Director of Molding Production

the LEGO Group•Richmond, VA

4d•$158,376 - $237,564•Hybrid

About The Position

Lead the future of injection molding at LEGO Manufacturing Virginia by driving high-volume production, automation, and operational excellence, while encouraging innovation, efficiency, and a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a rapidly scaling manufacturing environment. The Molding Production department at LEGO Manufacturing Virginia is at the heart of redefining raw materials into the iconic LEGO bricks that inspire creativity worldwide. This department is pivotal in ensuring that production processes are efficient, safe, and aligned with the highest quality standards. By implementing innovative technologies and lean manufacturing principles, the team drives innovation and operational excellence, contributing significantly to LEGO's global manufacturing success. The Director of Molding Production plays a crucial role in supporting the broader organization by leading efforts to optimize production capabilities and enhance resource utilization. By fostering collaboration across maintenance, engineering, planning, and quality teams, the Director ensures seamless operations and continuous improvement. This role not only drives the strategic goals of the molding function but also contributes to LEGO's mission of delivering exceptional products that delight customers and support the company's long-term growth and sustainability.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
Experience in injection molding or high-volume manufacturing along with relevant leadership experience.
Strong technical knowledge of injection molding equipment, tooling, materials handling, and automated systems.
Proven experience in lean manufacturing, operational perfection, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with a track record of leading high-performing teams.
Exceptional problem-solving abilities and experience in handling change in fast-paced environments.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, capable of liaising between production teams and senior leadership.
Experience in collaborating cross-functionally with maintenance, engineering, planning, and quality teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a start-up or ramp-up manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP), production planning tools, and critical metric dashboards.
Exposure to global manufacturing networks or cross-regional collaboration.
Proven track record to take initiative and recognize opportunities for improvement.
Thrives in a team setting and contributes optimally to collaborative efforts.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sophisticated data and drive strategic decisions.
Creative problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.

Responsibilities

Lead a high-performing team across molding production, color and mold changeovers, and raw material/equipment logistics.
Ensure safe working practices and compliance with EHS standards across all shifts and modules.
Translate strategic goals into daily operations, driving performance to meet or exceed critical metrics for safety, quality, efficiency, and output.
Collaborate closely with maintenance, engineering, planning, and quality teams to reduce downtime and optimize resource utilization.
Implement and sustain lean manufacturing principles (e.g., 5S, value stream mapping) to drive efficiency and waste reduction.
Act as a key liaison between production teams and senior leadership, communicating progress, risks, and improvement plans.
Evaluate staffing needs, support talent development, and foster a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.