Injection Molding Operations Lead

About Proto Plastics Proto Plastics, based in Tipp City, Ohio, is a premier custom injection molder with more than half a century of experience. Our culture is built on continuous improvement and a relentless focus on exceeding customer expectations.

What a Day Looks Like You start your shift by walking the molding floor, coaching operators, material handlers, and process techs. A job change is underway—you verify the scientific molding parameters, fine-tune a hot runner with valve gates, and confirm the 2-stage injection profile on a horizontal press with multiple core pulls. Before lunch, you sync with Engineering to lock in the latest process specification changes.

In the afternoon, you review real-time performance in IQMS, remove bottlenecks to hit cycle-time targets, and huddle with Quality, CSR’s, Tooling, Processing, and Maintenance to close out a customer concern and embed preventive actions. You finish by planning tomorrow’s training and CI blitz.

How You Lead Set the tone for safety, quality, and pace—supervise and mentor the molding team by example.

Direct and support molding operators, material handlers, mold set-up technicians, and process technicians to meet schedule and quality goals.

Drive technical excellence: 3-axis robotics; 2-stage and 3-stage injection processes; horizontal presses with multi core-pull/multi-cavity tools; hot runner systems (hot drop and valve gate); material handling (color feeders, hoppers, Gaylord tippers, dryers); and auxiliary equipment (thermolators, chillers, hot runner controls).Champion Lean Management—eliminate waste, reduce variation, and compress cycle times.

Translate floor-level observations into actionable improvements; bring insights to the core operating team to resolve production issues quickly.

Recruit, interview, coach, and, when necessary, address performance issues while keeping morale strong.

Deliver targeted training for operators, materials handlers, set-up techs, and process techs.

Identify undocumented or missing processes and close gaps with robust methods and controls.

Partner cross-functionally (Quality, CSR’s, Tooling, Processing, Engineering, Maintenance) to resolve customer issues and prevent recurrence.

Use IQMS (MRP) to manage job activities, materials, and performance.

Pitch in wherever needed to ensure team and company success.

What You Bring Hands-on knowledge of manufacturing equipment, molding processes, systems, and tools.

MRP literacy (IQMS preferred) and the ability to translate data into action.

Calm, structured problem-solving—troubleshoot, decide, and follow through.

Lean thinking and a habit of continuous improvement.

Ability to execute instructions delivered in written, verbal, or schedule formats.

Experience with process capability studies and scientific molding.

Build and document robust molding processes for new product launches.

Data-driven mindset; analyze and use information to solve problems.

Proven leadership: hire, train, assign work, direct, coach, and motivate.

Comfort reading SOPs, safety rules, maintenance guides, and procedures.

Working knowledge of core HR-related managerial practices.

Strong written and verbal communication.

Applied math skills: ratios, percentages, discounts, area, circumference, volume; basic algebra and geometry.

Team-first mentality with accountability for results.

Sharp time management—separate urgent from important, prioritize, and multi-task.

Fluency with database, internet, inventory software, and MS Office.

Dependable, self-motivated, and effective with minimal supervision.

Adaptable and versatile in changing conditions.

Safety and security conscious.

Professional presence—lead with clarity, optimism, and respect.

Experience3+ years supervising in a manufacturing environment.
3+ years in…