus on exceeding customer expectations.What a Day Looks LikeYou start your shift by walking the molding floor, coaching operators, material handlers, and process techs. A job change is underway—you verify the scientific molding parameters, fine-tune a hot runner with valve gates, and confirm the 2-stage injection profile on a horizontal press with multiple core pulls. Before lunch, you sync with Engineering to lock in the latest process specification changes. In the afternoon, you review real-time performance in IQMS, remove bottlenecks to hit cycle-time targets, and huddle with Quality, CSR’s, Tooling, Processing, and Maintenance to close out a customer concern and embed preventive actions. You finish by planning tomorrow’s training and CI blitz.How You LeadSet the tone for safety, quality, and pace—supervise and mentor the molding team by example.Direct and support molding operators, material handlers, mold set-up technicians, and process technicians to meet schedule and quality goals.Drive technical excellence: 3-axis robotics; 2-stage and 3-stage injection processes; horizontal presses with multi core-pull/multi-cavity tools; hot runner systems (hot drop and valve gate); material handling (color feeders, hoppers, Gaylord tippers, dryers); and auxiliary equipment (thermolators, chillers, hot runner controls).Champion Lean Management—eliminate waste, reduce variation, and compress cycle times.Translate floor-level observations into actionable improvements; bring insights to the core operating team to resolve production issues quickly.Recruit, interview, coach, and, when necessary, address performance issues while keeping morale strong.Deliver targeted training for operators, materials handlers, set-up techs, and process techs.Identify undocumented or missing processes and close gaps with robust methods and controls.Partner cross-functionally (Quality, CSR’s, Tooling, Processing, Engineering, Maintenance) to resolve customer issues and prevent recurrence.Use IQMS (MRP) to manage job activities, materials, and performance.Pitch in wherever needed to ensure team and company success.What You BringHands-on knowledge of manufacturing equipment, molding processes, systems, and tools.MRP literacy (IQMS preferred) and the ability to translate data into action.Calm, structured problem-solving—troubleshoot, decide, and follow through.Lean thinking and a habit of continuous improvement.Ability to execute instructions delivered in written, verbal, or schedule formats.Experience with process capability studies and scientific molding.Build and document robust molding processes for new product launches.Data-driven mindset; analyze and use information to solve problems.Proven leadership: hire, train, assign work, direct, coach, and motivate.Comfort reading SOPs, safety rules, maintenance guides, and procedures.Working knowledge of core HR-related managerial practices.Strong written and verbal communication.Applied math skills: ratios, percentages, discounts, area, circumference, volume; basic algebra and geometry.Team-first mentality with accountability for results.Sharp time management—separate urgent from important, prioritize, and multi-task.Fluency with database, internet, inventory software, and MS Office.Dependable, self-motivated, and effective with minimal supervision.Adaptable and versatile in changing conditions.Safety and security conscious.Professional presence—lead with clarity, optimism, and respect.Experience3+ years supervising in a manufacturing environment.3+ years in injection molding processes, equipment, and materials (or equivalent training).Background with Lean Manufacturing and multi-product environments.Physical DemandsSit at a computer workstation for extended periods.Type and use a mouse; reach frequently.Stand, walk, kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl as needed on the floor.Reach, grasp, and handle components and tools.Lift or move up to 30 lbs.Vision: close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception.ProficiencyInjection molding expertise.Injection mold set-up and processing experience.Accommodation Notices (Verbatim)**Essential Job Functions:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.**Required Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.**Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.