Position:  Mold Maintenance Lead – Injection Molding

Location:  Rutland, Vermont

Overview

Carris Reels is a well-established 100% employee-owned company. Carris operates in a highly team-centric collaborative culture with each team member contributing to the success of their business.  As owners, employees share their expertise, mentor others and are there to pitch in when needed.  

·       Click here for a Company overview.

This position is at Carris’ Rutland Plastic Division.  The Plastic Division is a stand-alone manufacturing facility for plastic reels.The injection molding operations utilize presses rated up to 500 tons for component production, while a dedicated extrusion linemanufactures plastic reel cores. The facility also handles reel assembly, inventory management, order fulfillment and a mold maintenance and repair department.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mold Maintenance Lead is responsible for the maintenance and repair of molds used in injection molding processes, ensuring they are in optimal condition for production to include troubleshooting mold issues, performing preventive maintenance, and collaborating with production and engineering teams to maintain high-quality standards and minimize downtime.

You’re a self-starter and will play a key and active role in the upgrade of the mold maintenance department, suggesting and incorporating changes to enhance efficiency thereby expanding the foundation for continued growth of this division.

Essential Functions: 

·       Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

·       Mold Maintenance: 

o   Perform routine and preventive maintenance on molds, including cleaning, lubrication, and part replacement to extend mold lifespan and ensure optimal performance.

·       Troubleshooting & Repair: 

o   Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic issues with molds, implementing solutions to restore functionality and minimize production downtime. 

o   Complete teardowns and rebuild of molds after every production run. 

o   Ability to machine specific replacement parts as needed.

·       Quality Control: Inspect molds and molded parts to ensure they meet quality standards and collaborates with team to implement corrective actions as needed. 

·       Safety & Compliance: Maintain safety standards, ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with OSHA regulations. 

·       Inventory Management: Manage inventory of mold parts, tools, and supplies to ensure availability for maintenance tasks. 

·       Documentation: Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, and mold conditions, updating SOPs and documentation as required. 

·       Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with production and engineering to address mold-related issues and support process improvements. 

·       Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve mold maintenance processes, reduce downtime, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Education

    • High school diploma or equivalent required

    • Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related field preferred. 

  • Experience: 

    • 5+ years of experience in mold maintenance, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role. 

    • Technical Skills: Proficiency in mold repair, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, with the ability to read technical drawings and schematics. 

    • Familiarity with hot runner molds.

    • Basic machining on lathes and mills.

    • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills. 

    • Certifications: RJG Master Molder, Lean Six Sigma, or similar certifications are preferred. 

    • Familiarity with OSHA and ISO 9001 standards, basic computer skills (e.g., ERP systems, MS Office), and a commitment to safety and quality

  • Physical Requirements

    • Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 75 lbs.

    • Work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, heat, and chemicals.

Work Environment: 

  • Full-time, 1st shift. May require other times depending on production needs.

  • Occasional on-call availability for emergency repairs.

Compensation:  $70,000+ flexibility highly dependent upon experience.

Relocation assistance.

They also enjoy an outstanding health care plan and a wide range of other benefits.