Plastics Manufacturing Production Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager with a strong background in injection molding and plastics manufacturing to lead our production operations. This position oversees three production shifts and approximately 50 employees, with responsibility for production performance, staffing, quality, efficiency, safety, and on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing leadership experience with hands-on knowledge of injection molding processes, materials, mold setup and processing, troubleshooting, and quality standards . This role reports directly to the President and works closely with Quality, Tooling, Manufacturing, and other departments to continuously improve plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead production operations across three shifts, overseeing approximately 50 employees.
• Manage and mentor production supervisors while ensuring effective communication between shifts and departments.
• Oversee injection molding operations, including mold setup and processing, press operations, materials, secondary operations, and quality.
• Identify and troubleshoot molding and production issues, determine probable root causes, and coordinate with Tooling, Quality, and other departments to implement solutions.
• Monitor production schedules, workflow, efficiency, quality, and staffing to ensure customer and delivery requirements are met.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and control manufacturing costs.
• Evaluate tools, fixtures, equipment, processes, and new technologies that can improve manufacturing performance.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and participate in interviewing and selection of production employees.
• Coach and develop supervisors and employees while addressing performance, discipline, training, and employee-relations needs.
• Review production performance, identify potential delays or customer-impacting issues, and communicate appropriate information to senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety requirements and proactively identify and correct unsafe conditions.
• Maintain appropriate production records, reports, and documentation.
• Review and approve applicable quotes to ensure alignment with profitability and revenue expectations.
• Review facility expenses and invoices against annual budgets and assist in monitoring profit-and-loss performance.
• Maintain high standards for equipment, work areas, organization, and housekeeping.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in injection molding/plastics manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of injection molding processes, materials, mold setup and processing, secondary operations, and quality standards.
• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing or production operations.
• Experience managing production employees and/or supervisors across multiple shifts.
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot injection molding and production problems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing standards, production control, defect/root-cause analysis, quality systems, and process improvement.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee-development skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees and leadership at all levels of an organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with thermoforming operations.
• Experience managing production budgets, costs, and P&L-related metrics.
• Experience with manufacturing quoting and profitability analysis.
• Experience implementing new manufacturing processes, equipment, or technologies.
• Previous experience managing multi-shift plastics manufacturing operations.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a leader who understands both the technical and operational sides of injection molding manufacturing . The successful candidate should be comfortable on the production floor troubleshooting issues with the team while also managing supervisors, analyzing production performance, controlling costs, and communicating with senior leadership.

This is an opportunity for an experienced plastics manufacturing professional to take ownership of production operations and have a direct impact on quality, efficiency, employee development, and overall plant performance.

Employment Type: Full Time
Years Experience: 5 - 10 years
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No