Process Engineer

Plasticade; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Plasticade in Elk Grove Village, IL, seeks a hands-on Production Lead for extrusion blow molding operations. You will lead daily molding, supervise technicians, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency on the line. Requires 3–5+ years of blow molding experience, strong troubleshooting, and proven leadership.

You will mentor staff and partner with engineering, maintenance, and quality to improve processes. The role offers $110,000–$140,000 annually with room for growth in a safety-focused,

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of extrusion blow molding experience required.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
• Proven leadership ability with experience supervising or mentoring employees.
• Ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily molding operations, ensuring safe, efficient, & quality-focused production performance
• Supervise, train, & mentor process technicians to build team capability & accountability
• Troubleshoot & resolve machine, process, & product issues to minimize downtime & defects
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including cycle time, scrap, & material usage reduction
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, & quality teams to resolve issues & improve processes
• Perform & support startups, shutdowns, changeovers, & process validations
• Monitor production metrics (weight, flash, thickness, scrap) & implement corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, company policies, & proper use of PPE

Skills

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Communication

Bilingual Spanish/English

Data analysis

ERP experience

Forklift certification

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead daily molding operations, ensuring safe, efficient, & quality-focused production performance
• Supervise, train, & mentor process technicians to build team capability & accountability
• Troubleshoot & resolve machine, process, & product issues to minimize downtime & defects
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including cycle time, scrap, & material usage reduction
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, & quality teams to resolve issues & improve processes
• Perform & support startups, shutdowns, changeovers, & process validations
• Monitor production metrics (weight, flash, thickness, scrap) & implement corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, company policies, & proper use of PPE

POSITION REQUIRMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 3–5+ years of extrusion blow molding experience required (injection or profile extrusion a plus)
• Strong troubleshooting skills in hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems
• Proven leadership ability with experience supervising or mentoring employees
• Ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office); ERP experience preferred
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools
• Experience with process optimization and documentation best practices
• Familiarity with mold maintenance, design considerations, and process validation
• Ability to analyze data and drive performance improvements

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to spend 90% of the day working or standing
• Ability to lift 50lbs. and move heavy items with the use of a crane or forklift and able to safely climb and move around machinery
• Frequent presence in non-climate-controlled, high-noise production & warehouse areas where appropriate PPE must be worn
• Pay: $110,000 - $140,000

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee and may be revised at any time by the Company.