Senior Injection Molding Operations Manager

DMS’ Purpose:
We are creating a culture of service. We empower others to grow, rise and give back – accelerating positive change in the world. We lead with the heart to bring out the best in you – which brings out the best in us. As a dynamic and innovative team, we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers in the automotive and non-automotive sectors. We do well so we can do good.
Serve Others, Enrich Lives, Rise Together and Give Back

Position Overview: The Senior Injection Molding Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of injection molding production within a Tier 1 automotive supplier environment. This role ensures the efficient, cost-effective, and timely production of high-quality automotive components, meeting customer specifications and industry standards. The Operations Manager leads production teams, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures compliance with safety, quality, and environmental regulations.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Operational Leadership:
◦ Oversee day-to-day injection molding production activities to ensure targets for safety, quality, delivery, and cost are achieved.
◦ Develop and execute production schedules in alignment with customer demands and Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing principles.
◦ Monitor production metrics and drive performance improvements to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).
2. Team Management:
◦ Lead, mentor, and develop a team of supervisors, technicians, and operators to promote a culture of accountability and high performance.
◦ Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate training and development opportunities.
◦ Manage staffing levels and labor allocation to support production goals and customer demand fluctuations.
3. Continuous Improvement:
◦ Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve production processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.
◦ Identify and resolve bottlenecks, downtime, and other production challenges through root cause analysis and corrective action.
◦ Lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives to optimize machine uptime, changeover times, and overall operational efficiency.
4. Quality Assurance:
◦ Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards, as well as customer-specific requirements.
◦ Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to address quality issues, implement corrective actions, and maintain product quality standards.
◦ Support internal and external audits and ensure all corrective actions are implemented effectively.
5. Safety & Environmental Compliance:
◦ Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with OSHA and other regulatory safety standards.
◦ Conduct regular safety inspections and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
◦ Support environmental compliance initiatives and maintain adherence to ISO 14001 standards.
6. Production Equipment & Maintenance:
◦ Oversee the preventive maintenance program for injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment to ensure optimal performance.
◦ Coordinate with maintenance teams to minimize unplanned downtime and ensure quick response to machine failures.
◦ Participate in the specification, purchase, and installation of new machinery, molds, and equipment.
7. Budgeting & Cost Control:
◦ Develop and manage the operations budget, including labor, materials, and overhead expenses.
◦ Identify cost-saving opportunities through process optimization, material efficiency, and waste reduction.
◦ Track and report on financial performance metrics, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints.
8. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
◦ Work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service teams to ensure seamless production planning and execution.
◦ Support new product introductions (NPI) by coordinating mold trials, process validation, and production readiness.
◦ Act as a liaison between the production team and senior management, providing status updates and recommending process improvements.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in injection molding operations, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a Tier 1 automotive supplier environment is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949,