Tool Cleaner | 1st Shift

SMC Ltd; Somerset, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Clean, Climate-Controlled Environment

Paid holiday and PTO

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings

Life and disability insurance

Promotional opportunities

Training and career growth programs

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

SMC Ltd. is seeking a Tool Cleaner to support injection mold cleaning, maintenance, and assembly in a climate-controlled manufacturing setting.

You will help ensure mold readiness, equipment reliability, and production efficiency while following 5S and safety standards. The role involves handling mold components, operating cleaning equipment, documenting work, and collaborating with Toolmakers and tooling engineers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 1 year experience in plastics industry.
• Mechanical aptitude essential.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient Windows PC skills in a Windows environment.

Responsibilities

• Disassemble, clean, inspect, and reassemble injection molds per procedures.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on molds and components.
• Identify worn or missing mold components and report findings to Toolmakers/Tooling Engineers.
• Document mold conditions and completed work in company systems.
• Operate ultrasonic cleaners, dry ice blasting equipment, and other mold cleaning tools.
• Maintain mold identification, tagging, and tracking systems.
• Prepare molds for shipment to outside vendors and receive returned components.
• Transport molds safely between the Tool Room, molding departments, storage locations, and shipping areas.
• Maintain inventory levels of cleaning supplies, lubricants, and consumables.
• Assist Toolmakers with basic mold maintenance and assembly tasks.
• Keep work areas 5S compliant and clean.
• Follow safety, ISO, GMP, and OSHA requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives for mold maintenance efficiency.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Multi-tasking

Team player

Communication skills

Windows PC skills

Education

High school diploma / GED

Job description

SMC Ltd. is a global healthcare contract manufacturing partner serving the Medical Device, Diagnostics, Pharmaceutical, and Drug Delivery industries. With manufacturing locations across the United States, Costa Rica, India, and the United Kingdom, we help customers bring breakthrough healthcare products to market and scale them for commercial success.

Our expertise spans the entire product lifecycle, including design and engineering, thermoplastic and medical micro molding, liquid silicone injection molding (LIM), fill finish, combination devices, complete device assembly, validation, packaging and labeling, supply chain management, quality systems, and program management.

What sets SMC apart is our ability to combine world-class manufacturing capabilities with responsive, hands‑on partnerships. Our teams work directly with customers to solve complex challenges, accelerate innovation, and deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions to patients around the world.

Job Summary:

The Tool Cleaner is responsible for the cleaning, preventative maintenance, inspection, assembly, and organization of injection molds and mold components. This position plays a critical role in supporting mold readiness, equipment reliability, and overall manufacturing performance by ensuring molds are cleaned, maintained, and prepared for production in a safe and efficient manner.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Safely disassemble, clean, inspect, and reassemble injection molds according to established procedures.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on molds and mold components.
• Identify worn, damaged, or missing mold components and communicate findings to Toolmakers, Tooling Engineers, or Tool Room leadership.
• Document mold conditions, maintenance findings, and completed work within company systems.
• Operate ultrasonic cleaners, dry ice blasting equipment, and other approved mold cleaning equipment.
• Maintain mold identification, tagging, and tracking systems.
• Prepare molds and mold components for shipment to outside vendors and receive returned components.
• Transport molds safely between the Tool Room, molding departments, storage locations, and shipping areas using approved lifting and material handling equipment.
• Maintain inventory levels of cleaning supplies, lubricants, and consumable materials.
• Assist Toolmakers with basic mold maintenance and assembly activities as assigned.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and compliant with 5S standards.
• Follow all company safety policies, ISO procedures, GMP requirements, and OSHA regulations.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on mold maintenance efficiency, quality, and workplace organization.
• Identifies and labels configuration of mold components for proper assembly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

• A high school diploma / GED and a minimum of one year of experience in the plastics industry
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated team player with effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient PC skills in a Windows environment.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous Tool Room, mold maintenance experience.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to enter information into maintenance or ERP systems.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

ADA Requirements:

• Bend, squat, climb, grasp, reach, lift or otherwise move frequently for extended periods
• Lift, move or otherwise transfer up to 50 lbs. frequently, or more occasionally
• Walk, stand or otherwise move about continuously
• Exposure to machine shop physical hazards including chemicals which may require respiratory protection
• Typically sits, grasps items and performs keyboarding for occasional operation of a computer

What SMC has to offer?

• Clean, Climate-Controlled Environment
• Paid holiday and PTO
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings
• Life and disability insurance
• Promotional opportunities
• Training and career growth programs
• Employee Assistance Program

At SMC Ltd. we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

SMC Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V; this organization uses E-Verify.

Applicants may be subject to pre‑employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.