5 Different Positions in the Realm of Plastics – Part I

Job Seekers – The plastics production industry may be a great opportunity for your career! Plastics production presents a great variety of positions and specializations within the industry. This level of variety allows for a unique opportunity for specialization as well as easy transference from one position to another.

1. Plastics Press Operator

A plastic press operator visually inspects finished plastic connectors to ensure that they meet proper specifications, tracks precise product counts, and packages products according to company guidelines.

Hard Skills

• Attention to detail and organization.
• Basic math knowledge 
• Documentation skills   

Soft Skills

• Motivated Team Player – press operators must coordinate with other departments to meet production goals.
• Strong Work Ethic – reliable, punctual, committed to excellence.

Training

No prior experience is required for this position, as most companies will train press operators on-site, but experience within the plastics production industry is always a plus.

Certifications  

A PTE (Plastics Technology & Engineering) certificate from the American Injection Molding Institute (AIM) or an NCP (National Certification in Plastics) from the Society of Plastics Industry (SPI), while not required, will place job seekers at the head of the pack when applying for a plastics press operator position.

2. Plastics Process Technician

A plastics process technician is a professional responsible for overseeing and optimizing plastic injection molding processes. This position requires them to set up, monitor, record, and troubleshoot plastic injection molding machines. They will also propose and implement improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety.

Hard Skills

• A strong understanding of plastic materials, their behavior, and processing characteristics—as well as familiarity with quality control principles and practices.
• In-depth knowledge of plastic injection molding machines, molds, and related equipment is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications and generate reports based on process performance.

Soft Skills  

• Communication – plastics process technicians collaborate with engineers, operators, and quality control personnel to achieve production targets and maintain consistent process performance.

Training

Employers prefer applicants with experience as a plastic process technician. They will prioritize candidates with experience in SPC (statistical process control), which involves check sheets, control charts, data stratification, etc., to monitor and maintain process stability and capability.

Certifications

Certifications are key to standing out in a field of applicants. Applicants may want to consider acquiring one of the following –

• Plastics Technology & Engineering (PTE) Certificate program from AIM Institute (American Injection Molding Institute) or ANSI/ASTM (American National Standards Institute and American Society for Testing and Materials, respectively)
• NCP (National Certification in Plastics) from Society of Plastics Industry (SPI).
• Consider specializing further by obtaining a Professional Certification for Injection Molders from Routsis Training.

3. Plastic Mold Set Up Technician

Mold technicians set up injection-molding machines capable of shaping plastic components for products before production begins. Duties include operating, calibrating, and maintaining machinery as they install and remove molds from the machine.  They also connect and configure systems, adjust machine settings, and perform initial test runs.

Hard Skills

• A strong knowledge of mold functions and types is required, as well as common knowledge of molding machine types.   
• Possess an understanding of the basic types of plastic structures, programming, and automation functions for assembly machines.
• Basic math and measuring skills, and an ability to read blueprints and technical specifications.
• Raw material awareness (and how to handle them safely) is necessary. They must also be acquainted with efficiency procedures, able to minimize, and pinpoint waste–reduction processes.
• The ability to keep accurate and meticulous records and adapt to process changes.

Training

Most employers provide on-the-job training. However, obtaining an associate degree or higher in machine operations or materials production, and two or more years of experience working with plastic injection molds, and materials handling is a plus.

Certifications

Like plastics process technicians (2), the following certifications will help plastic mold set-up technician applicants move to the top of the pile.

• Plastics Technology & Engineering (PTE) Certificate program from AIM Institute or ANSI/ASTM.
• Professional Certification for Injection Molders from Routsis Training.
   
  

The plastics industry is a stable, exciting, and ever-evolving industry, offering opportunities and new experiences to dedicated job seekers.

Stay tuned for our next blog, "The Realm of Plastics – Part II." We will discuss positions #4 (Plastic Mold Setter) and #5 (Quality Inspector – Plastics) in our next blog. Meanwhile, you can always delve into the various certifications and check out the postings in Plastics on the Career Concepts Job page.  We’ve been helping the right people find the right job for over 50 years! Give us a call today, and let’s get started!