Operations - Technical Manager

Polytainers Inc.; Lee's Summit (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Polytainers Inc. seeks a Molding Technical Manager to lead the molding technical staff and maintenance supervisors, ensuring process capability, reliability, and quality to meet targets. You will drive food safety and quality programs aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities include tooling leadership, maintenance strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize cycle times and reduce defects while advancing automation and digital initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressive leadership in a fast-paced Lean manufacturing environment.
• 3–5 years in a technical leadership role within molding or related operations.
• Experience with automation, tooling management, and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide directions to technical staff and maintenance supervisors to meet targets.
• Lead molding process capability, reliability, and product quality initiatives.
• Oversee tooling, mold engineering, and automation projects for high-cycle molds.
• Drive safety, HACCP, and regulatory compliance across operations.
• Coach technicians and engineers; translate technical issues for other functions.

Skills

Thin wall molding

High-speed molding

Maintenance leadership

Automation & robotics

Continuous improvement

Root cause analysis

Safety & compliance

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Engineering or Business degree

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Molding Technical Manager will provide directions to the technical staff and maintenance supervisors as well as provide technical leadership to ensure that Molding processes have the capability and reliability to meet performance requirements to enable the department to achieve its targets. This position is also responsible for food safety and quality procedures to ensure that the Company’s objectives for food safety and quality meet or exceed customer’s and regulatory agency’s requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Molding Technical Manager will provide directions to the technical staff and maintenance supervisors as well as provide technical leadership to ensure that Molding processes have the capability and reliability to meet performance requirements to enable the department to achieve its targets. This position is also responsible for food safety and quality procedures to ensure that the Company’s objectives for food safety and quality meet or exceed customer’s and regulatory agency’s requirements.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES:

• Thin Wall Injection Molding Core Expertise:
  • Deep understanding of high-speed thin wall molding (IML / non-IML)
  • Process window control: fill speed, pack/hold, venting, shear, cooling
  • Mold-machine-material interaction (press rigidity, clamp force, tie-bar stretch)
  • Resin knowledge (PP grades, regrind effects)
  • Cycle time optimization without sacrificing part quality
  • Root cause analysis for short shots, warp, splay, burn, and cosmetic defects
  • Scientific molding & process validation mindset
• Tooling & Mold Engineering Leadership:
  • Mold design fundamentals:
  • Hot runners (valve gate vs thermal)
  • Stack molds, multi-cavity balance
  • Venting strategy critical for thin wall
  • Tool qualification & transfer management
  • PM strategy for high-cycle molds (millions of shots)
  • Tool life management & spare strategy
  • Tool repair vs redesign decision making
  • Vendor management (tool shops, hot runner suppliers)
  • Design for maintainability & uptime
• Maintenance & Reliability Engineering:
  • Maintenance strategy ownership:
  • Preventive vs Predictive vs Run-to-Failure
  • CMMS leadership (data-driven decisions)
  • Press, robot, and auxiliary equipment reliability
  • Spare parts strategy (critical spares, obsolescence risk)
  • Troubleshooting at system level (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic)
  • Maintenance skills development & certification
• Automation & Robotics Expertise:
  • High-speed part handling robotics (IML robots, side entry, top entry)
  • End-of-arm tooling design for thin wall parts
  • Vision systems for quality & orientation
  • Conveyance, stacking, counting, and downstream integration
  • Automation safety standards (lockout, guarding, risk assessments)
  • Automation ROI evaluation & business cases
  • Integration of automation with molding cycle optimization
• Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction:
  • Drives performance in safety, quality, uptime, and continuous improvement; sets high standards and holds self and team accountable for outcomes
  • OEE breakdown (availability, performance, quality)
  • Scrap reduction & regrind optimization
  • Energy efficiency in high-speed molding
  • Cycle time reduction methodology (tenths of seconds matter)
  • Structured problem solving (A3, DMAIC, 8D, fishbone, 5 why)
  • Standard work for technicians & setters
• Cross-Functional Leadership:
  • Builds strong technical teams through coaching, feedback, and succession planning; develops bench strength and elevates overall technical capability.
  • Partners cross-functionally, communicates with clarity under pressure, and models a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement
  • Leading tooling, maintenance, and automation teams
  • Coaching senior technicians and engineers
  • Translating technical issues for Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain
  • Prioritization during downtime events
  • Calm leadership under production pressure
• Safety, Quality, & Compliance:
  • Machine safety & robot cell compliance
  • GP-12 / containment processes
  • PFMEA & control plans (process and tooling focused)
  • Change management for molds and automation
  • Documentation discipline (not tribal knowledge)
• Strategic & Forward-Looking Skills:
  • Aligns technical and maintenance strategy with plant performance, cost, capacity, and long-term operational objectives. Makes data-driven decisions that strengthen business results.
  • Long-term tooling and automation roadmap
  • Capacity & technology planning
  • Leads capital projects, process improvements, and technology upgrades with discipline; embeds structured problem-solving and sustains gains through standardization
  • New technology evaluation (digital PM, sensors, MES tie-ins, AI)
• Always comply with plant safety and HACCP, using appropriate PPE while performing various duties
• Must follow food safety and cGMP processes and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Strategic Leadership

• Translates business goals into clear technical and maintenance priorities that drive plant performance
• Balances short-term production needs with long-term capability building (equipment, people, systems)
• Anticipates risks and proactively develops mitigation plans (capacity, tooling, reliability)

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Builds high-performing technical teams through coaching, feedback, and accountability
• Develops bench strength through structured training, mentoring, and succession planning
• Sets clear expectations and holds team members accountable to performance and behavioral standards
• Actively manages performance, addressing gaps promptly and constructively

Ownership & Accountability

• Takes full ownership for technical performance (uptime, scrap, cycle time, reliability)
• Uses data to drive decisions and holds self and team accountable for measurable outcomes
• Demonstrates a bias for action and follows through on commitments

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Leads structured problem solving using A3, DMAIC, 8D, and root cause methodologies
• Makes timely, fact-based decisions, especially under pressure
• Challenges assumptions and drives to root cause rather than quick fixes

Communication & Influence

• Communicates clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization
• Translates complex technical issues into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders
• Influences cross-functional teams to align on priorities and drive execution

Change Leadership

• Leads and sustains change initiatives (process improvements, new technologies, systems)
• Builds team buy-in and minimizes resistance through clear communication and involvement
• Ensures standardization and sustainment of improvements

Continuous Improvement Mindset

• Champions a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Encourages innovation and challenges the status quo
• Embeds standard work and drives consistency across shifts and teams

Composure & Leadership Under Pressure

• Maintains focus and composure during downtime, quality issues, or production crises
• Provides clear direction and prioritization in high-pressure situations
• Acts as a stabilizing leader for the team

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Educational Requirements: Post-secondary degree or diploma, preferably in Engineering or Business or equivalent.
• Minimum Experience/Field: Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in a fast-paced, high-volume Lean Manufacturing environment with 3-5 years in technical leadership role. Proven track record in leading change, ability to deliver results, and ability to effectively coach, manage and support Team Members.
• Strong knowledge and experience in manufacturing operations, automation and molding technical. Molding Maintenance knowledge a plus.
• Computer Skills: Good PC skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Physical Requirements: This job requires both office and plant exposure with considerable time spent on shop floor exposed to a noisy environment
• Communication Skills: A skilled influencer with strong ability to positively impact desired behaviors. Fluent in English with good verbal and written communication skills
• Additional Education/Experience/Skills: Ability to effectively coach, positively influence and support Team Members

Polytainers is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Polytainers is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. Polytainers is also committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.