Project Manager - Plastic & Resin Sourcing

Dover Corp; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dover Corp in Downers Grove, IL seeks an experienced Project Manager with deep technical expertise in polymers and plastics processing to lead key sourcing and product development initiatives within our Plastic & Resin category.

You will bridge engineering, procurement, and external manufacturing partners—managing supplier transitions, tooling builds, resin qualification, and cost-reduction projects from concept through production ramp-up.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical industry experience).
• 5+ years of project management or engineering experience within plastics manufacturing, injection molding, or plastics category sourcing.
• Working knowledge of commodity/engineering resins, raw material limitations, and familiarity with injection molding equipment, tooling design, hot runner systems, and Scientific Molding principles.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex technical projects simultaneously, track milestones, and manage cross-functional stakeholder communications.
• Familiarity with resin market pricing mechanisms and standard plastics quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end category projects including tooling transfers, supplier dual-sourcing, resin substitutions, and new product introductions, ensuring deliverables on time and within budget.
• Evaluate injection molders and resin compounders on technical capability, press capacities, tooling maintenance standards, cycle times, and quality control systems.
• Partner with engineering teams to provide manufacturing and material optimization input during the design phase to improve production feasibility and reduce costs.
• Lead VA/VE initiatives, analyzing mold cavitation, cycle efficiency, regrind allowances, and raw material index pass-throughs (e.g., CDI, ICIS).
• Manage project timelines, risk matrices, and deliverables across Procurement, Quality, Plant Operations, and R&D.

Skills

Project management

Plastics processing

Vendor evaluation

Value engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with deep technical expertise in polymers and plastics processing to lead key sourcing and product development initiatives within our Plastic & Resin category. In this role, you will bridge the gap between engineering, procurement, and external manufacturing partners-managing supplier transitions, tool builds, resin qualification, and cost-reduction projects from concept through production ramp-up.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management & Execution: Lead end-to-end category projects (including tooling transfers, supplier dual-sourcing, resin substitutions, and new product introductions) ensuring all deliverables are met on time and within budget, while actively identifying and capturing proactive cost savings opportunities.
• Technical Sourcing & Evaluation: Evaluate injection molders and resin compounders on technical capability, press capacities, tooling maintenance standards, cycle times, and quality control systems.
• Design & Process Collaboration: Partner with engineering teams to provide manufacturing and material optimization input during the design phase to improve production feasibility and reduce costs.
• Cost Engineering & VA/VE: Lead Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives, analyzing mold cavitation, cycle efficiency, regrind allowances, and raw material index pass-throughs (e.g., CDI, ICIS).
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Manage project timelines, risk matrices, and deliverables across Procurement, Quality, Plant Operations, and R&D.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical industry experience).
• Experience: 5+ years of project management or engineering experience within plastics manufacturing, injection molding, or plastics category sourcing.
• Plastics Material & Process Expertise: Working knowledge of commodity/engineering resins, raw material limitations, and familiarity with injection molding equipment, tooling design, hot runner systems, and Scientific Molding principles.
• Project Management Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple complex technical projects simultaneously, track milestones, and manage cross-functional stakeholder communications.
• Industry Acumen: Familiarity with resin market pricing mechanisms and standard plastics quality standards.