About the Company:
This company, located outside of Indianapolis, IN, specializes in injection molding of glass-reinforced polypropylene with an excellent reputation for high quality. They offer an extensive product line to a vast array of agricultural and industrial applications. Their products are marketed and sold all over the world and include: Valves, Manifold Systems, IBC/Tank Accessories, Line Strainers, and Pumps. In business for over 60 years, this company is a business unit of a larger corporation based in Lake Forest, IL, and is an applied solutions company with 6,800 employees and operations on six continents.
Summary:
Develops, implements, and maintains methods and defines the operation sequence for injection molding processes used in the manufacture of various valve and pump components. Interfaces with New Product Design Engineering on the readiness for manufacturing. Determines time standards and makes technical recommendations for injection molding tooling and equipment for new and/or existing production lines. Evaluates, selects, and purchases equipment that is most appropriate for application and cost-effective for the manufacture of products. Oversees the installation, modification, upgrade, and verification of production equipment. Monitors equipment and process performance to ensure product quality and customer requirements are delivered.
Major Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement process improvements to optimize productivity, reduce costs, and cycle time.
- Improve existing operations, incorporating new methods, technologies, and processes.
- Troubleshoot shop issues involving injection molding machinery and tooling and lead solution implementation.
- Implement root cause and corrective action analysis as needed.
- Provide technical support to operators for molding tooling, equipment, and processes.
- Specify and procure new injection molding tooling and equipment needed to meet production and quality requirements.
- Develop and maintain shop methods, standardized work, and procedures.
- Coordinate safety and ergonomic improvements for the molding department.
- Manage multiple projects by defining the schedule, resource requirements, budget control, and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) compliance.
- Work with Design Engineering, Procurement, and the Quality Assurance departments to resolve production issues and/or implement improvements.
- Support New Product Development (NPD) and production launch.
- Manage/update facility layout and tooling drawings as needed.
- Prepare capital appropriation requests while quantifying the project business case and cost benefits to the business.
Minimum Requirements:
- BS in Engineering degree and at least 5 years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in the design of injection molding tooling, processes, and equipment.
- Knowledgeable in the application of PFMEA, process control plans, and PPAP.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Mechanical aptitude and good understanding of mechanical design principles.
- Project management training and/or experience.
- Ability to effectively work with cross-functional teams.
- Effective verbal & written communication skills.
- Results-oriented.
- Analytical.
Preferred Requirements:
- Experience with plastic injection molding simulation software.
- Experience with Autodesk Inventor software.
- Process capability studies, GR&Rs, and associative software (preferred Minitab).
- Knowledgeable with ERP Systems (preferred JDE).
- Training in Six Sigma and/or other continuous process improvement processes.
- The selection, procurement, and deployment of automation systems.
