KWC Process Technician

TYPICAL DUTIES:

• Serve as a technical resource for injection molding process troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Respond to production, operator, and Quality concerns involving injection molding equipment, tooling, materials, and processes.Troubleshoot molding defects, process variations, equipment conditions, and other issues affecting product quality or production efficiency.
• Oversee and support the initial startup of injection molding processes until stable, repeatable production conditions have been established.
• Set up, monitor, evaluate, and adjust injection molding process parameters to maintain consistent product quality.
• Monitor process conditions and make appropriate adjustments based on equipment performance, material characteristics, quality requirements, and production data.
• Utilize an analytical and systematic approach to process troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE), screening exercises, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and other analytical methods when evaluating process conditions and improvements.
• Analyze real-time production and process data to identify trends, abnormalities, and opportunities for improvement.
• Use production and quality data to make informed process adjustments that improve quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost.
• Identify root causes of process-related defects and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Assist in reducing scrap, cycle times, downtime, and other manufacturing inefficiencies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to injection molding processes, equipment, tooling, automation, and material handling.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of injection molding machines, process controllers, auxiliary equipment, and automation systems.
• Work with a variety of plastic resins, including commodity and engineering-grade materials, with particular emphasis on polypropylene.
• Verify proper material handling, drying, blending, and delivery conditions when applicable to the molding process.
• Assist with process development and validation for new molds, materials, equipment, products, and process changes.
• Establish and maintain appropriate processing parameters and process documentation.
• Document process changes, troubleshooting activities, equipment concerns, and corrective actions as required.
• Communicate process conditions and technical concerns to Production, Quality, Maintenance, and management.
• Work with Maintenance personnel when equipment-related conditions contribute to process or quality problems.
• Assist operators and production personnel with understanding proper process conditions and recognizing potential production issues.
• Follow established quality procedures and ensure process changes do not negatively affect product specifications or customer requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all company safety policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Able to work in various work environments (inside/outside)
• Proper use of various equipment and job-related tools
• Prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, stretching, pushing, pulling, climbing or kneeling
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time