Moulding Machine Setter / Moulding Technician
Location: South Leicestershire Salary: Competitive, depending on experience Shift: Afternoon shift Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
THE OPPORTUNITY
We're recruiting an experienced Moulding Machine Setter / Moulding Technician to join a well-established precision manufacturing business in South Leicestershire.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled injection moulding professional who enjoys hands-on technical work and is ready to take on additional responsibility.
Working on the afternoon shift, you'll play a key role in keeping production running efficiently, ensuring high-quality moulded components are manufactured consistently and to demanding specifications.
You'll also act as the technical lead for a small team of four, making this an attractive opportunity for someone with previous shift leadership experience or an experienced setter looking to take the next step in their career.
The business has an established engineering team, a strong focus on quality and continuous improvement, and a supportive working environment where practical ideas and initiative are valued.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Setting and operating injection moulding machines ranging from approximately 35 to 200 tonnes.
- Installing, changing and setting both insert and full mould tools.
- Setting up new machines and tooling from scratch, optimising processes for consistent quality and dimensional accuracy.
- Working with multi-cavity moulds, hot runner systems and hot tip tooling.
- Adjusting processing parameters to achieve optimum cycle times, repeatability and product quality.
- Carrying out first-off inspections and ensuring components meet required specifications.
- Troubleshooting moulding defects and resolving process or tooling issues.
- Carrying out routine cleaning and basic maintenance of machines and mould tools.
- Monitoring production performance, minimising downtime and ensuring production targets are achieved.
- Providing day-to-day technical guidance and leadership to a small afternoon-shift team.
- Operating multiple moulding machines when required to support production.
- Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency and productivity.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for someone with solid injection moulding experience who understands the importance of precision, consistency and efficient production.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Proven experience setting and operating plastic injection moulding machines, ideally in the 35–200 tonne range.
- Experience with multi-cavity tooling, hot runner and hot tip systems.
- Ability to set up machines and mould tools from scratch.
- Experience optimising moulding processes to achieve consistent dimensional accuracy and repeatability.
- Good understanding of engineering polymers and their processing requirements.
- Ability to diagnose and resolve moulding defects, process issues and tooling problems.
- Experience carrying out first-off inspections and basic quality checks.
- Good understanding of production efficiency, cycle times and quality standards.
- Strong practical problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently, organise priorities and take responsibility for production performance.
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE
- Experience setting and operating Arburg injection moulding machines.
- Previous experience as a Shift Leader, Senior Setter or Lead Moulding Technician.
- Experience working with high-performance or specialist engineering polymers.
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and 5S.
- Experience supporting continuous improvement activities.
- Experience training, mentoring or supervising production operators.
Previous supervisory experience would be an advantage, but isn't essential. We're equally interested in experienced setters and technicians who have the technical ability, confidence and attitude to step into a leadership role.
ABOUT YOU
You'll be a confident, practical and technically capable injection moulding professional who takes pride in producing quality components.
You'll enjoy solving problems, improving processes and making sure production runs smoothly.
As the senior technical person on the afternoon shift, you'll need to be comfortable taking responsibility, supporting colleagues and making sensible decisions when challenges arise.
We're looking for someone who is:
- Self-motivated, reliable and well organised.
- Proactive and comfortable using their own initiative.
- Focused on quality, efficiency and continuous improvement.
- A good communicator who can work effectively with production colleagues and management.
- Positive, adaptable and willing to take ownership.
- Committed to maintaining high standards of safety and housekeeping.
WHY CONSIDER THIS ROLE?
- Permanent position with an established and successful manufacturing business.
- Opportunity to take a leading role on a small, established production shift.
- Hands-on technical work involving precision injection moulding and engineering polymers.
- Responsibility for machine setting, process optimisation and production quality.
- Opportunity to develop your leadership and supervisory skills.
- Work with experienced engineering and production colleagues.
- A business that values practical knowledge, initiative and continuous improvement.
- A stable working environment with opportunities to make a genuine contribution.
INTERESTED?
If you're an experienced Injection Moulding Setter, Moulding Technician or Senior Setter looking for a new opportunity in South Leicestershire, we'd be pleased to hear from you.
Whether you're already leading a shift or looking to take that next step, this could be an excellent opportunity to develop your career.
Apply today to find out more.