Overview
Set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot injection molding equipment used in the production of rigid closures, with or without in-mold labels.
Maintain safe and stable production within approved process conditions, identify and correct process-related defects, support mold and product changeovers, and escalate equipment, tooling, automation, or quality issues requiring specialized intervention.
Serve as the primary injection molding technical resource during the assigned shift.
Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to manufacturing excellence! We value proactive problem-solvers who thrive on continuous improvement and are eager to develop their skills in a vibrant industrial setting. This is a paid position that offers opportunities for growth within a supportive company culture focused on innovation and safety.
Key Responsibilities
Injection Molding Setup and Operation
· Set up, start, operate, stop, and monitor injection molding machines in accordance with approved setup sheets, work instructions, production schedules, and safety requirements.
· Verify the correct preparation of molds, raw materials, robots, dryers, temperature controllers, material handling systems, label-feeding systems, and other auxiliary equipment.
· Load and verify approved machine recipes and process parameters.
· Conduct production startups following mold, material, label, product, color, or recipe changes.
· Confirm that machine safety devices, mold protection settings, process conditions, and auxiliary equipment are functioning correctly before releasing the line for production.
Process Monitoring and Adjustment:
· Monitor process parameters, machine performance, cycle time, output, scrap, and process stability.
· Adjust process parameters within approved operating limits to maintain product quality and production performance.
· Identify process drift, abnormal machine behavior, and recurring process deviations.
· Record relevant parameter changes and escalate any adjustment required outside the approved process window.
Changeovers
· Perform or support mold, material, label, color, and product changeovers in accordance with approved procedures.
· Verify mold identification, utility connections, line clearance, material preparation, machine recipe, robot program, label setup, and auxiliary equipment configuration.
· Conduct startup trials and restore stable production within approved conditions.
· Obtain the required Quality approval before regular production release.
Process, Product, and IML Troubleshooting
· Diagnose and correct common injection molding defects affecting product appearance, dimensions, fit, sealing, functionality, and cavity-to-cavity consistency.
· Identify defects such as incomplete filling, flash, deformation, dimensional variation, gate defects, ejection marks, contamination, and recurring cavity-related variation.
· Identify IML defects, including missing, incorrect, doubled, misaligned, folded, damaged, poorly adhered, or visually non-conforming labels.
· Troubleshoot issues involving material feeding, process parameters, hot-runner performance, cooling, ejection, robotic handling, label feeding, positioning, static charging, presence detection, and cycle synchronization.
· Determine whether the probable cause is related to the process, material, mold, machine, robot, automation, label, or operating method.
· Restore stable production when the issue is within the position’s training and authorization.
· Escalate complex process, equipment, tooling, automation, or quality issues to the appropriate technical function.
Quality and Product Compliance
· Perform visual, dimensional, and functional checks in accordance with product specifications, control plans, and sampling requirements.
· Confirm product conformity during startups, changeovers, and regular production.
· Identify, segregate, and report non-conforming products.
· Stop or place production on hold when safety or product conformity cannot be ensured.
· Comply with food-grade manufacturing, hygiene, traceability, product safety, and quality requirements.
Equipment Care and Maintenance Support
· Conduct routine inspections of machines, molds, robots, label systems, and auxiliary equipment.
· Perform cleaning, lubrication, basic adjustments, and approved autonomous maintenance activities.
· Identify abnormal noise, vibration, leakage, temperature, wear, alarms, or equipment behavior.
· Support preventive maintenance and technical interventions.
· Do not perform specialized electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, automation, or tooling repairs unless trained and authorized.
Shift Technical Support
· Act as the primary injection molding technical resource during the assigned shift.
· Respond to startups, process interruptions, product defects, changeovers, and production instability.
· Determine whether production may continue, requires adjustment, must be placed on hold, or must be escalated.
· Provide a complete technical handover to the incoming shift.
· Support and coach Injection Molding Operators in machine operation, quality checks, process discipline, and standard procedures..
Safety, Documentation, and Continuous Improvement
· Follow all company safety procedures, including PPE and lockout/tagout requirements.
· Maintain accurate production, process, quality, downtime, intervention, and changeover records.
· Participate in root cause analysis, corrective actions, process trials, and continuous improvement activities.
· Support initiatives to reduce scrap, downtime, changeover time, and recurring defects.
· Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working area.
Soft Skills:
· Strong attention to detail and process discipline.
· Analytical and structured problem-solving mindset.
· Ability to make sound operational decisions under pressure.
· Effective communication and shift-handover skills.
· Strong sense of responsibility for safety, quality, equipment, and production continuity.
· Ability to work independently while recognizing when escalation is required.
· Flexibility to respond to changing production priorities and schedules.
· Ability to train, support, and guide less experienced operators.
· Collaborative attitude and flexibility regarding production priorities and schedules.
Technical Skills:
· Practical knowledge of injection molding machines, molds, thermoplastic materials, and production processes.
· Ability to set up, operate, monitor, and adjust injection molding equipment.
· Understanding of injection molding parameters and their impact on product quality and process stability.
· Ability to identify and troubleshoot common molding and IML-related defects.
· Familiarity with robots, dryers, temperature controllers, hot-runner systems, label-feeding systems, and material handling equipment.
· Strong mechanical aptitude and structured problem-solving skills.
· Ability to distinguish between process, material, mold, machine, automation, and label-related issues.
· Ability to read setup sheets, work instructions, control plans, technical specifications, and production documentation.
· Familiarity with quality checks, measurement tools, root cause analysis, and production data recording.
Candidate Requirements
· High school diploma or equivalent required.
· Technical education in plastics processing, injection molding, mechatronics, maintenance, or manufacturing is preferred.
· At least two to three years of hands-on injection molding experience preferred.
· Practical experience in machine setup, production startup, process adjustment, troubleshooting, and defect resolution.
· Experience with mold changes, robots, auxiliary equipment, and IML systems is valued.
· Ability to work independently as the primary injection molding technical resource during the assigned shift.
· Basic computer skills for production, process, quality, and maintenance-support records.
· Ability to complete the company’s technical training and internal qualification program.
· Availability to work 12 hour shifts.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- How many years of injection molding experience do you have?
Work Location: In person
