fitchburg, MA 01420
Director, Manufacturing
Fitchburg, MA 01420Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000Lead Manufacturing. Stay Close to the Process. Drive Results.We are seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing with a strong, hands-on background in thermoplastic injection molding to lead our manufacturing operations in Fitchburg, MA.
Direct thermoplastic injection molding experience is required for this position.This is not a role for someone who leads manufacturing primarily through layers of management. We are looking for a hands-on manufacturing leader who is highly visible on the production floor and comfortable working directly with supervisors, Process Technicians, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and operators to solve manufacturing problems and improve performance.
The ideal candidate understands injection molding from the floor up, including molding processes, equipment, thermoplastic materials, tooling interactions, troubleshooting, production efficiency, and quality.
Our operations include thermoplastic injection molding, precision machining, plating, assembly, and secondary operations in an ISO 13485 and FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
What You'll DoProvide hands-on leadership across injection molding, machining, plating, assembly, and secondary operations.Maintain a strong daily presence on the manufacturing floor.Work directly with production and technical teams to resolve manufacturing, quality, equipment, tooling, and process issues.Ensure production schedules, quality requirements, and customer delivery commitments are achieved.Establish priorities and respond quickly to manufacturing constraints and production interruptions.Drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, scrap, and manufacturing costs.Provide operational leadership and technical understanding of thermoplastic injection molding.Partner directly with Process Technicians, Tooling, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to troubleshoot molding challenges.Understand and help troubleshoot 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.Ensure manufacturing processes are capable, repeatable, and effectively controlled.Lead and develop supervisors, technical personnel, team leads, and production employees.Set clear expectations and reinforce accountability throughout manufacturing.Coach and develop employees while remaining actively engaged in day-to-day operations.Assess staffing, training, and technical skill needs.Build a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement.Identify and implement practical improvements that increase productivity, quality, capacity, and profitability.Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring manufacturing issues.Reduce scrap, downtime, waste, and inefficient processes.Use manufacturing data and KPIs to identify opportunities and measure results.Apply Lean Manufacturing principles and tools to drive sustainable improvements.Ensure manufacturing operations comply with established quality systems and regulatory requirements.Partner with Quality and Engineering to improve process capability and resolve quality concerns.Support audits, corrective actions, customer requirements, and continuous compliance initiatives.Maintain a strong focus on process control, documentation, and manufacturing discipline.Qualifications
Required QualificationsSignificant hands-on manufacturing experience in thermoplastic injection molding.Strong understanding of injection molding processes, equipment, thermoplastic materials, tooling, troubleshooting, and production operations.Progressive manufacturing leadership experience with demonstrated success improving operational performance.Experience leading manufacturing teams while remaining actively involved with day-to-day production.Ability to work directly with technical teams to troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing issues.Strong understanding of production planning, capacity, labor utilization, quality, delivery, scrap, downtime, and manufacturing costs.Demonstrated success driving measurable operational and continuous improvement.Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.Important: Direct thermoplastic injection molding experience is a requirement. Candidates with general manufacturing leadership experience but no meaningful injection molding background will not be considered.Preferred QualificationsExperience in a hands-on, lean manufacturing environment where leaders are directly involved in production and problem-solving.Experience overseeing multiple manufacturing processes in addition to injection molding, such as machining, assembly, plating, or secondary operations.Experience processing commercial and engineering-grade thermoplastic resins.Experience with ISO 13485, FDA-regulated, medical device, or other regulated manufacturing environments.Experience with new product introductions, product transfers, process validation, and manufacturing scale-up.Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, root cause analysis, 5S, visual management, and continuous improvement methodologies.Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning.Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant manufacturing experience.You may be a strong fit if you:
Built your career around thermoplastic injection molding and manufacturing operations.Understand injection molding beyond production reports and KPIs.Are comfortable going directly to the production floor when a molding process is not performing and helping the team determine why.Understand the relationship between machine, mold, material, process, and part quality.Enjoy being visible and involved in manufacturing operations.Are comfortable working in an environment where leaders wear multiple hats and personally drive problems to resolution.Can move between strategic planning and immediate production-floor priorities.Develop people while also holding teams accountable for results.Work effectively across Production, Engineering, Quality, Tooling, and Maintenance.Success will be measured through improvements in:
SafetyQuality and scrapOn-time deliveryProduction efficiency and throughputLabor utilizationEquipment and process uptimeManufacturing cost and profitabilityCapacityEmployee development and retentionContinuous improvementCustomer satisfactionThis is an opportunity for an experienced injection molding manufacturing leader to make a direct and visible impact on the operation.
You will have the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy while remaining closely connected to the production floor and the technical challenges that drive performance.
If you are a hands-on thermoplastic injection molding leader who enjoys solving problems, developing people, improving manufacturing processes, and taking ownership of results, we want to hear from you.We offer a competitive salary of $120,000 to $150,000, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and the ability to directly influence the continued growth and success of the organization.
PM21
Compensation details: 120000-150000
PI02f180462f6e-38265-41618377
