A vacancy exists for an experienced Injection Moulding Machine Setter within a plastics manufacturing environment.

Reporting to the Production Manager, the successful candidate will coordinate shift production activities, manage the setting and optimisation of injection moulding machines and ancillary equipment, and ensure that production objectives are achieved without compromising quality, delivery, safety or environmental requirements.

The position requires strong technical knowledge, leadership ability, sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to work independently in a high-pressure production environment.

The successful candidate will have the authority to stop production, delivery or process activities where required procedures or quality standards are not achieved.

Position Details

Location: Port Elizabeth
Working Hours: Shift work
Contract Type: Permanent
Remuneration: Market-related, based on qualifications, technical competence and relevant experience
Applications Closing Date: 17 July 2026

The successful candidate must be available for overtime and after-hours production call-outs when operational requirements demand it.

Key Responsibilities

Production and Process Control

• Coordinate production personnel and allocate equipment, people and other resources according to shift requirements.
• Set, start up, monitor and optimise injection moulding machines and associated ancillary equipment.
• Maximise the effective use of process equipment and personnel to achieve production, cycle-time and delivery targets.
• Ensure products are manufactured according to the approved production schedule.
• Ensure products meet customer quality and delivery requirements.
• Ensure production documentation, including setting sheets, inspection instructions, packaging requirements and transport details, is available, adequate and followed.
• Provide operational support to other machine setters when required.
• Assist the Stores Controller when reasonably required.

Quality, Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with the applicable Quality Management System, procedures and approved production practices.
• Monitor and achieve agreed production KPIs, including scrap percentage, cycle time, output and efficiency targets.
• Promote quality achievement and process-performance improvement throughout the production area.
• Review non-conforming products together with the Quality Department.
• Ensure effective containment and corrective action are implemented to prevent recurrence.
• Drive adherence to standardised work and approved quality methods.
• Stop production, delivery or process activities where procedures or quality standards are not being achieved.

People Coordination and Leadership

• Coordinate and direct production personnel during the assigned shift.
• Work closely with assistant machine setters, operators, warehouse personnel and departmental managers.
• Provide clear work instructions and direction to production employees.
• Assist with the practical training and development of personnel.
• Apply problem-solving techniques to support production and quality improvements.
• Address resistance to required processes, quality standards and working methods.
• Ensure employees comply with production standards, procedures and work instructions.

Health, Safety, Environment and Housekeeping

• Take responsibility for the health and safety of production personnel within the assigned area.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental management requirements.
• Maintain good housekeeping and orderly working conditions throughout the production area.
• Ensure approved safety controls and personal protective equipment requirements are followed.
• Ensure safe working practices are applied when working with lead-containing products, alcohol-based chemicals, cleaning agents and solvents.

Operational Governance

• Work independently and exercise sound judgement with limited supervision.
• Attend relevant production and operational meetings.
• Provide accurate information regarding production performance, problems and resource requirements.
• Comply with applicable company policies, procedures and departmental practices.
• Carry out lawful and reasonable work-related instructions issued by management.
• Perform related duties appropriate to the level, status and experience of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Level 4 Plastics Federation Injection Moulding Machine Setting Certificate, stated as NQF Level 6 in the source job description.

A recognised equivalent injection moulding qualification may be considered.

Training in structured problem-solving techniques will be advantageous.

Experience

At least three years’ relevant experience in injection moulding machine setting and process optimisation.

Previous shift-supervisory or production-team coordination experience.

Previous experience within a plastics manufacturing environment.

Practical experience working with injection moulding ancillary equipment.

Experience working with setting sheets, work instructions, inspection requirements and production KPIs.

Experience reviewing non-conforming products and supporting corrective-action activities.

Skills and Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Injection moulding machine setting and start-up.
• Machine changeovers and process optimisation.
• Fault finding and structured problem-solving.
• Production planning and shift coordination.
• Resource allocation and production control.
• Interpretation and application of setting sheets.
• Understanding of inspection instructions and packaging requirements.
• Monitoring of scrap, cycle time, output and production KPIs.
• Understanding of Quality Management System requirements.
• Understanding of environmental, health and safety requirements.
• Non-conformance control and corrective-action support.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership and coordination ability.
• Assertiveness and confidence in enforcing production standards.
• Attention to detail.
• Sound decision-making.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Strong planning and organisational ability.
• Clear verbal communication.
• Ability to work across departments.
• Reliability and accountability.
• Ability to work without close supervision.
• Adaptability and willingness to support changing production requirements.

Additional Requirements

Must be legally entitled to work in South Africa.

Must be willing and able to work shifts.

Must be available for overtime when required.

Must be available for after-hours production call-outs when necessary.

Must be able to operate effectively in a high-pressure manufacturing environment.

Must be willing to stand in for another setter during absenteeism or operational shortages.

Must comply with all required health, safety and environmental controls.

Must be able to work in an environment where lead-containing products, chemicals, solvents and cleaning agents may be present.

Transport Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to report reliably for scheduled shifts, overtime and after-hours call-outs.

Own transport is required.

Relocation Support

No relocation support is offered.

Applications

Applications close on 20 July 2026.

Use the application button below to submit your application.