Blow Molding Technician Manager

OnSite: N. Charleston, SCAmalie Oil Company is North America's largest privately held independent blender of motor oils and industrial lubricants. With production facilities in Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Los Angeles area, Amalie manufactures over 3,000 products and distributes to all 50 states and over 100 countries around the world. Better than it has to be... Since 1903.Are you looking for the right opportunity to establish your career? We are growing and need talented team players to join us!

JOB SUMMARY: The Blow Molding Technician manager will lead technicians on the team in the installation and repair of Blow Molding machines and manufacturing equipment. You will support the Blow Molding team in by designing solutions for difficult problems and managing projects. You will help train and mentor other technicians. Because blow molding depends heavily on high-pressure air, complex hydraulics, and precise thermal control, the manager's role bridges high-level strategic planning with advanced technical oversight. The core responsibilities of a blow molding maintenance manager are divided into several key operational areas:

Equipment & Process Maintenance: Blow Molding Machinery: Oversee the preventative and corrective maintenance of extrusion blow molding (EBM) or injection stretch blow molding (ISBM) machines. This includes managing the wear and tear on clamping units, tie bars, and blow pins. Extruder & Parison Control: Ensure the proper functioning Of heating zones, extruders, screws, and die heads (parison controllers) to avoid material contamination or wall-thickness defects. Auxiliary Systems: Maintain the downstream and upstream infrastructure, including high-pressure air compressors (critical for blowing the plastic), water chillers (for mold cooling), material blenders, and grinders for recycling flash/scrap. Strategic Planning & ReliabilityPM Schedules & CMMS: Build and manage a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). They transition the plant from reactive firefighting to preventive and predictive maintenance, scheduling deep Cleans, seal replacements, and overhauls during planned shutdowns. Toolroom & Mold Management: Coordinate with the toolroom to track mold readiness, cleanings, and repairs. Molds must be inspected for alignment, flashing issues, and cooling line blockages before being mounted. Spare Parts Inventory: Keep critical spares in stock—such as specific heating bands, hydraulic valves, pneumatic cylinders, and PLC modules—to minimize the duration of unscheduled downtime.

Team Leadership & Safety: Technician Training: Recruit, mentor, and upskill a team of technicians in complex fields, including hydraulics. electronics, and PLC troubleshooting. Safety Compliance: Enforce rigorous safety rules, specifically Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures during mold changes, and mandate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working near high-temperature molten plastic or high- pressure lines.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Production Alignment: Partner with the Production Manager to schedule maintenance windows that do not jeopardize customer deadlines. Continuous Improvement: Analyze performance metrics like Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to optimize cycle times, reduce energy consumption, and eliminate recurring machine failures. Additional DutiesTeam Management: Hire, train. schedule, and supervise maintenance technicians and staff. Work Scheduling: Plan daily and weekly maintenance tasks, assign work orders, and prioritize urgent repairs. Preventive Maintenance: Develop and manage routine inspection and servicing programs to prevent unexpected equipment downtime. Contractor Coordination: Hire and oversee third-party vendors and specialized trades people for major projects or complex repairs. Work with production managers to schedule downtime for major repairs, mold changes, and equipment upgrades. Focuses on daily tasks, shift operations, direct technician oversight, and immediate repairs.