Plant Technical Manager - Injection Molding

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Greenville, SC
Position Type: Interim / Contract with potential for full-time conversion

Job Summary:

The Plant Technical Manager – Injection Molding is a highly hands-on technical leadership role responsible for supporting day-to-day plant operations, troubleshooting manufacturing issues, driving process improvements, and ensuring reliable production within an automotive manufacturing environment.

This interim resource will provide immediate technical and operational support while a long-term employee is recruited, trained, and transitioned into the position. The interim individual may also be considered for the full-time opportunity if there is mutual interest.

The Plant Technical Manager will work directly on the manufacturing floor with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Technicians, Mold Setters, Maintenance, Tooling, Production, and Quality teams. The successful candidate must be comfortable getting personally involved in injection molding process troubleshooting, equipment issues, mold changes, manufacturing process improvements, new program launches, and plant projects rather than managing these activities solely through others.

The position supports the plant and its customers through effective management and hands-on execution of new program launches, process improvements, cost reduction initiatives, tooling and equipment projects, and engineering changes . The role develops and improves assembly methods, manufacturing processes, fixtures, molds, and equipment to ensure high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective production .

Responsibilities:

• Provide visible, hands-on technical leadership on the manufacturing floor , working directly with production, maintenance, engineering, process technicians, and mold setters to resolve daily manufacturing issues.
• Troubleshoot and help resolve plastic injection molding process , tooling, mold, equipment, automation, and production problems affecting safety, quality, delivery, or cost.
• Support optimization of injection molding parameters, cycle times, scrap reduction, process capability, uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) .
• Provide technical support during mold changes, mold setup, process startup, production launches, and manufacturing trials .
• Support plant safety programs by ensuring Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering considerations are incorporated into manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Manage and actively support the quoting and implementation of product and process design changes .
• Support VA/VE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering) initiatives and ensure Manufacturing Engineering representation during trials, approvals, and implementation.
• Drive implementation of continuous improvement, cost reduction, scrap reduction, productivity, and process optimization opportunities.
• Establish and evaluate internal integration plans by completing make-versus-buy analysis and presenting recommendations.
• Support the development and execution of plant projects involving manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, automation, and facility improvements .
• Develop annual budgets and schedules related to equipment, labor, tooling, and manufacturing requirements.
• Provide leadership and technical direction to Maintenance Managers, Manufacturing Engineers, Process Technicians, and Mold Setters .
• Manage and provide hands-on support for facilities and plant infrastructure activities as required.
• Assist Maintenance and Engineering teams with equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance priorities, tooling issues, and manufacturing reliability improvements .
• Review team performance and identify opportunities for employee training, development, and technical skill enhancement .
• Ensure compliance with applicable IATF 16949 / automotive quality system requirements , plant procedures, and customer-specific requirements.
• Participate directly in root cause analysis, corrective actions, 8D problem solving, and continuous improvement activities .
• Promote a safe work environment through 5S, ergonomic improvements, safety audits, incident reviews, corrective action closure, and safe manufacturing practices .
• Communicate technical, safety, quality, and production information effectively across plant functions and leadership.
• Provide continuity and technical stability during the interim period while supporting the successful transition to the permanent resource.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering , Manufacturing Engineering , Mechanical Engineering , Plastics Engineering , or a similar technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent highly relevant injection molding and automotive manufacturing experience may be considered where appropriate.

Qualifications:

• 5-9+ years of automotive manufacturing experience , preferably within a high-volume production environment.
• Significant hands-on experience with plastic injection molding manufacturing .
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting injection molding processes, molds, tooling, equipment, and production issues .
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing process development, process optimization, and continuous improvement .
• Experience supporting or leading Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Maintenance, Tooling, or Technical Operations functions.
• Experience with new program launches, engineering changes, equipment installations, tooling trials, and process validation .
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, root cause analysis, 8D, corrective action, scrap reduction, and cost reduction methodologies.
• Automotive quality systems experience, including familiarity with IATF 16949 , customer requirements, and structured problem-solving processes.
• Ability and willingness to spend significant time working directly on the plant floor and personally engaging in technical troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Ability to provide both technical leadership and hands-on execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer or supplier sites, including industrial manufacturing plants that may require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.
• Strong organizational, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize production-critical issues and respond effectively to downtime, quality concerns, tooling problems, and manufacturing disruptions .
• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

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