Plastics Technician

The Plastics Technician is responsible for the safe operation, setup, troubleshooting, changeovers, preventative maintenance, and quality of the blow molding equipment within the Plastics Department. This role plays a key part in ensuring plastic bottles are produced safely, efficiently, and meet all quality standards to support production schedules.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on blow molding experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and be comfortable diagnosing equipment issues, performing mechanical adjustments, and minimizing downtime. This position will also provide day-to-day guidance to temporary employees working within the department while promoting a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Essential Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot blow molding machines and auxiliary equipment to maximize uptime and production efficiency.
• Perform machine startups, shutdowns, product changeovers, and equipment adjustments.
• Complete preventative maintenance and basic mechanical repairs on blow molding equipment.
• Identify equipment issues quickly and work to resolve mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and process-related problems.
• Perform quality inspections to ensure bottles meet company specifications for appearance, dimensions, and performance.
• Monitor production performance and make process adjustments to improve efficiency while reducing scrap.
• Maintain accurate production, quality, and maintenance documentation.
• Assist with mold changes and setup activities.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area while following all company safety policies and procedures.
• Train and provide guidance to temporary employees assisting in the Plastics Department.
• Communicate equipment concerns, production issues, and quality observations to leadership.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and waste reduction.
• Support department goals by meeting daily production targets and minimizing downtime.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Must Have

• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting blow molding equipment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot production equipment.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, SOPs, and safety procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills for production documentation.

Preferred

• Technical school, apprenticeship, or Associate degree in Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience operating blow molding equipment.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programs.
• Experience with plastics manufacturing, packaging, beverage, food manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods (CPG).
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or Six Sigma.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb, and perform repetitive movements throughout a 12-hour shift.
• Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment safely.
• Ability to work in a loud manufacturing environment with appropriate hearing protection.
• Ability to work in hot, humid, and industrial manufacturing conditions.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work overtime and weekends as business needs require.
• Regular, reliable, in-person attendance.