Aerospace and Defense, Automation, Continuous Improvement, Firefighting, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Injection Molding, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Molding Processes, Operational Improvement, Operations Management, Operations Processes, Performance Metrics, Plastics Manufacturing, Preventative Maintenance, Procedure Implementation, Process Control Engineering, Process Engineering, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Quality Management, Regulatory Compliance, Safety Compliance, Safety Process, Startup, Systems Maintenance, Warehousing
Job Title: Head of Manufacturing
Industry: Plastics Manufacturing
On-site Location: Montgomery, AL
Relocation Provided: Yes
Salary Range: Depends on experience
Job Overview:
The Head of Manufacturing is responsible for leading and stabilizing all production operations within the plant. This role ensures safe, efficient, and predictable manufacturing performance across injection molding, automation, maintenance coordination, quality execution, and material flow.
This position serves as the Plant Manager's operational right hand, owning daily plant execution, workforce alignment, and production discipline.
Minimum Requirements:
- 6+ years of manufacturing experience with 3+ years in a senior production leadership role
- Must have strong experience in injection molding operations
- Deep understanding of production flow, automation, and molding processes
- Proven ability to stabilize and improve underperforming operations
- Strong leadership presence with a hands-on operational mindset
- Experience in automotive, aerospace/defense, or similar environments working with ISO and other compliance standards
- Experience with automation expansion initiatives
- Background in continuous improvement methodologies (OEE, scrap reduction, etc.)
- Experience supporting program launches and PPAP processes
- Strong data-driven decision-making capability
Responsibilities:
Production Stability and Execution
- Ensure daily production targets are achieved safely and consistently
- Lead injection molding operations, including scheduling, machine utilization, and workforce efficiency
- Drive shift stability and eliminate reactive “firefighting” behaviors
- Ensure strong startup discipline and effective shift handoffs
- Oversee mold changeovers and automation integration
Workforce Leadership and Accountability
- Build and lead a strong production leadership team
- Establish and track KPIs for supervisors and technical staff
- Promote accountability, ownership, and structured communication
- Improve workforce stability and reduce turnover
- Support training and skill development initiatives
Process and Operational Discipline
- Enforce process control standards
- Partner with Process Engineering to ensure robust, repeatable processes
- Coordinate preventive maintenance with production needs
- Reduce scrap, downtime, and rework through operational rigor
- Promote data-driven decision-making
Continuous Improvement and Efficiency
- Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Reduce scrap and improve first-pass yield
- Optimize labor allocation and shift balance
- Improve material flow between the warehouse and production
- Support automation and labor efficiency initiatives
Customer and Launch Support
- Ensure readiness for new program launches
- Support PPAP builds and production ramp-ups
- Participate in customer visits as operational lead
- Ensure execution meets customer timing and quality expectations
Safety and Compliance
- Promote a zero-incident safety culture
- Ensure adherence to all safety procedures
- Maintain compliance with quality systems and internal standards
- Keep production areas audit-ready at all times
A
Ascend Recruiting Partners