Job Summary Required Qualifications and Skills
We are seeking an experienced Process Lead for a direct hire, onsite opportunity in Buffalo, NY. This role is ideal for a hands-on injection molding professional who enjoys solving complex process issues, improving production efficiency, and helping operators and technicians build stronger technical skills.
The Process Lead will serve as a key technical resource within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, supporting process optimization, equipment performance, operator training, quality improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is a strong opportunity for a candidate who wants to make a measurable impact on safety, quality, productivity, and overall production performance.
This position offers a collaborative work environment with supportive leadership, cross-functional teamwork, and opportunities to contribute to process improvements, new equipment startups, product qualification projects, and employee development. Candidates who are highly analytical, mechanically skilled, and passionate about advanced injection molding operations will find this role especially rewarding.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor, optimize, and document injection molding processes to improve cycle time, cavitation, product quality, and production efficiency.
- Provide technical direction to Process Technicians and Injection Operators while supporting daily production goals.
- Troubleshoot process deviations, equipment issues, material feeding concerns, and molding defects to reduce downtime and improve consistency.
- Develop and maintain process parameters, alarm limits, Master Process Setup Sheets, and related process documentation.
- Create and deliver training plans, competency assessments, and technical development programs for Injection Operators and Process Technicians.
- Partner with Tooling, Maintenance, Quality, Production, vendors, and equipment manufacturers on process improvements, new equipment startups, FATs, SATs, and corrective actions.
Compensation and Benefits
- Pay Rate: $37.00 per hour.
- Job Type: Direct hire.
- Location: Buffalo, NY 14225.
- Work Arrangement: Onsite.
- Lead injection molding process monitoring, optimization, and troubleshooting activities.
- Develop process parameters, setup documentation, alarm settings, and technical standards.
- Support operator and technician training programs, competency assessments, and technical coaching.
- Drive quality, safety, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across production operations.
- 7-10 years of advanced experience working with injection molding machines and processes.
- Strong knowledge of injection molding process optimization, cycle time improvement, cavitation management, and process control.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex molding defects, process deviations, material handling issues, and equipment performance concerns.
- Mechanical knowledge related to injection molding equipment, auxiliary systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems.
- Ability to read and interpret technical blueprints, drawings, and process documentation.
- Experience developing or maintaining process setup sheets, technical records, and production documentation.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
- Ability to communicate effectively with operators, technicians, Shift Leaders, maintenance teams, quality teams, vendors, and management.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Detail-oriented approach with a focus on safety, quality, compliance, and process consistency.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Injection molding courses, certifications, or related technical training.
- Experience supporting new equipment startups, product qualifications, FATs, and SATs.
- Experience working within ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SQF, food safety, or similar quality and compliance environments.
- Experience designing operator training plans, competency assessments, or technical development programs.
- Experience working with equipment manufacturers, mold suppliers, or outside vendors to improve process performance.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans
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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.
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We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.