Work Cell Operations Coach, Plastics Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Production

Reports to: Department Supervisor/Manager

Role overview

Step into the Work Cell Operations Coach role and own the day-to-day performance of a dedicated manufacturing cell producing high-quality plastic closures and components. You will coordinate people, processes, and equipment to meet targets safely, efficiently, and with unwavering quality. When issues arise, you’ll collaborate with Maintenance & Automation, the Tool Room, and your Supervisor to resolve them quickly.

A day in the life

Your shift begins with a cell walk at shift exchange alongside the outgoing WCC. You verify machine/cell readiness , confirm the labor density plan , and approve production start-up . Throughout the day, you continuously improve the operation:

• Champion safety: address unsafe conditions and behaviors, close safety gaps you identify, and model strict adherence to plant safety, housekeeping, and 5S .
• Create a workplace where risks are managed with urgency , hazards are recognized and corrected, and employees feel empowered to speak up.
• Align your cell with the company’s vision and priorities; conduct Gemba walks every 2 hours and document results on MDI .
• Optimize staffing: review machine downtime and reassign labor to maximize productivity.
• Validate quality: perform one shot per operator per day with the operator, then another independently, ensuring compliance and effectiveness.
• Ensure Operator AMs are completed; hold weekly TPM meetings and maintain Found vs. Fixed actions.
• Oversee proper shutdowns: end-of-run, no-op, and holiday procedures.
• Complete assigned LPAs (Layered Process Audits).
• Investigate production anomalies —including pulls, DT, Red Screen, HrxHr, and labor variance—and proactively reduce scrap.
• Communicate and escalate operational issues promptly to the shift supervisor .
• Coach, support, and develop operators’ skills to elevate cell performance.
• Ensure compliance with ISO, TPM, and GMP initiatives.
• Manage the scrap waste stream and drive sustained reduction.
• Assist during machine breakdowns and escalate to support groups as needed.

Food safety commitments

• Comply with all company food safety and quality assurance procedures.
• Report any product or process failures that could impact food safety to the location’s Food Safety Team Leader and submit an appropriate incident report.

Skills and experience

• Proven ability to challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborative approach across roles and diverse teams; skilled at gathering and sharing feedback.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and staying current on best practices.
• Capability to plan and coordinate routine maintenance.
• Strong communication, presentation, planning, and organizational skills; adept at multitasking and prioritizing.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and strategic thinking.
• Comfort reading and understanding instructions, correspondence, reports, and memos; ability to write clear reports and communications.
• Effective presenter in 1:1 settings, peer groups, and small-team environments.
• Math skills: add, subtract, multiply, divide (whole numbers, fractions, decimals); compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Ability to interpret written, verbal, or diagrammed instructions and apply sound judgment.
• Experience resolving employee-related issues and addressing performance gaps.
• Diagnostic capability to determine why a specific machine is not achieving rate.
• Associate degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Prior leadership experience in a manufacturing, military, or industrial setting.

Technical proficiency

• Equipment and mechanical troubleshooting
• Maintenance and repair
• Manufacturing environment experience
• Clear, concise communication
• Basic computer skills

Physical requirements

Role requires frequent sitting and/or standing, clear verbal and auditory communication in person and by phone, and manual dexterity to use hands, fingers, and arms to feel controls and reach. Expect prolonged standing/walking for up to 12 hours, and the ability to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and lift up to 50 pounds.

About MRP Solutions

MRP Solutions is a leading manufacturer of injection-molded plastic closures, jars, and related packaging components used by millions of consumers every day. We deliver more than caps and lids—we provide tailored, industry-leading packaging solutions that protect products and reinforce consumer confidence.

Our consultative experts uncover what customers truly need and craft smarter, safer, more flexible solutions that reduce cost and accelerate speed to market. Continuous innovation helps our customers grow, making MRP a preferred partner for brands, manufacturers, and distributors who recognize that caps and lids play a crucial role in how people experience their products. Together, we create packaging with purpose.

Our vision

To provide best-in-class, customized packaging solutions that safeguard products and earn consumer trust—while innovating relentlessly to help our customers win.

Our values and beliefs

• Integrity: Do what is right—always.
• Value Creation: Create lasting value for society and all stakeholders, beginning with safety.
• Accountability: Own outcomes; say what we will do and do what we say.
• Entrepreneurial: Think like owners; be curious, innovative, and customer-obsessed.
• Respectful & Friendly: Treat everyone with dignity; welcome diverse perspectives and lead with a smile.
• Change: Seek and embrace profitable change through rigorous debate and innovation.
• Fulfillment: Foster growth, learning, and community so employees can thrive.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

MRP Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, medical condition, marital or protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, MRP Solutions will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.