Plastics Engineer, Technical Director

The Plastics Engineer, Technical Director provides technical expertise and leadership to multiple plastics injection molding plants within the Plastics Division; ensures that the highest standards in process, safety, quality, cost, and production are provided within the division’s four manufacturing locations. This role provides engineering services and new/existing product and process development knowledge for the division’s continuous improvement, automation, and growth goals; outlines production initiatives and objectives to meet company / site needs and changing business and work environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide plastics technical expertise to plant managers within the Plastics division’s four manufacturing locations in US and Mexico.
• Provide technical expertise in plastics materials, equipment, and automation, to drive continuous improvement and innovation in plastics manufacturing processes throughout the division.
• Act as the engineering project manager for plastics process improvement projects including new machinery/processes, upgrades to existing systems, implementation of automation to legacy systems, replacement of legacy systems, and industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Manage and oversee division initiatives associated with capital expenditures, like equipment purchases and product engineering.
• Oversee the production performance of the division, including safety, quality, efficiency, project management, and product development.
• Work with the VP Manufacturing to develop business and capital project financial plans for the division.
• Together with the Plant Managers, set the annual strategic process improvement plan and complete the annual capital project budget planning and analysis.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize production efficiency and maximize profitability.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in plastics engineering required or industrial or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Previous experience in plastics injection molding and manufacturing and possess plastics materials and technology knowledge a must.
• 10 plus years of business management experience in a fast-paced industrial manufacturing environment required.
• 5-years' experience working in multi-site operations.
• 5-years' demonstrated successful project management, including management of capital budgets, project schedules, procurement activities, vendor management, and system start ups.
• Direct experience developing and managing capital budgets including financial analysis.
• Direct experience implementing robotics and other forms of automation is critical.
• Demonstrated ability to start up new and modified plastics injection molding and extrusion projects is required – including system check-out, PLC troubleshooting, and training operators and maintenance technicians.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and preferred fluency in Spanish.
  
  

Travel: This position requires up to 25% travel. Some of the travel is international.