Job Description

Join us at Kreg Tool!

Kreg is a proud, employee-owned company headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa that manufactures a wide variety of tools, accessories, and equipment for woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers. We create products that are available throughout North America in the nation’s major home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Menards. Kreg is dedicated to continuously providing opportunities for improvement among our products, employees, and community. We work in a team-based environment where employees are invited to co-create their futures together and truly make a difference. 

With Kreg’s schedule, Operations employees work four, 10-hour days Monday through Thursday. Since Kreg recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, this schedule allows team members the opportunity to fulfill other facets of their life as well. Along with this schedule, we offer a competitive benefits package. In addition to medical, vision, and dental benefits, our package also offers a casual dress code, volunteer time off, onsite fitness center, and an annual bonus opportunity, as well as paid parental leave, and tuition and wellness reimbursement. Will you be our next employee-owner to begin building their career with Kreg? We sure hope so! 

Injection Mold Machine Operator 

The Injection Molding Machine Operator is a pivotal position that encompasses a wide range of responsibilities vital to the efficiency and quality of our injection molding processes. Their services are critical for the setup and operation of injection molding presses and auxiliary equipment, ensuring parts are loaded and unloaded correctly, conducting thorough quality checks, maintaining equipment through cleaning and basic maintenance, executing tool changes, and upholding a clean and well-organized workspace. This person strictly adheres to established procedures while actively seeking opportunities for process improvement, contributing significantly to our commitment to both excellence and safety in the field of injection molding.  

So, What’s the Gig? 

• Adhere to standard operating procedures for setting up and operating injection molding presses and auxiliary equipment.
• Maintain high standards for quality of injection-molded parts.
• Package completed products for shipping and distribution.
• Offer written and verbal feedback on processes, materials, and parts to drive Continuous Improvement.
• Keep the work area clean and well-organized following the 5-S principles.
• Accurately report production data, including scrap, to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Execute weekly production schedules in the Molding department.
• Set up and operate injection molding presses and auxiliary equipment.
• Carry out mold and material changes as required by production schedules.
• Load and unload parts, meticulously check for dimensional correctness.
• Responsible for in-press mold cleaning to ensure mold functionality.
• Perform predictive maintenance tasks on injection molding equipment.
• Complete tool changes and robot setups, including end-of-arm tools.
• Create and maintain setup sheets and troubleshooting guides for all parts.
• Program new molds and make necessary adjustments to existing programs.
• Assist the Molding Lead in training new operators through level 1 and 2 tasks.
• Provide assistance to the Injection Molding Lead and Machine Operators as needed.
• Assist with break coverage when needed.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to cross-train in other areas as required. 

What We’re Looking For:  

• High School diploma/equivalent required.   
• Ability to lift, move, carry, and manipulate loads up to 70lbs.
• 4-6 years of injection molding experience. 
• Completion of RJG Decoupled Molding Workshop (or equivalent level of training).
• Successful testing through Kreg Operator 2 qualification test. 

Other Skills and Abilities We’re Looking For:  

• Flexible problem solver who learns quickly.
• Strong multitasking skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Quality-oriented mindset.
• Adaptability to respond flexibly to changing circumstances.
• Leadership capability to train and mentor Injection Molding Operators.  

Competencies:  

Customer Focus

Having an internal/external customer focus involves prioritizing the needs, preferences, and expectations of customers in a credible way. A person with customer focus works to understand pain points and develop ingenious solutions that are simplified. Having a customer focus ensures an ongoing commitment to prioritizing customer satisfaction in a way that builds long-lasting relationships that in turn drives sustainable growth.          

Authenticity

Authenticity is being genuine and credible while achieving a sense of accomplishment. This involves honesty and transparency in one's actions and interactions while avoiding pretense and deceptions. An authentic person creates meaningful connections, builds trust with others, and achieves a sense of accomplishment that fosters innovation and personal growth.

Courage

Courage is the ability to take assertive action while collaborating with others in a respectful and supportive manner. This involves working collaboratively with others while being confident, proactive, and decisive in the achievement of shared goals. Exercising courage through respectful behavior and supportive action team members can inspire others to act with integrity, use their voice, take risks, and achieve full potential.  

Adaptability

Adaptability involves adjusting to change, diversity, and new ideas while being supportive, respectful, and approachable. It encompasses gracefully navigating evolving circumstances, demonstrating resilience, and actively seeking and incorporating constructive feedback for continuous improvement within the organization.   

Innovation 

Innovation is the process of creating or improving processes and products that are ingenious and fueled by growth mindset. It involves the application of new ideas, methods, or technologies to solve problems, meet customer needs, and create new opportunities that are approachable. Innovative ideas are often the result of thinking outside the box, challenging assumptions, and taking calculated risks.