Plant Manager

KLA Industries, Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Industries, Inc. is seeking an Injection Molding Plant Manager in Michigan to lead manufacturing operations, drive performance, quality, and on-time delivery.

This role requires hands-on leadership on the shop floor, cross-functional collaboration, and a strong focus on Lean manufacturing practices to optimize cycle times and reduce waste. The ideal candidate will manage production schedules, champion continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with medical device regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing operations in an injection molding environment.
• Strong leadership of manufacturing teams including supervision, engineers, and technicians.
• Familiarity with ISO 13485, FDA, GMP, GDP documentation in medical device manufacturing.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for plant manufacturing operations to meet production schedules and quality targets.
• Spend substantial time on the production floor with supervisors, technicians, and engineers to identify opportunities and resolve issues.
• Oversee daily production activities to ensure schedules, cycle times, and resource alignment meet customer demand and on-time delivery.
• Champion Lean, 5S, and problem-solving to improve performance and reduce waste.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with quality systems and regulatory requirements (ISO 13485, FDA, GMP, GDP).

Skills

Injection molding

Lean manufacturing

Regulatory compliance

5S

Leadership

Team leadership

Continuous improvement

Cycle time optimization

Job description

Injection Molding Plant Manager- MI

Company: My client is a precision injection molding manufacturer specializing in components and assemblies for the medical device, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and surgical markets and provides innovative, high-quality manufacturing solutions supporting customers from prototype development through full-scale production.

With a strong focus on precision manufacturing, advanced technologies, and quality-driven processes, they operate in a highly regulated environment where consistency, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence are critical. The organization is committed to investing in its people, technology, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting the development of products that advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

Your Unique Role with the Organization: Step into a highly visible leadership position where you will oversee manufacturing operations, driving operational performance, customer satisfaction, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will:

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant manufacturing operations, ensuring production schedules, customer commitments, product quality, and operational objectives are consistently achieved.
• Take a hands-on approach to manufacturing leadership, spending significant time on the production floor working directly with supervisors, process technicians, engineers, and production personnel to identify opportunities, resolve issues, and improve overall performance.
• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring manufacturing schedules are executed effectively, cycle times are achieved, and resources are properly aligned to meet customer demand and on-time delivery expectations.
• Drive manufacturing performance through improved efficiencies, reduced scrap and waste, optimized cycle times, and strong gross margin performance. Identify opportunities to leverage automation, collaborative robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes operate in compliance with applicable quality systems, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications, including ISO 13485, FDA, GMP, and GDP requirements.
• Partner closely with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and other functional leaders to support new product introductions, mold sampling, process development, validation activities, and successful transitions from development into production.
• Develop and lead a strong manufacturing team, providing direction, accountability, training, and leadership development while establishing a culture focused on safety, teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and structured problem-solving initiatives to improve manufacturing performance, eliminate waste, and establish repeatable, reliable production processes.
• Ensure appropriate manufacturing systems, documentation, and controls are in place to support medical molding and assembly operations, including batch history records, device history records, work instructions, and process documentation.

What We're Looking For:

• Previous experience leading manufacturing operations within an injection molding environment, ideally supporting medical device, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, or other highly regulated markets
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing manufacturing teams, including production supervisors, process technicians, engineers, mold setters, and other manufacturing personnel.
• Strong understanding of plastic injection molding processes, including mold sampling, process development, troubleshooting, cycle time optimization, and high-volume production.
• Experience working within an ISO 13485 quality system, with an understanding of FDA regulations, GMP, GDP, and the documentation requirements associated with medical device manufacturing.
• Previous experience managing manufacturing operations within a cleanroom environment, ideally Class 8 or better, along with familiarity with batch history records (BHR) and device history records (DHR).
• A proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives, improving production efficiencies, reducing scrap, and optimizing overall manufacturing performance.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to develop teams, establish accountability, resolve manufacturing challenges, and work collaboratively across multiple departments