SUMMARY: The Lead Mold Maker will oversee tool room operations supporting the manufacturing of rigid plastic containers. This role is responsible for leading repairs, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure high-performing, production-ready tooling. The Lead Mold Maker will serve as the technical expert within the tool room, mentoring otherswhile partnering closely with Tool Room Manager and supporting production needs to optimize mold performance and reduce downtime.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may be assigned
Tooling Leadership & Oversight
· Lead daily tool room operations, prioritizing change overs, repairs, and preventative maintenance activities.
· Provide hands-on technical leadership for complex mold troubleshooting and repair.
· Mentor and develop tool room personnel.
· Establish best practices for mold repair, preventative maintenance, and documentation.
· Order and stock necessary parts for tooling and departmental needs
· Work with outside vendors for service needs as needed
Mold Build & Repair
· Build, modify, and repair injection and/or blow molds for plastic container production.
· Perform precision machining including milling, grinding, EDM, polishing, and fitting.
· Diagnose root causes of mold performance issues such as flash, short shots, dimensional variation, cosmetic defects, and tool damage
· Ability to diagnose issues across a variety of manifold heating system types and perform the necessary repairs to restore units to service
· Ability to use CAD/CAM software in a toolroom environment (Solidworks, and MasterCAM) to interpret mold geometry and programming needs for repairs or new build.
· Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic workings to service items as it relates to tooling
· Basic electrical knowledge as it relates to tooling
· Support mold sampling, tryouts, and new product launches when necessary.
Continuous Improvement
· Identify tooling design improvements to enhance cycle times, mold longevity, and part quality.
· Implement preventive maintenance programs to extend mold life and reduce unplanned downtime.
· Collaborate on mold design revisions and cost-saving initiatives.
· Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
Quality & Safety
· Maintain tight tolerances and dimensional accuracy in all mold work.
· Ensure compliance with safety standards and tool room best practices.
· Support quality initiatives related to container specifications and customer requirements.
· Able to use overhead crane for large plastic injection tooling transport
· Able to use large fork truck in a safe manner
Food Safety Management System
· All employees are required to understand and follow all Silgan Food Safety Management System policies and procedures. In addition, employees areresponsible for reporting problems with the Food Safety Management System to a supervisor, manager or the Quality Systems Representative.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or equivalent along with 7 + years of related experience in mold making within plastics manufacturing (plastic injection preferred). Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school desired. Preferred to have experience supporting high-volume plastic container manufacturing. Must have Experience working with hot runner systems, slides, lifters, and complex multi-cavity molds. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, CAD drawings, and tooling schematics and a strong background in precision machining, mold fitting, and troubleshooting.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures and prints. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and operation procedures. Ability to effectively present information and communicate with Subordinates, Managers, Engineers and Customers.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, metric-to-inch conversions and geometric tolerances.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. As well as computer skills for machine set-up and design programs.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to collect data, establish facts, define problems and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Strong problem-solving skills with a hands-on, solution-oriented approach.
CERTIFICATES / LICENSES: A state indentured Journeyman Certification in Mold Making is required in this role.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to operate most common tool room equipment such as mills, lathes, grinders, and various hand tools. The ability to work independently. Ability to lead by example and handle problems in a professional manner is essential to this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods and physically able to climb in plastics injection presses; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit. The employee must frequently lift and carry 50 lbs. up to 10 feet and occasionally lift and carry up to 75 pounds several feet (e.g. molds without eyebolts). Objects are at waist height. Employee must be able to use overhead cranes for large plastic injection tooling transport and able to use large fork truck in a safe manner. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise levels in the work environment range from quiet to moderate. The noise level on the manufacturing floor is loud. The environment is climate controlled.
The following personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to be worn at all times when performing in this role while on the manufacturing floor: safety glasses and hearing protection. Food Safety protective equipment is required at all times while on the manufacturing floor: including hair nets and, if applicable, beard nets or gloves.
Pay: $45.00 - $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid jury duty
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Mold making: 7 years (Required)
- Plastics injection molding: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Journeyman Certification in Mold Making (Required)
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
