Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Production Shift Leader for a direct hire opportunity in Buffalo, NY. This onsite leadership role supports a fast-paced injection molding manufacturing environment and is ideal for a hands-on production leader who enjoys solving technical challenges, developing teams, and driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and equipment performance.

The Production Shift Leader will serve as a key connection between production employees and plant leadership, helping ensure efficient operations, strong communication, and consistent execution across rotating 12-hour shifts. This opportunity offers competitive pay, stability, and the chance to make a visible impact in a collaborative manufacturing setting that values teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead daily injection molding operations by monitoring process parameters, optimizing machine performance, troubleshooting production issues, and maintaining baseline standards.
- Supervise hourly production employees and temporary staff, including shift assignments, attendance, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance support.
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Planning, Quality, and plant leadership to meet production schedules, reduce downtime, and support customer delivery requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, 5S, and overall equipment performance.
- Conduct process audits, support root cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance with company procedures, GMP requirements, and safety standards.
- Support new equipment installations, process development, tooling validation, mold reviews, and collaboration with equipment suppliers.

Compensation and Benefits

- Pay Rate: $35.00 per hour.
- Job Type: Direct hire.
- Location: Buffalo, NY 14225.
- Work Arrangement: Onsite.
- Schedule: Rotating 12-hour shifts every two weeks.
- Day Shift: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Night Shift: 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
- Stable full-time leadership opportunity.
- Opportunity to drive process improvements and operational excellence.
- Collaborative manufacturing environment with growth potential.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Lead injection molding production operations across assigned shifts while maintaining safety, quality, and delivery goals.
- Troubleshoot molding processes, machine performance, resin-related issues, and secondary equipment concerns.
- Supervise, train, coach, and develop production employees while supporting accountability and teamwork.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to reduce downtime, improve processes, and maintain operational standards.

- 5 to 7 years of experience working with injection molding machines in a manufacturing environment.
- Previous leadership experience as a supervisor, shift leader, lead operator, team lead, or similar manufacturing leadership role.
- Strong technical knowledge of injection molding processes, resin behavior, process parameters, and troubleshooting techniques.
- Understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, vision systems, material handling equipment, color feeding systems, and secondary equipment.
- Ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
- Blueprint reading and interpretation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
- Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to coach employees, support training, and promote a safe, positive, and accountable work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

- Associate degree, technical diploma, or related technical certification.
- Additional training in production, manufacturing leadership, injection molding, process improvement, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience supporting mold reviews, product design evaluations, tooling validation, new equipment start-ups, or supplier-driven process improvement projects.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

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.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

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.