Job Description

Molding Room Manager – Job Description

Position Overview

A senior molding room manager oversees all operations within the molding room, ensuring that scientific molding processes are developed and executed properly, new products are introduced smoothly and efficiently, molding tools are designed properly and maintained, and production schedules are met. The manager collaborates closely with product development and manufacturing and provides technical and strategic leadership to improve productivity and product quality.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Develop and implement department vision and goals. Establish short‑ and long‑term strategic plans to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) for the molding room. Provide input on capital investment budgets for molding equipment and software and prepare requests for new tooling or machinery
• Lead continuous improvement programs. Use lean/TPS/TPM methodologies and a “Kaizen” mindset to drive process improvements, reduce cycle time and optimize utilization of CNC and injection‑molding equipment.

Production Management and Scheduling

• Oversee daily molding operations and production scheduling. Monitor department operations, including workflow scheduling, production processes and quality to ensure on‑time delivery. Optimize production schedules to meet demand and minimize downtime

Scientific Molding and Process Development

• Design and optimize molding processes. Develop scientific molding parameters for new and existing products, including process window definition, cycle time optimization, cooling and clamp force calculation, and resin selection.
• Troubleshoot molding issues and improve process capability. Diagnose and resolve complex problems in molding systems, tooling and automation; lead root‑cause analyses and recommend preventive actions. Serve as the technical resource for injection‑molding process issues.

Tooling Design, Construction and Maintenance

• Direct tool design and construction. Collaborate with 3 rd party toolmakers to review and improve mold tooling designs, ensuring design‑for‑manufacturability and proper specification of materials, cavitation and hot runner systems. Manage tool quoting, vendor selection, purchase orders and coordinate tool construction.
• Manage tool maintenance and lifecycle. Implement preventive‑maintenance programs. Maintain inventory of spare parts and consumables, track tool history and coordinate timely repairs or refurbishment.

New Product Development (NPD)

• Support new product introduction. Work with the NPD team from the RFQ stage into production to assess feasibility and product cost estimates. Participate in design reviews to ensure mold and part designs meet manufacturing capabilities and quality standards. Manage mold trials, sampling and process validation.

Quality, Safety and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with quality and safety standards. Maintain ISO/IATF procedures and ensure that all molding activities follow regulatory and environmental requirements. Promote 6S/lean workplace organization and promote a safe and clean working environment.

People Leadership and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead, coach and develop the molding team. Mentor reports and set performance goals and conduct evaluations. Provide technical training on scientific molding principles and tool maintenance. Foster a collaborative and motivating work environment aligned with company values.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders. Collaborate with external tooling vendors and equipment suppliers to resolve issues, obtain quotes and implement new technology. Provide regular updates to senior management and on tooling projects, process improvements and schedule adherence.

Required Experience, Education and Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field. A degree in mechanical, plastics, manufacturing or industrial engineering is preferred. Advanced certifications in scientific injection molding, mold design or project management are desirable.

Experience

• Extensive injection‑molding experience. At least ten years’ experience in plastic injection molding with a strong understanding of materials science, molding technologies and scientific molding principles. Minimum five years in a leadership or management role in a tool room or molding department. Familiarity with IQ, OQ and PQ validation for both equipment and molded parts.
• Insert molding and over‑molding experience. Familiarity with insert‑molding processes and over‑molding techniques. Ability to design and optimize insert‑molding processes that achieve proper adhesion and alignment while minimizing cycle time and ensuring part quality and requirements.
• Demonstrated success in new product development and tooling. Experience leading new product introductions, reviewing and improving mold designs, quoting and purchasing molds and managing mold trials and validation.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and quality systems. Practical knowledge of lean/TPS, SMED, TPM and 6S principles and implementing continuous improvement programs.

Technical Skills

• Scientific molding expertise. Proficiency in designing and optimizing injection‑molding processes, including process window development, melt rheology, cavity pressure control, cooling system design, hot‑runner and cold‑runner systems, cycle time optimization and resin characterization
• Mold design and analysis. Ability to read and interpret tooling drawings and help guide tool design. Knowledge of tool steels, coating technologies and cavity design. Familiarity with mold‑making machinery (CNC, EDM, die spotting), hot runner systems and cooling systems.
• Machine and automation proficiency. Working knowledge of injection‑molding machines (e.g., LS, Shibaura) and ability to troubleshoot equipment.
• Data analysis and computer skills. ERP systems to manage production orders and standard office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)jobot.com.

Leadership and Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and communication. Effective communication skills for interacting with cross‑functional teams, senior management; capable of presenting technical information clearly and persuasively.
• Project and resource management. Capable of managing multiple projects, setting priorities, and allocating resources to meet production and development schedules while staying within budget. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to make data‑driven decisions.
• Problem‑solving and analytical thinking. Skilled in identifying root causes, developing alternative solutions and implementing corrective actions. Demonstrates sound judgement when balancing production demands, quality requirements, cost considerations and NPD.

Summary

The molding room manager plays a critical role in ensuring that injection‑molding operations run smoothly and efficiently. By combining technical expertise in scientific molding, tool design and new product development with leadership and project management skills, the manager delivers high‑quality molded products on schedule while driving continuous improvement. This role requires a balance of strategic planning and hands‑on problem‑solving, with a strong commitment to safety, quality and teamwork.

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