Overview

Thermoplastic Injection Molding Leader fitchburg, MA 01420Director, ManufacturingFitchburg, 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. QualificationsRequired 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 perf