Position Summary
The Injection Molding Manager is responsible for the total lifecycle of the production assets. This role merges high-level technical expertise in injection molding processes with strategic maintenance leadership. The primary objective is to ensure 100% equipment readiness for daily schedule attainment while driving a culture of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to eliminate unplanned downtime.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership (Injection Molding)
- Oversee the setup, optimization, and troubleshooting of high-tonnage injection molding machines (e.g., Engel, Arburg, and integrated robotics).
- Lead the "Scientific Molding" approach to establish robust process windows (Decoupled Molding) for complex interior/kinematic components.
- Collaborate with Engineering on Mold Flow Analysis and Tool Design to ensure "Right First Time" tooling
Maintenance & Asset Management
- Develop and execute a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy, transitioning the department from reactive "firefighting" to world-class predictive maintenance.
- Manage the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) to track MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and MTTR (Mean Time To Repair).
- Oversee the Tool Room operations, ensuring injection molds are cleaned, inspected, and staged according to the production schedule.
Operational Excellence (OEE & Lean)
- Drive OEE improvements by identifying and eliminating the "Six Big Losses" in the molding process.
- Implement SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) techniques to reduce changeover times and increase facility flexibility.
- Manage the department budget, including spare parts inventory (MRO) and CAPEX projects for facility upgrades.
Launch & Project Integration
- Act as the technical lead for the Moldtecs business integration, ensuring all transferred assets are commissioned, leveled, and safety validated.
- Coordinate with EHS to ensure all machine guarding and LOTO procedures are strictly enforced during maintenance activities.
Required Qualifications
- Experience: 8–10 years of leadership in a high-volume Tier 1 Automotive molding environment.
- Technical Depth: Expert knowledge of hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic systems within injection molding cells.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or Plastics Engineering, or 15+ years of equivalent hands-on journeyman experience.
- Launch Experience: Proven track record of managing "Greenfield" or "Brownfield" equipment installations and SOP milestones.
Skills & Competencies
- Kinematic Knowledge: Experience with complex moving-part assemblies (interiors, consoles, or kinetic mechanisms).
- Leadership: Ability to mentor technicians and build a multi-skilled maintenance team (Mechanical/Electrical/PLC).
- Urgency: A "Plant-First" mindset with the ability to lead high-pressure troubleshooting during 24/7 operations.
Work Location: In person
