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United Employment Group, Inc.

Molding Manager

United Employment Group, Inc., Frankfort, Kentucky, United States

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Director of Recruiting - Plastic Injection Molding The Molding Manager is responsible for overseeing all injection molding operations in a multi‑industry, high‑precision manufacturing environment. This position ensures that molding processes support the diverse requirements of the

Electronics, Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Telecommunications, Industrial & Business Equipment, Government/Defense, Safety, Instrumentation & Control, and Construction

industries. The role focuses on achieving consistent part quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance across varied customer requirements, while leading a skilled team of technicians, operators, and setup personnel.

Base Pay Range $65,000.00/yr - $75,000.00/yr

Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type Full‑time

Job Function Engineering and Information Technology

Industries Staffing and Recruiting

Key Responsibilities Operations & Production Management

Plan, prioritize, and manage daily molding operations to meet production schedules across multiple high‑complexity industries.

Ensure proper setup, calibration, and operation of injection molding machines, robotics, and auxiliary equipment.

Monitor cycle times, scrap rates, material usage, first‑pass yield, and overall equipment efficiency (OEE).

Troubleshoot molding issues related to process stability, tooling performance, material flow, and machine function.

Oversee mold and color changes, scientific molding setups, and first‑article validation for new and existing products.

Leadership & Team Development

Supervise, train, and mentor molding technicians, process techs, setup personnel, and machine operators.

Establish performance expectations and conduct evaluations to support employee growth and accountability.

Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Manage staffing, shift coverage, onboarding, and cross‑training initiatives.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure molding operations comply with industry‑specific requirements including:

Automotive:

IATF 16949 practices

Aerospace/Defense:

AS9100, ITAR, DFARS considerations

Medical:

ISO 13485 and cleanroom‑related processes

Electronics & Telecommunications:

precision and ESD‑safe handling protocols

Collaborate with Quality to address nonconformities, root causes, and corrective actions.

Maintain and enforce SOPs, process sheets, work instructions, and molding validation records.

Ensure dimensional, cosmetic, and functional part quality meets customer and regulatory requirements.

Tooling, Maintenance & Equipment Management

Coordinate mold maintenance, repairs, PM schedules, and tooling improvements with internal and external tooling resources.

Evaluate equipment performance and recommend upgrades or replacements to support industry demands.

Ensure molds, inserts, and tooling are properly handled, stored, and tracked.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

Drive lean initiatives (5S, SMED, Kaizen) to support operational efficiency and waste reduction.

Analyze process data to improve cycle times, reduce scrap, and enhance process capability (Cp/Cpk).

Implement scientific molding principles and data‑driven profiles to ensure repeatability and quality.

Lead cost‑reduction and efficiency‑improvement projects without compromising quality or compliance.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Plastics, or related field (preferred).

5–10+ years of experience in plastic injection molding, including supervisory or management roles.

Experience supporting regulated or high‑precision industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, defense, or electronics manufacturing.

Expert knowledge of injection molding processes, materials, thermoplastics, and auxiliary equipment.

Strong ability to diagnose and correct molding, tooling, and processing issues.

Proficiency in scientific molding, DOE methodology, and process optimization.

Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, and structured problem‑solving techniques (e.g., 8D, RCA, DMAIC).

Knowledge of quality systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100, and ITAR export compliance.

Excellent leadership, communication, planning, and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and move within a manufacturing environment for extended periods.

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Ability to work in areas with machinery, noise, heat, and moving equipment.

Fast‑paced, high‑mix plastic injection molding operation serving diverse, regulated, and precision‑driven industries.

May require off‑shift or weekend support based on production needs.

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