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Plastic Manufacturing Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is preferred. * Possess an understanding of blends and how resin is produced from other manufacturers.

Reach Truck Operator

Chester, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $18.75/hr

The facility is a plastic manufacturing and production operation that produces plastic products through various manufacturing and distribution processes. Reach Truck Operators play an important role ...

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Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$90K - $123K/yr

Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and plastic part design considerations * Familiarity with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies Professional Strengths: * Strong ...

Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and plastic part design considerations * Familiarity with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies Professional Strengths: * Strong ...

Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and plastic part design considerations * Familiarity with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies Professional Strengths: * Strong ...

Manufacturing Operator

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$17 - $20.50/hr

Develop recognition of types of plastic defects for products and demonstrate understanding through correct terminology use. * Separate and contain nonconforming products or defects away from good ...

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Plastic Manufacturing information

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How much do plastic manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for plastic manufacturing in Virginia is $11.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.75 and $12.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is plastic manufacturing?

Plastic manufacturing jobs involve the production, shaping, and assembly of products made from plastic materials. Workers in this field may operate machinery, oversee production lines, ensure quality control, and handle raw plastic materials. Positions range from machine operators and technicians to engineers and supervisors. These jobs are essential for creating a wide variety of products used in packaging, automotive, medical, and consumer goods industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in plastic manufacturing?

To thrive in plastic manufacturing, you need a solid understanding of production processes, machinery operation, and quality control, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with injection molding machines, CAD/CAM software, and safety protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this field. These skills ensure efficient production, product quality, and a safe working environment in a highly technical and collaborative industry.

What are some common challenges faced in plastic manufacturing roles, and how can employees effectively address them?

In plastic manufacturing, workers often encounter challenges such as maintaining product quality, minimizing waste, and troubleshooting equipment issues. Adhering to strict safety protocols and quality control standards is crucial, as is staying updated on new machinery and production techniques. Collaborating closely with team members, supervisors, and maintenance staff helps quickly resolve issues and ensures smooth workflow. Continuous training and proactive communication are key to overcoming these challenges and advancing in the industry.

What is the difference between Plastic Manufacturing vs Plastic Fabrication?

AspectPlastic ManufacturingPlastic Fabrication
Primary FocusMass production of plastic products and componentsCustom shaping and assembling of plastic parts
Work EnvironmentFactories with large-scale machineryWorkshops or manufacturing floors with specialized tools
Common CertificationsISO certifications, safety trainingMachinery operation, safety certifications
Industry UsageAutomotive, packaging, consumer goodsPrototyping, custom parts, repairs

Plastic Manufacturing involves large-scale production of plastic items, focusing on creating standardized products using automated processes. Plastic Fabrication, on the other hand, emphasizes custom shaping and assembling plastic parts, often for specialized or small-batch projects. Both roles require knowledge of plastics and safety protocols but differ in scope and work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Plastic Manufacturing jobs in Virginia?

For Plastic Manufacturing jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Plastic Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Plastic Manufacturing job openings:

Infographic showing various Plastic Manufacturing job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $24,784 per year, or $11.9 per hour.

Process Engineer (Manufacturing)

Wytheville, VA • On-site


Lane Enterprises
Construction • 51 - 200 employees

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Good employer

Respectful managers

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$80K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Description
Lane Enterprises is excited to welcome a Process Engineer to their team! As a Process Engineer you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and supporting new and existing manufacturing processes and equipment that ensure process repeatability, product quality, labor efficiency, and cost attainment.
From generous benefits, including bonus opportunities and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), to great employee retention, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a thriving organization!
Benefits: Lane offers a generous benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Pension plan, Flexible Spending, Company paid Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, ESOP opportunity, and a generous bonus incentive plan.
Essential Responsibilities:
    • Increases production efficiencies by identifying productivity improvement opportunities and working with plants to implement these opportunities.
    • Create Preventative Maintenance program and provide project management for effective implementation of optimized processes and equipment.
    • Review the condition of existing manufacturing lines and work with the plant teams to develop and execute equipment/line improvement plans.
    • Support new production tooling runs and changeovers.
    • Train employees as needed.
    • Assist the plant teams in reviewing their equipment needs and helping to prioritize these needs for capital planning purposes.
    • In conjunction with the VP, Facilities Superintendent, manage key equipment installations.
    • Implement and maintain continuous improvement program and drive best practices through standardized processes.
    • Ability to train and drive a culture of continuous improvement methodology. In addition, leading and supporting the plants continuous improvement initiatives.
    • Lead groups to systematically problem solve and identify root causes and permanent corrective action for key manufacturing issues.
    • Develop standard operating procedures for key manufacturing processes.
    • Create technical work instructions for equipment.
    • Provide formal updates and reviews to HDPE Division Manager, on key projects, tooling runs, and improvement activities being implemented.

Requirements
    • Bachelor's degree in industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is preferred.
    • Possess an understanding of blends and how resin is produced from other manufacturers.
    • Proven experience in developing/optimizing equipment/process, in Plastics Manufacturing, specifically Extrusion, Vacuum forming, or Injection Molding.
    • Experience with different types of extruders and an understanding of the Extrusion process, a plus.
    • Clear understanding in the application of statistics, Design of Experiments (DOE), and root cause analysis.
    • Solid analytical & systematic problem-solving skills.
    • Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
    • Experience participating in equipment installations as a project contributor.
    • Proficient in MS Office.
    • Prior experience in plastic manufacturing software a plus (General Ledger, Finance, Parts Inventory).
    • Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer.
    • Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, and extreme noise when working at plant locations.
    • Ability to travel as needed to support plant requirements.
    • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and strong mathematical aptitude.

The base salary for this position is $80,000 - $98,000 per year.


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