Westlake Chemical Corporation
Injection Molding Production Manager - Vinyl (Brownsville, TN)
Westlake Chemical Corporation, Brownsville, Tennessee, United States, 38012
Production Manager – Injection Molding (Brownsville, TN)
Competitive Pay & Full Benefits Effective Day 1
About Westlake Pipe & Fittings
Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a division of Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK), is one of the largest PVC pipe and fittings manufacturers in North America, operating 23 manufacturing and distribution locations. We provide innovative piping solutions—including our industry‑leading Certa‑Lok® spline‑lock technology to in municipal, plumbing, irrigation, and specialty markets.
We foster a supportive, inclusive culture built on innovation, teamwork, professional growth, and opportunities for advancement.
SUMMARY The Production Manager leads the Injection Molding department at our Brownsville, TN plant and oversees a large, fast‑paced 24/7 manufacturing operation. This role is responsible for driving performance in safety, quality, production efficiency, manpower planning, and continuous improvement while developing and supporting a large workforce. The Production Manager partners closely with Operations leadership to meet plant goals and deliver strong operational results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Workforce Development Lead, motivate, and support a large production workforce across multiple shifts. Develop supervisors and frontline personnel through training, coaching, and performance management. Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Operational Excellence Direct daily operations of the injection molding department to achieve safety, quality, and productivity KPIs. Optimize labor, material flow, and equipment utilization to ensure efficient production. Ensure consistent operational standards, policies, and procedures across all shifts.
Safety & Compliance Champion a safety‑first culture and ensure compliance with all site and corporate requirements. Lead investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for safety incidents. Proactively identify and mitigate potential hazards.
Continuous Improvement Implement Lean, TPM, WCM, and other CI methodologies to improve throughput and reduce scrap. Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality groups to solve operational issues and improve processes. Lead improvement projects that support long‑term business objectives.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with HR, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to support workforce planning, problem solving, and process optimization. Provide clear communication and alignment across teams and leadership.
Other Requirements Provide 24/7 support as needed, including during critical production or emergency situations.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field and 5 years management preferred or 15+ years of progressive management experience within manufacturing environments. Minimum 5 years of manufacturing leadership experience (plastics or injection molding preferred). Demonstrated ability to lead large teams (150+ employees) in high‑volume manufacturing. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, quality systems, and maintenance coordination. ERP/MRP system experience. Proven ability to drive KPIs related to safety, labor efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. Strong leadership, decision‑making, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience in plastics, injection molding, extrusion, or similar industries. CI certifications or training (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma). Candidates in West Tennessee strongly preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Regular walking, standing, and lifting (up to 50 lbs occasionally). Required use of PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel‑toe shoes.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Split between office and production floor environments. Exposure to moderate noise levels and industrial equipment.
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We foster a supportive, inclusive culture built on innovation, teamwork, professional growth, and opportunities for advancement.
SUMMARY The Production Manager leads the Injection Molding department at our Brownsville, TN plant and oversees a large, fast‑paced 24/7 manufacturing operation. This role is responsible for driving performance in safety, quality, production efficiency, manpower planning, and continuous improvement while developing and supporting a large workforce. The Production Manager partners closely with Operations leadership to meet plant goals and deliver strong operational results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Workforce Development Lead, motivate, and support a large production workforce across multiple shifts. Develop supervisors and frontline personnel through training, coaching, and performance management. Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Operational Excellence Direct daily operations of the injection molding department to achieve safety, quality, and productivity KPIs. Optimize labor, material flow, and equipment utilization to ensure efficient production. Ensure consistent operational standards, policies, and procedures across all shifts.
Safety & Compliance Champion a safety‑first culture and ensure compliance with all site and corporate requirements. Lead investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for safety incidents. Proactively identify and mitigate potential hazards.
Continuous Improvement Implement Lean, TPM, WCM, and other CI methodologies to improve throughput and reduce scrap. Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality groups to solve operational issues and improve processes. Lead improvement projects that support long‑term business objectives.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with HR, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to support workforce planning, problem solving, and process optimization. Provide clear communication and alignment across teams and leadership.
Other Requirements Provide 24/7 support as needed, including during critical production or emergency situations.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field and 5 years management preferred or 15+ years of progressive management experience within manufacturing environments. Minimum 5 years of manufacturing leadership experience (plastics or injection molding preferred). Demonstrated ability to lead large teams (150+ employees) in high‑volume manufacturing. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, quality systems, and maintenance coordination. ERP/MRP system experience. Proven ability to drive KPIs related to safety, labor efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. Strong leadership, decision‑making, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience in plastics, injection molding, extrusion, or similar industries. CI certifications or training (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma). Candidates in West Tennessee strongly preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Regular walking, standing, and lifting (up to 50 lbs occasionally). Required use of PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel‑toe shoes.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Split between office and production floor environments. Exposure to moderate noise levels and industrial equipment.
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