Maintenance and Engineering Manager, Plastic Injection Molding

Job Description

Job Description

Job Overview :

As a Plastic Injection Molding Maintenance & Engineering Manager, youll beresponsible for overseeing the maintenance, operation, and performance of all plastic injection molding machinery and infrastructure equipment within a manufacturing facility. You'll ensure optimal production efficiency, quality control, and safety by managing equipment upkeep, troubleshooting malfunctions, coordinating repairs, and implementing preventative maintenance strategies, while also working closely with production teams to identify and address any equipment-related issues impacting output.

Youll ensure efficient operations, high-quality parts, and adherence to manufacturing standards by leading a team of engineers and maintenance technicians to identify and implement process improvements.Your contributions will foster a culture of safety, quality, urgency, continuous improvement, and reliable results.

Responsibilities include :

Mold Management :

Oversee the maintenance and repair of injection molds, including preventative maintenance schedules.

Work with mold designers and vendors to optimize mold designs for efficient production.

Manage mold inventory and track mold performance.

Preventive Maintenance (PM) :

Develop and implement comprehensive PM schedules for all injection molding machines, including mold tooling, auxiliary equipment, and supporting systems.

Monitor PM compliance and ensure timely completion of scheduled maintenance tasks.

Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair :

Perform routine inspections and preventative maintenance on injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment (e.g., robots, conveyors), and tooling.

Identify and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions on complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic injection molding machines, HVAC, and facility cooling systems, coordinating repairs with maintenance technicians or outside vendors.

Perform necessary repairs or coordinate with external vendors for specialized repairs.

Manage spare parts inventory and ensure timely replacements

Monitor equipment performance metrics like cycle time, scrap rate, and update.

Process Optimization :

Collaborate with production teams to identify and resolve process-related issues impacting product quality and efficiency.

Analyze and monitor molding processes to identify areas for improvement.

Implement process changes based on data analysis and scientific molding principles to optimize machine settings and material usage.

Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for molding processes.

Project Management :

Lead new product launch initiatives, including process development and validation.

Manage technical projects related to process improvement, cost reduction, and equipment upgrades.

Collaborate with engineering and design teams to ensure smooth transition from design to production.

Technical Leadership :

Train and mentor technical staff on equipment, troubleshooting procedures, and new technologies.

Provide technical expertise, training, and support to the production team, resolving complex manufacturing issues.

Stay updated on industry trends and new technologies in plastic injection molding.

Leadership and Team Management :

Lead and supervise a team of engineers and maintenance technicians, assigning tasks, providing training, and evaluating performance.

Foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Establish and enforcing safety procedures and protocols.

Monitor employee performance and address performance issues.

Maintenance Planning and Budgeting :

Manage the maintenance budget, including spare parts inventory and cost control measures.

Plan and schedule maintenance activities to minimize production downtime.

Capital Expenditure Management :

Evaluating the need for new equipment upgrades or replacements.

Preparing capital expenditure requests and managing the budget for equipment purchases.

Reporting and Documentation :

Maintain detailed maintenance records, including work orders, repair history, and equipment performance data.

Generate reports on maintenance activities, costs, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Required Skills and Qualifications :

• Located in or able to relocate to the greater Phoenix, Arizona area.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related field.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of plastic injection molding machinery, including hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and PLC controls.
• Experience in plastic injection molding operations, including process development and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of plastic injection molding processes and principles, including material science, machine operation, and quality control principles.
• Experience with troubleshooting and repairing injection molding machines.
• Knowledge of mold design, maintenance, and tooling practices.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with industry standards and safety regulations.
• Proven experience leading, managing, and developing a technical team.
• Available to provide on-call support to the team, with urgency, as needed.
• Stays updated on new technologies and maintenance best practices within the industry.