Injection Mould Setter / Operator

Injection Moulding Setter / Operator – Permanent Nights

Location: Leicestershire Salary: £32,000 per annum Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00pm – 6:00am Shift: Permanent Nights Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

5S Recruitment is working with an established plastics manufacturer in Leicestershire to recruit an experienced Injection Moulding Setter / Operator for its permanent night shift.

This is a hands-on position within a busy manufacturing environment, suited to someone who understands injection moulding processes, can confidently set and operate machinery and has the practical ability to identify and resolve production issues.

The manufacturing facility operates a range of Arburg and Krauss Maffei injection moulding machines, ranging from 50 to 420 tonnes, with Arburg machinery making up the majority of the production equipment.

Working as part of a small night shift team of five, you'll be responsible for maintaining efficient production, completing tool changes, responding to machine alarms and ensuring that manufactured components consistently meet the required quality standards.

The role also offers additional responsibility, supporting the Night Shift Team Leader with the day-to-day running of production and providing supervisory cover during periods of absence.

We're looking for someone who is comfortable being hands-on, takes ownership of their work and understands the importance of keeping production running safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

Injection Moulding & Machine Setting

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Set, operate and monitor injection moulding machines in accordance with production schedules, setting sheets and manufacturing requirements.

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Carry out tool changes, machine start-ups and process adjustments to maintain efficient production.

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Work with Arburg and Krauss Maffei injection moulding machinery ranging from 50 to 420 tonnes.

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Complete tool changes as required, with workloads varying between shifts. Some nights may involve no changes, while others could require up to five.

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Identify and rectify processing faults, including issues affecting component quality, machine performance and production cycles.

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Respond promptly to machine alarms, investigating faults and taking appropriate corrective action.

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Set up and operate ancillary equipment and secondary operations machinery, including automated production lines.

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Monitor machine settings, cycle times and production output to maintain consistent manufacturing standards.

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Ensure machinery and tooling are operated safely and within established processing parameters.

Quality Control & Production Monitoring

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Carry out first-off, last-off and routine in-process inspections to ensure components meet customer specifications.

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Identify non-conforming products and follow the appropriate segregation and quarantine procedures.

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Complete production records, quality documentation, machine logs and setting sheets accurately.

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Record and communicate processing faults, tooling issues and any adjustments made during production.

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Maintain traceability and adhere to established quality management procedures, including ISO 9001 requirements.

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Take appropriate action to minimise scrap, rework and unnecessary production downtime.

Shift Support & Team Coordination

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Work closely with the Night Shift Team Leader to ensure production priorities and daily targets are achieved.

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Assist with the operation and monitoring of automated production lines when required.

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Provide cover for the Team Leader during holidays and other periods of absence, including organising the small night shift team and coordinating production activities.

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Allocate and prioritise work where necessary to maintain production continuity.

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Communicate effectively with colleagues, management and incoming shifts regarding production progress, outstanding issues and operational priorities.

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Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, housekeeping and waste reduction.

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Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment in accordance with company procedures.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

Previous hands-on experience setting and operating plastic injection moulding machines.Formal injection moulding setter training or equivalent practical industry experience.

A sound understanding of injection moulding processes, tooling and machine operating principles.

Experience carrying out tool changes, machine start-ups and basic process adjustments.

Ability to identify and resolve common moulding faults and respond effectively to machine alarms.

Experience completing quality inspections and accurately recording production information.

Confidence working independently and making practical decisions within established operating procedures.

Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a small production team.

A reliable, safety-conscious approach with good attention to detail.

Willingness to work a fixed permanent night shift.

Desirable

Experience operating Arburg injection moulding machines.

Familiarity with Krauss Maffei machinery.

Experience working with automated production lines, robotic handling systems or ancillary moulding equipment.

Previous experience supporting a Team Leader, supervising colleagues or coordinating production activities.

Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems and automotive manufacturing standards.

Experience operating secondary machinery, including ultrasonic welding, drilling or inserting equipment.

Understanding of production planning, scrap reduction and continuous improvement.

Relevant Injection Moulding Technology (IMT) or polymer processing qualifications.

The Working Pattern

This position operates on a fixed permanent night shift:

Monday to Friday – 10:00pm to 6:00am

You'll be joining a small, established night shift team of five employees, including yourself, where teamwork, reliability and the ability to respond to changing production demands are particularly important.

The number of tool changes will vary depending on production requirements, so flexibility and a practical approach to managing workloads are essential.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join an established plastics manufacturing business with a varied production environment and a strong emphasis on quality, efficiency and technical capability.

You'll gain exposure to a range of injection moulding machinery, with the opportunity to further develop your setting and processing knowledge while taking on additional responsibility within a small, experienced team.

For someone who enjoys hands-on engineering, fault-finding and keeping production running, the position offers a stable working pattern alongside the opportunity to demonstrate leadership potential.

The Selection Process

Suitable applicants will be invited to attend an on-site interview and practical assessment.

The assessment will provide an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of injection moulding processes, machine setting, fault identification and general production knowledge.

Candidates are not expected to know every machine or process, but should be able to demonstrate relevant practical experience, sound technical understanding and a willingness to learn.

Apply

If you're an experienced Injection Moulding Setter, Setter / Operator or Plastics Technician looking for a permanent night shift position in the Leicestershire area, we'd be interested in speaking with you.

Apply today or contact 5S Recruitment for a confidential discussion.

5S Recruitment specialises in engineering, manufacturing and plastics recruitment across the UK