About the Role
Step into a hands-on role at the heart of plastics manufacturing. Your day begins by reviewing the production schedule, planning efficient changeovers, and ensuring every machine you touch is ready to hit its throughput targets. You’ll move seamlessly from a major mold swap to a quick trim tool change, dialing in guide bars, pick adjustments, and control parameters so quality parts flow without interruption.
What a Day Could Look Like
- Execute mechanical changeovers from start to finish — line set-ups, mold and trim tool changes, and the fine adjustments that make the line hum.
- Own the full mold change process: disconnect, remove, relocate, install, reconnect, and bring tools to a verified production-ready state.
- Troubleshoot machine issues, tune related equipment, and restore stability so output meets published rates and quality standards.
- Rebuild and refresh assets during weekly, monthly, and quarterly PM windows — from trim presses and formers to printers, grinders, tooling, and automation systems.
- Keep tooling organized and staged for rapid readiness; maintain cleaning systems and tanks (filters, solutions, and tank condition).
- Clean and inspect molds periodically; document findings and maintain a history for each tool to guide future work.
- Spot opportunities to reduce changeover time and propose modifications or upgrades that cut downtime.
- Train and guide teammates to ensure set-up integrity, safe practices, and consistent standards.
- Support process technician tasks as assigned and jump in on shop routines like mold cleaning and pre-stage set-ups.
- Specify and help procure spare parts to keep the fleet ready.
How You Work
- Self-directed, organized, and comfortable working with minimal supervision.
- Results-focused and passionate about continuous improvement and workplace organization.
- Clear communicator who can collaborate across all levels of the operation.
- Demonstrates best work practices, understands work design, and takes initiative without step-by-step instructions.
Skills & Experience
- High School Diploma or GED (required).
- Experience as a skilled machinist in a high-precision manufacturing environment (preferred).
- Close-tolerance fabrication, component assembly, and machine set-up proficiency.
- Expertise with precision measurement and set-up devices.
- Competence with computerized machine controls and HMIs; strong desktop software skills for data capture and analysis.
- Team-first mindset; problem solver able to juggle multiple priorities with accountability.
- Hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, and/or general maintenance knowledge (preferred).
- Background in injection molding and the broader plastics industry (preferred).
- Comfort operating cranes and forklifts and handling heavy molds (preferred).
Core Responsibilities (Highlights)
- Major and minor changeovers, including guide bar and pick adjustments, and control system tuning.
- Tooling assembly/cleaning/repair to specification; reassembly after component failures.
- Mold PM execution and documentation; cleanliness and safety of the work area.
Flexibility
This position requires flexibility for overtime, on-call support, and adjusting hours, shifts, or teams as needed.
Your Proficiencies
- Plastic extrusion
- Injection molding
- Thermoforming
- Tool/die/mold set-up
Machines & Technologies
- Injection molding machines
- Extrusion equipment
- Blow molding machines