Plastics Manufacturing Engineer

Kids for the Future; Shippensburg (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing

Annual ESOP stock

Job summary

Kids for the Future is seeking a Plastics Management Engineer trainee to prepare high-potential candidates for future leadership roles within our plastics manufacturing operations. This hands-on program provides exposure to safety, quality, production, inventory management, and team leadership under experienced plant managers.

The role involves rotating through production, safety, logistics, and quality; monitoring operations, analyzing performance data, and supporting continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; 1–3 years of manufacturing/industrial experience preferred.
• Willingness to relocate to VA or FL and travel up to 50% during training.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving capabilities; proficient in MS Office; ERP familiarity a plus.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured, rotational training program across plant operations including production, safety, logistics, and quality control.
• Assist in monitoring daily operations to ensure compliance with standards and goals.
• Learn to analyze plant performance data and participate in continuous improvement projects.
• Shadow supervisors to develop team leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Support development and implementation of standard operating procedures for efficiency and quality.
• Gain exposure to inventory control, scheduling, and process documentation.

Skills

Leadership interest

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

MS Office

ERP familiarity

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

• Location 34 Strohm Road,Shippensburg, PA, 17257,United States
• Base Pay $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 / Year
• Other Compensation Profit-Sharing Bonus + Annual Stock (ESOP)
• Relocation Expense Covered No

Contact information

• Name Kyle Moser
• Phone [phone]

Job Summary

The Plastics Management Engineer position is designed to prepare high-potential candidates for future leadership roles within our plastics manufacturing operations. This hands-on training role will provide comprehensive exposure to all facets of plant operations, including safety, quality, production, inventory management, and team leadership. Under the direct mentorship of experienced plant managers, the Trainee will learn the core competencies necessary to successfully lead teams and manage operational processes in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured, rotational training program across key areas of plant operations including production, safety, logistics, and quality control.
• Assist in monitoring daily manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with company standards and production goals.
• Learn to analyze plant performance data, identify improvement opportunities, and participate in continuous improvement projects.
• Shadow experienced supervisors and managers to learn effective team leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution techniques.
• Support the development and implementation of operational procedures that promote efficiency, safety, and product quality.
• Gain experience in inventory control, scheduling, resource allocation, and process documentation.
• Participate in training programs on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, safety compliance, and leadership development.
• Assist with coordination and follow-up on maintenance, downtime tracking, and equipment performance monitoring.
• Attend regular team meetings and provide support for plant initiatives, audits, and performance reviews.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong interest in leadership and operations management within a plastics or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to work various shifts to gain comprehensive exposure to a 24/7 production schedule.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with ERP systems is a plus.
• Self-motivated with a desire to learn, grow, and eventually move into a leadership role.
• Must be able to travel up to 10–15% as part of training and development.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1 - 3 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting preferred (internships, co-ops, or full-time roles).

Physical Requirements

• Must be willing to relocate to one of our plants located in VA or FL.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• Work is performed in a standard office environment. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• May occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, and extreme noise when visiting plant locations.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug test and a financial and motor vehicle background check.

The base salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000/year.