Plastic Processing Engineer

Role details

Position Summary

Norton Packaging is seeking an experienced and hands-on Plastic Processing Engineer to provide technical and operational leadership for the Plastic Processing Department at our Indiana manufacturing facility. This position will be responsible for leading department employees, optimizing plastic processing operations, troubleshooting process and equipment issues, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

The Plastic Processing Engineer will work closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to ensure safe, efficient, consistent, and reliable plastic processing operations. This position will maintain a strong presence on the production floor and provide hands-on technical support, direction, and leadership to the Plastic Processing Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Plastic Processing Department employees while establishing performance expectations and supporting employee development.

• Plan, prioritize, assign, and monitor daily department activities based on production requirements, safety, quality, and business priorities.

• Establish, monitor, and optimize plastic processing parameters to achieve consistent production, quality, efficiency, and product performance.

• Troubleshoot processing issues involving temperature, pressure, speed, material flow, cooling, dimensions, appearance, and other process conditions.

• Monitor and evaluate plastic resins, additives, colorants, recycled materials, and other processing materials and assist with material-related issues.

• Work closely with Production and other departments to support production schedules, resolve processing issues, minimize downtime, and maintain efficient operations.

• Partner with Quality to investigate process-related quality concerns and support corrective and preventative actions.

• Develop, maintain, and improve processing standards, procedures, setup instructions, operating parameters, and work instructions.

• Monitor production performance, including productivity, scrap, waste, downtime, cycle times, process conditions, and quality, and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce scrap, waste, rework, downtime, and other process-related losses.

• Work with Maintenance and other departments to troubleshoot and improve processing equipment, tooling, molds, dies, temperature control systems, material handling systems, and related equipment.

• Assist with the development, testing, validation, and implementation of new or modified processing methods, materials, products, equipment, tooling, and process parameters.

• Conduct or participate in root cause investigations and develop appropriate corrective actions for processing, production, quality, equipment, material, and tooling issues.

• Plan, conduct, and document process trials and testing related to new materials, process changes, equipment modifications, tooling, and product improvements.

• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on productivity, quality, safety, employee performance, material utilization, and cost efficiency.

• Assist with the development and implementation of employee training related to processing procedures, equipment, process parameters, quality requirements, safety, and job responsibilities.

• Maintain accurate process documentation, production information, process parameters, setup information, reports, procedures, and work instructions.

• Communicate processing priorities, production issues, process changes, quality concerns, and project status to Plant Management and appropriate departments.

• Provide leadership and direction during process interruptions, equipment problems, material issues, and other production emergencies.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of plastic processing, manufacturing processes, production operations, and related equipment.

• Knowledge of plastic materials and processing variables, including temperature, pressure, speed, material flow, cooling, and other conditions affecting product quality and performance.

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Previous experience leading or supervising employees in a manufacturing or plastics processing environment is preferred.

• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures, OSHA requirements, company policies, and required PPE procedures.

• Strong communication, organization, planning, and teamwork skills.

• Ability to work effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Purchasing, and other departments.

• Ability to analyze production information and identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.

• Basic mathematical and computer skills.

Work Schedule

This is an onsite position supporting Plastic Processing Department operations and production activities. The Plastic Processing Engineer must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including overtime and adjusted work hours, as needed to support production requirements, process improvements, employee coverage, and overall plant operations.

Physical Requirements

The Plastic Processing Engineer must be able to regularly stand and walk, use hands and fingers to operate tools, equipment, and computers, reach with hands and arms, and work around manufacturing and plastic processing equipment.

The position may require bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling materials, tools, or equipment as needed. The employee must be able to safely access production areas, processing equipment, tooling, and material handling systems to observe operations, troubleshoot issues, inspect equipment or materials, and oversee department activities.

Work Environment

The Plastic Processing Engineer will work throughout the production environment, including plastic processing areas, equipment areas, offices, and other areas of the facility. The position may involve exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical equipment, loud noise, heat, cold, wet or humid conditions, dust, plastic materials, chemicals, fumes, work at heights, and other manufacturing-related hazards.

Required personal protective equipment must be worn as applicable, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hair nets, and other required PPE.

The Plastic Processing Engineer is expected to maintain a regular presence on the production floor and provide hands-on technical support, direction, and leadership to Plastic Processing Department employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Norton Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legally protected status.