Associate Manager, Tooling and Process Engineering

Associate Manager, Tooling and Process Engineering Key Responsibilities Tooling Leadership & Mold Management Own the complete lifecycle of injection molds, including design reviews, sourcing, validation, launch, preventive maintenance, and refurbishment Establish and maintain mold PM standards, spare parts strategies, and tooling documentation Partner with tool shops and mold suppliers to ensure quality, timing, and cost targets are met Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for mold‑related downtime, quality issues, or performance gaps Approve mold modifications and engineering changes to improve reliability, cycle time, and part quality Process Engineering & Optimization Develop, standardize, and approve robust injection molding processes (Scientific / Decoupled Molding preferred) Lead process development for new product launches including DOE, mold trials, and validation Drive continuous improvement initiatives for scrap reduction, cycle‑time optimization, and process stability Ensure documented process standards and setup sheets are controlled and followed Serve as escalation point for complex molding and processing issues Team Leadership & Development Directly manage and mentor Tooling Technicians, Process Technicians, and Process Engineers Set performance expectations, conduct reviews, and create skill development plans Build bench strength through training, cross‑functional exposure, and succession planning Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement Cross‑Functional Collaboration Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues Support audits, customer visits, and technical reviews as the senior molding expert Provide technical input to capital projects, automation, and equipment selection Support ISO, regulatory, and customer‑specific compliance activities Metrics & Accountability Improve mold uptime, scrap rates, and process capability (Cp/Cpk) Reduce startup, changeover, and launch inefficiencies Ensure new tools and processes meet performance and delivery expectations Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience) 10+ years of injection molding experience including tooling and process engineering 5+ years of leadership or supervisory experience Expert knowledge of mold design, thermoplastics processing, and scientific molding principles Strong problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills Preferred Qualifications RJG Master Molder certification or equivalent Experience with automated or high‑cavitation molding environments Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification ERP or MES experience related to tooling and process control Physical & Work Environment Requirements Manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, heat, and moving equipment. Occasional travel to tool shops, suppliers, or customers. Off‑shift support may be required. #J-18808-Ljbffr