POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a Technical Lead to join our dynamic team at Petmate. This role is a critical technical leadership position within the plant, responsible for supporting and guiding daily operations within the technical team including mold and machine start-ups, process control, troubleshooting, changeovers, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Technical Lead will serve as a key resource to operations, engineering, and quality teams by ensuring machines are running within established process parameters, minimizing downtime and scrap, supporting startup and shutdown activities, and driving operational efficiency. This position will also provide day-to-day directions and technical support to team members while promoting a safe, organized, and high-performing work environment.

This role requires strong troubleshooting ability, urgency, communication, and leadership presence, along with a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Floor Support

• Serve as the lead technical resource for technical operations on the assigned shift or within the assigned area.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support to technical team members to ensure priorities are communicated and executed effectively.
• Partner with supervisors, managers, and plant leadership to address daily challenges, establish priorities, and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Support shift-to-shift communication and handoff processes to ensure continuity of operations.
• Fill in for the Technical Supervisor or provide leadership coverage as needed.
• Assist in training and developing team members on process standards, troubleshooting, startup/shutdown practices, safety expectations, and continuous improvement efforts.
  
  

Process Control & Machine Performance

• Program, start up, maintain, and troubleshoot molding machines to ensure consistent product quality and safe operation.
• Set and adjust machine control parameters including temperature, pressure, volume, cycle time, and other processing variables.
• Support all startup and shutdown procedures in accordance with established process sheets and standard work.
• Transfer validated processes from one machine to another, complete setup sheets, and ensure proper document storage and process validation.
• Maintain cycle standards and process conditions on assigned equipment while supporting OEE goals and scrap reduction targets.
• Inspect work cells and machine zones to ensure presses are operating within established process parameters and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot molding defects such as flash, short shots, and color contamination, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Perform color changes and support mold changes to meet production requirements.
• Assist with setup and tuning of robots, sprue pickers, cameras, and related equipment to support productivity and process reliability.
  
  

Downtime, Scrap, and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and help reduce unscheduled downtime, scrap, and manufacturing variances.
• Provide daily visibility and reporting on downtime, scrap, process changes, machine performance, and resin or color usage deviations.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate production and process data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Support production test runs, summarize results, and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
• Document all process changes on required logs, audit sheets, and first piece approval documents.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, maintenance, operations, tooling, planning, and quality to improve machine performance, mold function, changeovers, and product quality.
• Participate in labor and production meetings to identify inefficiencies, discuss quality concerns, and help prioritize corrective actions.
• Coordinate with planning, maintenance, and leadership on major machine, mold, or tooling repairs to minimize disruption to production.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, cycle efficiency, scrap reduction, startup/shutdown effectiveness, and equipment reliability.
  
  

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure machines and molds are running to validated processes and within defined quality standards.
• Communicate quality issues, process deviations, and defects to Quality Technicians, operators, supervisors, and leadership in a timely manner.
• Support corrective actions related to molding and product quality issues.
• Accurately record process parameters, audit results, and production information in required systems and documentation.
• Follow standardized communication processes, procedures, and escalation protocols.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, safety requirements, and operational standards.
  
  

Safety & Housekeeping

• Promote and maintain a safe work environment by modeling safe behaviors and identifying unsafe conditions or work practices.
• Ensure proper use of equipment, materials, and safety procedures.
• Maintain housekeeping and organization within assigned molding areas and around all equipment.
• Assist with basic TPM activities, mold/tool maintenance support, and minor issues such as water leaks when required.
• Notify maintenance and leadership promptly of equipment problems, repairs, or recurring technical concerns.

Other Duties

• Perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor, department manager, or plant leadership.
• Be available to work overtime as needed to support business demands.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and work direction to team members in the technical areas.
• Support execution of daily priorities and help coordinate resources to meet production, quality, and safety goals.
• Mentor operators and technicians on best practices, process discipline, troubleshooting, and equipment care.
• Reinforce accountability, teamwork, communication, and adherence to standard work.
• Help build a positive team environment focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Requirements:

• Strong technical troubleshooting skills in molding processes, machine controls, and related equipment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, drives, and relay systems.
• Ability to identify root causes, solve problems, and implement corrective actions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and shift-to-shift handoff communication.
• Ability to effectively communicate with operators, technicians, supervisors, managers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adapt to changing production needs.
• Demonstrated sense of urgency, accountability, and commitment when supporting machine uptime and product quality.
• Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in English.
• Strong mathematical aptitude and ability to interpret process and production data.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing to overall team success.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and oral instructions and solve practical problems in standardized situations.
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Associate or bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience troubleshooting and programming in at least one of the following: injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion molding.
• Levels will be determined upon experience in injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion molding and certifications.
• RJG Certification (preferred)