Director, Manufacturing Operations Injection Molding

fitchburg, MA 01420

Director, Manufacturing Operations – Injection Molding

Director, Manufacturing Operations
Thermoplastic Injection Molding | Fitchburg, MA
Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000

We are looking for a hands-on manufacturing leader with direct thermoplastic injection molding experience to lead our manufacturing operations in Fitchburg, MA.

You do not need to be a current Director to be considered. This could be an excellent next step for a successful Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Molding Manager, Production Manager, or Senior Manufacturing Manager who is ready to take on broader leadership responsibility.

We are looking for someone who understands injection molding from the floor up, enjoys developing people and solving problems, and wants to remain actively involved in day-to-day manufacturing.

Our operations include thermoplastic injection molding, precision machining, plating, assembly, and secondary operations within an ISO 13485 and FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.

Lead Manufacturing Operations

Provide hands-on leadership across injection molding, machining, plating, assembly, and secondary operations.

Maintain a strong daily presence on the manufacturing floor and stay closely connected to production priorities and challenges.

Ensure production schedules, quality requirements, and customer delivery commitments are achieved.

Establish priorities and respond quickly to production interruptions, equipment issues, staffing needs, and manufacturing constraints.

Partner across Production, Engineering, Quality, Tooling, and Maintenance to resolve issues and keep operations moving.

Drive Injection Molding Performance

Work directly with Process Technicians and technical teams to troubleshoot molding and manufacturing challenges.

Understand and help address the interaction between machine, mold, material, process, and part quality.

Drive improvements in process stability, scrap, downtime, cycle performance, capacity, and overall molding efficiency.

Support new molds, materials, equipment, product launches, and production transfers.

Develop the Team

Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, technical personnel, team leads, and production employees.

Set clear expectations and reinforce accountability throughout manufacturing.

Assess staffing, training, and technical skill needs to build a strong and capable manufacturing team.

Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Improve Operational Performance

Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, capacity, and manufacturing cost.

Use manufacturing data and KPIs to identify opportunities, establish priorities, and measure results.

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring manufacturing issues.

Identify and implement practical improvements that increase efficiency, capacity, and profitability.

Ensure manufacturing processes are capable, repeatable, controlled, and compliant with applicable quality requirements.

Qualifications

Direct thermoplastic injection molding experience is required.

Progressive manufacturing leadership experience. Previous Director-level experience is not required.

Strong understanding of injection molding processes, equipment, thermoplastic materials, tooling, troubleshooting, and production operations.

Experience leading and developing manufacturing teams.

A hands-on leadership style and willingness to work directly with employees and technical teams on the production floor.

Strong understanding of production planning, capacity, labor utilization, quality, delivery, scrap, and downtime.

Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance.

Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Medical device, ISO 13485, FDA-regulated, or other regulated manufacturing experience.

Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Experience with machining, plating, assembly, or secondary operations.

New product introductions, process validation, manufacturing scale-up, or production transfers.

ERP/MRP systems and production planning.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant manufacturing experience will also be considered.

You may be a strong fit if you have built your career in thermoplastic injection molding, have successfully led people and manufacturing operations, and are now ready for increased responsibility.

You enjoy being on the production floor, solving problems, developing people, and driving results. You can move between big-picture operational priorities and immediate production challenges and are comfortable working in an environment where leaders are expected to be visible, engaged, and accountable.

We are less concerned about whether you have already held the title of Director and more interested in what you have accomplished, the depth of your injection molding knowledge, your ability to lead others, and your potential to grow with the organization.

This is an opportunity to take the next step in your manufacturing leadership career and make a direct impact on a diverse manufacturing operation.

You will have the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy, develop a strong team, improve operational performance, and remain closely connected to the production floor and the technical challenges that drive results.

If you have strong thermoplastic injection molding experience, have successfully led people and operations, and are ready for broader leadership responsibility, we want to hear from you.
Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000, plus comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities.

PM21

Compensation details: 120000-150000

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