Injection Molding Group Leader

I. General Summary

Directs Injection Mold Technicians and other Team Members in assigned manufacturing area(s) in the execution of the group’s responsibilities. Support the manufacturing areas and maintain the overall Toyota Production System with a focus on minimizing downtime, increasing productivity, and coordinating preventative maintenance activities. Manages the group as an operational unit and is responsible for accomplishing company goals and targets in accordance with all company policies, maintenance standards and methods, and standards for safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

The role includes supporting the manufacturing areas, minimizing downtime, and ensuring productivity while maintaining Toyota Production System standards. Key responsibilities are detailed below.

• Function as a first‑line supervisor over Injection Mold Technicians.
• Plan and coordinate hiring and placement of team members with the Assistant Manager. Monitor and track staffing conditions, work hours, overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism.
• Ensure consistent compliance with company rules, policies, and practices, taking corrective action when warranted.
• Manage and appraise team member job performance and recommend corrective action.
• Develop and maintain positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two‑way communication, teamwork, and harmony.
• Provide direction and motivation to team members, emphasizing safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and morale.
• Lead and maintain the maintenance and repair operations of the assigned area, achieving department Hoshin goals and maintaining tasks with targets and implementation schedules.
• Utilize Toyota Production System (TPS) techniques to standardize current and new processes, reduce process variation, identify waste, and methodically eliminate waste.
• Develop standardized work procedures by designing or documenting the best maintenance work sequence for each piece of equipment or tooling.
• Direct the work of Team Leaders and Team Members by assigning or re‑assigning work based on current work situation and production schedules.
• Guide floor activities through consistent application of Toyota Boshoku Business Practices (TBBP) to ensure all manufacturing, maintenance, and repair operations are effective and correct sub‑standard situations.
• Perform essential job functions of Injection Mold Technicians or team members as necessary to maintain efficient, stable, and continuous operations.
• Direct and control maintenance activities on all production equipment, facilities, and utility systems to provide a reliable production platform.
• Develop predictive and preventive maintenance programs in conjunction with production management to ensure operability of all plant equipment and facilities.
• Lead the preventive maintenance (PM) scheduling for completion and performance, evaluating breakdown situations for PM effectiveness regarding molds.
• Coordinate activities of team members engaged in repair, maintenance, and installation of machines, tools, and equipment to ensure continuous production operations.
• Manage and maintain machine uptime/downtime in accordance with departmental and company goals.
• Coordinate and support maintenance and operations of facilities and utility systems.
• Obtain part quotations and submit purchase orders for machine, equipment, and tooling repairs.
• Support spare parts purchases and operation of parts and tooling crib.
• Research obsolete equipment spare parts and components, design when applicable, and source suitable replacement components or repairs.
• Ensure maintenance systems support achievement of company annual plan targets.
• Maintain the highest level of safety and efficiency for machines, tools, equipment, and related systems.
• Troubleshoot daily safety, machine, equipment, and tooling issues.
• Be proactive in predicting abnormalities and finding innovative solutions to correct.
• Evaluate and analyze problems involving machinery and equipment and coordinate repair of tools and machinery, participating in frequent…