Molding- Injection Molding Machine Operator (Nights 7pm - 7am) Starting At $29.03/hr +$2/hr Differential

Poly Inc; Lee's Summit (MO); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Polytainers, a leading North American rigid plastic packaging manufacturer, seeks an Injection Molding – Machine Operator in Lee’s Summit, MO. The role supports safety, quality, and production targets on a continental night shift from 7 pm to 7 am.

Responsibilities include starting and stopping machines, troubleshooting, lockout/tagout, and maintaining molds, chutes, and data records. Requires high school diploma and six months in injection molding; English fluency is essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• At least six months experience in an injection molding environment.
• Certificate from plastics training facilities preferred.
• Fluent in English with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and strong troubleshooting skills; hydraulics knowledge helpful; injection molding operator experience.

Responsibilities

• Restart machine with preset parameters and manage schedule downtime.
• Respond to alarms and escalate if troubleshoot unsuccessful.
• Follow lockout/tagout during maintenance; ensure master setup is running.
• Perform basic cleaning and maintenance of molds, stackers, and chutes.
• Record process deviations and complete data sheets and line checklists.
• Perform color and resin changes, line clearance, and ensure first-pass quality.

Skills

English fluency

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Injection molding experience

Education

High school diploma/GED

Plastics training certificate

Job description

Injection Molding – Machine Operator

Location

Lee’s Summit, MO

Department

Molding

Pay rate

Starts at $29.03 /hrplus $2/hr night shift premium

Shift

Continental Night Shift 7 pm to 7 am

At Polytainers, we create packaging that helps protect the food products people enjoy every day. As a leading North American manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging, we combine innovation, operational excellence and strong customer partnerships to deliver quality products and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Across our teams and facilities, we work together with purpose, put our customers first and continuously look for better ways to work. We create an environment where people are encouraged to share their ideas, empowered to take action and are supported in their growth.

When you join Polytainers, you become part of a team that values accountability, collaboration and respect. Whatever your role—making our products, supporting our customers or improving how we work—your contribution matters. Together, we partner for success, win through teamwork and create packaging solutions for today and tomorrow.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Shift Supervisor and Process Technician, the Machine Operator is responsible for safety, quality and attainment of production for his assigned group of machines during the shift.

In order to achieve the above, it is the responsibility of the Machine Operator to ask for necessary support and help on a timely basis from the Process Technician or the Shift Supervisor so that he or she will have a successful shift.

POSITION RESPONSIBILTIES

Injection Molding Machine, Molds and Stacking Equipment

• Re-Start machine with machine parameters already set
• Shut-down machine for schedule down
• Operator to machine Ratio assigned by Supervisor
• Respond to Machine Alarms. Escalate to Process Technician within 15 minutes if troubleshooting is not successful
• Basic troubleshooting of defective parts and adjusting process accordingly
• Follow lockout / tag out procedure anytime maintenance work needs to be performed on the machine
• Always ensure the machine is running to the master set-up sheet
• Perform basic swing chute operation
• Report any cycle deviations to the supervisor/process tech

Cleaning and Basic Maintenance

• During the shift, production molds are cleaned following the cleaning schedule
• The stacking equipment is cleaned as per the checklist
• Clean the machine, platforms and surrounding areas clean of oil, parts and dirt
• Perform basic stacker maintenance and help troubleshoot for maintenance
• Clean swing chute and companion chute and perform basic troubleshooting of swing chute
• Clean drool every 3 hours from machine or as needed

Documentation

• Record running and deviations of machine process parameters in set-up sheet
• Complete the mold run data sheet
• Complete the stacker / mold checklist upon completion of cleaning and inspection
• Perform data entry operation in Mattec unit
• Complete metal contamination /PPMS /Mold cleaning sheets
• Complete outstanding ensur training documents
• Record any machine downtown on line inspection forms.

Processes and Policies

• Perform color change that would be no longer than 15-20 minutes
• Able to perform color change using liquid color unit
• Able to perform resin/material change. In the case of blended resin, perform mixing to get the resin blend
• Perform Line Clearance when there is a product change
• Perform front line quality by looking at parts as soon as they come off the machine
• Achieve shift attainment and escal...??
• Communicate quality issues and necessary information that would provide the next machine operator with success to achieve shift attainment
• Always comply with plant safety and SQF, use appropriate PPE while performing various duties
• Identify product at risk and elevate to Shift Supervisor
• Participate in continuous improvement projects
• Identify and involve in drool/purge reduction initiative
• Escalate process change to Process Technician

SKILLS / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Minimum Experience/Field: At least six months experience in an injection molding environment
• Courses Required: Certificate from plastics training facilities preferred
• Computer Skills: N/A
• Additional Certificates/Diplomas: N/A
• Licenses/Permits Required: N/A
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long periods of time. Ability to reach above shoulder height and below waistline.
• Communication Skills: Fluent in English with good verbal and written communication skills
• Additional Education/Experience/Skills: Mechanical aptitude and strong troubleshooting skills. Knowledge of hydraulics preferred. Injection molding machine operator experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR THIS POSITION:

• Ability to anticipate and handle challenging situations effectively, seeking input and involving others when possible
• Ability to effectively troubleshoot and fix basic injection molding machine issues that result in quality or safety issues.
• Consistently uses good judgement while decision making, analyzes problems from different angles to seek alternatives before determining best solutions
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency, assuming responsibility without being asked in order to achieve results.
• Appropriately follow all lockout tagout and safety procedures.