Lead Technician, Plastic and Rubber Injection Molding

Cross Technology Inc.; East Bend (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation

PTO

Healthcare

401k available after 90 days

Job summary

A manufacturing company in East Bend, North Carolina, is seeking an experienced Plastic and Rubber Injection Molding Lead Technician to oversee the injection molding process for plastic and rubber products. This role involves leading day-to-day operations, ensuring product quality, and optimizing production efficiency while actively performing machine setup and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in injection molding and strong leadership skills. Benefits include paid vacation and healthcare.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in plastic and/or rubber injection molding operations.
• At least 2 years in a leadership role supervising production.
• Strong understanding of injection molding processes, equipment, and materials.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations in the injection molding process.
• Troubleshoot complex molding issues and implement corrective actions.
• Supervise, train, and mentor a team of operators and technicians.
• Monitor product quality and implement strict quality control procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and mentor a team of operators, technicians, and mold maintenance staff.
• Foster a collaborative and safety-conscious work environment.
• Quality Control: Monitor product quality and ensure all products meet standards; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Process Optimization: Continuous improvement of manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs; monitor KPIs.
• Customer Service: Interact with customers to meet SLAs and communicate information promptly.
• Equipment and Maintenance: Oversee maintenance of molding machines and tools; ensure preventive maintenance schedules.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations; promote safety culture.
• Collaboration and Reporting: Work with engineering and other departments to meet production requirements and create succession plans.

Skills

Leadership skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Familiarity with industry software

Data analysis

Education

Technical certification or degree in engineering or related field

Relevant certifications in Injection Molding

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Plastic and Rubber Injection Molding Lead Technician to oversee the injection molding process for plastic and rubber products. This position will lead day-to-day operations, ensuring product quality, optimizing production efficiency while actively performing machine setup, troubleshooting and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Production Oversight:
  • Day-to-day, hands-on, involvement in the production environment.
  • Perform advanced set up, mold changes and start up rubber and plastic injection molding machines
  • Ensure that production schedules are met, and that output aligns with customer requirements.
  • Troubleshoot complex molding issues/defects (flash, short shots, sink marks, burns, warping, and air traps) and implement corrective actions as needed to minimize downtime.
• Monitor and assist with Tool samples of new & existing molds
• Team Leadership:
  • Supervise, train, and mentor a team of operators, technicians, and mold maintenance staff.
  • Foster a collaborative and safety-conscious work environment.
• Quality Control:
  • Monitor product quality and ensure that all products meet specified standards.
  • Implement and enforce strict quality control procedures, including inspections and testing.
  • Lead root cause analysis for any quality issues and develop corrective actions.
• Process Optimization:
  • Continuous improvement of manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle times, yield rates, and downtime.
• Customer Service:
  • Interact with customers as needed to ensure SLAs are being adhered to and all relevant information is communicated as needed to customers in a timely manner in accordance with their expectations.
• Equipment and Maintenance:
  • Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of molding machines, tools, and other equipment.
  • Ensure that molds are properly maintained and that preventative maintenance schedules are followed.
  • Work with the maintenance team to ensure minimal equipment downtime.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations within the molding department.
  • Conduct regular safety audits and ensure that safety protocols are followed by all team members.
  • Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration and Reporting:
  • Work closely on training with existing departments and leadership to create a strong succession plan for the company.
  • Work closely with engineering, product development, and other departments to ensure production requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Technical certification or degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field (preferred, not required)
  • Relevant certifications in Injection Molding (e.g., scientific molding, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus, but not required if the knowledge base is strong based on industry experience.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years of experience in plastic and/or rubber injection molding operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership role supervising production.
  • Strong understanding of injection molding processes, equipment, and materials.
  • Experience with process optimization, quality control, and troubleshooting.
• Skills:
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Familiarity with industry software and data analysis tools.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with customers on a routine basis.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility with exposure to machinery and equipment.
• Adherence to safety protocols is always required.

Salary

• Competitive, based on experience.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation, PTO, healthcare, 401k available after 90 days

Please send inquiries to Cross Technology, Inc HR Specialist – [e-mail]

Plant Manager – [e-mail]