Off Shift Process Technician

Stone-Plastics-and-Manufacturing; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Stone Plastics and Manufacturing is seeking a Process Technician – Off Shift to ensure presses run safely and within validated processes during second, third shifts, and weekends. You will be the on-floor process authority when engineering support is unavailable, maintaining part quality from the start to the end of each shift.

The role emphasizes responding to alarms, analyzing process data, and coordinating with Quality, Tooling, and Maintenance to keep presses and peripheral equipment running

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or technical certificate in Plastics, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of hands-on injection molding process or setup experience in plastics manufacturing.
• Training in RJG Systematic Molding or Master Molder a strong plus.
• Experience performing mold changes, startups, and setups on injection molding machines and hot runner systems.
• Knowledge of material handling and drying requirements for engineering resins.
• Ability to read part prints and process sheets; basic measurement tools.
• Systematic troubleshooting skills; ability to know when to escalate to engineering.
• Willingness to work second shift, third shift, weekends, and overtime as required.
• Leadership mindset: self-starter, able to work with minimal direction.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and troubleshoot molding processes at the press to maintain quality and output.
• Drive production efficiency during off shifts by optimizing cycle times, reducing scrap, and minimizing press downtime within the validated process window.
• Respond to process, quality, and equipment issues during off shifts, escalating and communicating clearly to all production support groups.

Skills

Injection molding

Process troubleshooting

Mold setup

Reading part prints

Quality inspection

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree or technical certificate in plastics/manufacturing

Tools

RJG Systematic Molding

Master Molder

Job description

We are looking for an off shift (hours flexible) Process Technician.

Values, Behaviors and Beliefs

• Trust
• Integrity
• Respect
• Excellence
• Sustainability (Perseverance)

Purpose Statement (Why)

The purpose of the Process Technician – Off Shift is to ensure that every press runs safely, capably, and to the validated process when engineering support is not on site. This role is the process authority on the floor during off shifts, keeping production stable, solving problems at the press, and protecting part quality from the first shot of the shift to the last. By running to standard and resolving issues quickly and correctly, the Process Technician – Off Shift protects the organization's commitment to excellence around the clock.

Primary Functions (What)

• Monitor and troubleshoot molding processes at the press to maintain quality and output
• Drive production efficiency during off shifts by optimizing cycle times, reducing scrap, and minimizing press downtime within the validated process window
• Respond to process, quality, and equipment issues during off shifts, escalating and communicating clearly to all production support groups

What Success Looks Like (How

The Process Technician – Off Shift is responsible for keeping the molding operation running to its validated processes during second and third shifts and weekends. The primary objective of this role is to deliver good parts at rate, with minimal downtime and scrap, while Process Engineering is off site.

The Process Technician – Off Shift drives production efficiency across the floor during the shift. This includes tracking press performance against standard cycle times and output, identifying presses that are running slow, generating scrap, or experiencing repeated stoppages, and taking action within the validated process window to recover rate and quality. This role keeps presses and peripheral equipment (dryers, temperature controllers, hot runner controls, robotics, and conveyors) running at their best, and verifies part quality with Quality and Production after any process adjustment.

The Process Technician – Off Shift owns process stability on the floor during the shift. This includes monitoring process parameters, responding to alarms and quality concerns, and using systematic troubleshooting to identify whether an issue is caused by the process, the material, the mold, or the equipment. Process adjustments stay within the established process window; when a change outside the window is needed, this role escalates to Process Engineering rather than working around the standard.

This role works closely with Production, Quality, Tooling, and Maintenance to contain and resolve issues as they occur. The Process Technician – Off Shift documents what happened, what was done, and what remains open, and communicates it through a clear shift handoff so that day-shift engineering and the next shift can act on it.

Success in this role means every shift runs as well as day shift. A successful Process Technician – Off Shift keeps presses running to standard, resolves problems correctly the first time, and leaves the floor and the documentation in better condition than they found it.

Desired Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree or technical certificate in Plastics, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred
• 3+ years of hands-on injection molding process or setup experience in a plastics manufacturing facility
• Scientific / decoupled molding training (RJG Systematic Molding, Master Molder, or equivalent) a strong plus
• Experience performing mold changes, startups, and setups on injection molding machines, hot runner systems, and auxiliary equipment
• Working knowledge of material handling and drying requirements for engineering resins
• Ability to read part prints and process sheets and use basic measuring instruments
• Systematic troubleshooting experience, with the judgment to know when to eliminate
• Tooling knowledge a plus
• Willingness and ability to work second shift, third shift, weekends, and overtime as required
• Leadership style: self-starter, able to work with little direction and a high level of self-motivation
• Proficiency in and the ability to model and implement the following concepts: empowerment and teamwork; standardized work; problem solving; quality improvement tools; reduction in lead time, set-up time, and scrap
• Provide appropriate mentoring and coaching to operators and production associates as it relates to Plastics Process, Quality, and Safety

Physical Demands

Various physical activities involved in product production processing and/or working with equipment. Typically a hands-on job, with most of the time on the production floor. Involves standing and walking most of the day, and assisting with mold changes using cranes and lifting equipment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Environment

Approximately 5 percent office and 95 percent production floor.