Job Overview
The Production Manager is responsible for leading all day-to-day manufacturing operations within a plastic injection molding facility. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of molded parts that meet customer quality requirements and delivery schedules. The Production Manager oversees personnel, equipment utilization, production planning execution, process discipline, continuous improvement, scrap reduction, and overall operational performance across molding, secondary operations, and related support functions.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily production activities for plastic injection molding operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
- Supervise and develop production supervisors, team leads, Process technicians, operators, and maintenance personnel.
- Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently, and customer demand is met on time and in full.
- Monitor machine utilization, cycle times, downtime, scrap, labor efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Drive improvements in molding productivity, process stability, and output performance.
- Coordinate with tooling, quality, engineering, materials, and planning teams to resolve production issues quickly.
- Ensure molds, machines, automation, and auxiliary equipment are available and operating effectively.
- Support setup reduction, changeover improvement, and process standardization efforts.
- Maintain compliance with all safety, environmental, and company operating procedures.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution on the production floor where needed.
- Lead root cause problem-solving for downtime, quality defects, scrap, missed schedules, and labor inefficiencies.
- Ensure proper staffing levels, training, and performance management across shifts.
- Support new product launches, mold trials, process validations, and capacity planning activities.
- Partner with quality to ensure adherence to customer specifications, control plans, work instructions, and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in budget management and cost control initiatives related to labor, overtime, scrap, regrind, maintenance, and consumables.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
- 5+ years of production leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 3+ years of experience in plastic injection molding required.
- Strong understanding of injection molding processes, tooling, resins, machine operations, process controls, and secondary operations.
- Experience leading teams in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
- Proven ability to manage KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, scrap, efficiency, and labor performance.
- Perform production line changeovers using Quick Mold Change (QMC) techniques or Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) to minimize downtime and improve efficiency.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, 5S, and root cause analysis tools.
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and production reporting.
- Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to lead across multiple shifts and functions.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with scientific molding principles.
- Familiarity with automation, robotics, hot runner systems, and auxiliary equipment.
- Experience in regulated or high-precision industries such as medical, automotive, or industrial components.
- Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement certification.
- Experience with ISO, IATF, or other applicable quality systems.
KEY PERFROMANCE INDICATORS:
- Safety incident rate
- On-time delivery
- Scrap and rework levels
- Machine uptime / OEE
- Labor efficiency
- Schedule attainment
- Changeover performance
- Customer complaints / internal defect rates
- Overtime and production cost control
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Manufacturing plant environment with regular exposure to production machinery, heat, noise, moving equipment, and industrial materials.
- Frequent walking on the production floor and interaction with multiple departments.
- May require flexibility in hours to support multiple shifts, urgent production issues, or customer demands.
Join us as a Production Manager to energize our manufacturing operations! Your expertise will be instrumental in driving productivity while ensuring the highest safety standards. Be part of a team that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous growth—where your leadership makes a real impact every day.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
