Lead Blow Mold Operator - 3rd Shift

KIK Consumer Products•Salem, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re seeking an experienced, hands-on Lead Blow Mold Operator (10:00pm – 6:30am, Monday–Thursday with weekends per business need) to help lead safe, efficient blow molding operations. As a working lead, you’ll serve as a technical resource and first point of support for the team while operating, setting up, and troubleshooting blow molding equipment. You’ll coordinate daily work assignments, support start-ups and changeovers, coach operators, monitor quality and production performance, and partner with Production, Maintenance, and Quality to minimize downtime and keep lines running safely and efficiently. This role is ideal for an experienced blow molding professional who enjoys solving problems, developing others, and driving continuous improvement. This position has an hourly rate of $29.87 plus a $1.00 shift differential.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
3 or more years of hands-on blow molding experience in a manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with machine start-ups, shutdowns, mold changes, bottle-size changeovers, process adjustments, and troubleshooting
Working knowledge of HDPE processing, material compounding and mixing, regrind, grinders, and related auxiliary equipment
Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose equipment and process issues and make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment
Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide day-to-day direction to team members while maintaining positive working relationships
Strong commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement
Ability to read and follow work instructions, production specifications, safety procedures, and equipment documentation and to complete required production records
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and/or manufacturing production systems
Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, holidays, or alternate shifts as business needs require

Nice To Haves

prior lead, senior operator, trainer, or informal leadership experience preferred
Experience with Uniloy blow molding equipment and programmable parison controls strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day blow molding activities for assigned lines or shift, coordinate work assignments and staffing coverage, and serve as the first point of support for operators
Operate blow molding equipment from cold start through full production; perform machine setups, mold and bottle-size changeovers, shutdowns, and adjustments to machine and process parameters
Troubleshoot blow molders and auxiliary equipment, identify mechanical or process issues, complete minor adjustments and basic preventive maintenance, and escalate complex repairs to Maintenance as needed
Monitor production performance, downtime, scrap, and throughput; take timely corrective action and communicate issues, priorities, and shift handoffs to the appropriate teams
Perform and verify routine quality checks, including bottle weight, appearance, dimensions, color, and other product specifications; adjust machine profiles and process settings to maintain quality standards
Operate and support auxiliary equipment such as trimmers, leak testers, bag/debag tables, cooling beds, grinders, and related material-handling systems
Train, coach, and support operators on equipment operation, troubleshooting, safety requirements, quality standards, standard work, and changeover procedures
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), OSHA requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), PPE, hazardous materials procedures, and company safety policies
Maintain accurate production, downtime, quality, scrap, and compliance documentation and ensure required records are completed for the shift
Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and other teams to resolve recurring issues, improve equipment reliability, reduce waste, and support continuous improvement initiatives
Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area and ensure proper handling of waste oil, wastewater, regrind, and other materials in accordance with plant procedures