Plastics Engineering Manager Jobs in Racine, WI (NOW HIRING)

DuPont has a manufacturing leadership opportunity in the Greater Chicago/Milwaukee area for an experienced Unit Manager to lead our Medical Tubing and Converting areas within a regulated medical manufacturing environment, operating within an ISO regulated quality system (ISO 13485) and an ISO certified Class 7 Cleanroom. The role is integral to planning, directing, and coordinating daily execution, people development, process improvement, and operational initiatives. The position engages customers as needed to showcase operations, ensure compliance, and build confidence. The position reports to the Healthcare Director of Operations and will lead an empowered workforce of 110+ Employees and Contractors.
The Unit Manager leads medical production teams to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of daily operations focused on Safety, Performance, Quality, Inventory and Delivery (SQDIP). This role sets and drives the operating system (goals, tiered accountability, and performance cadence) and leverages shared site resources (e.g., EHS, Maintenance, Engineering, and CI/OpEx) to solve problems at the source and improve the unit performance. The Unit Manager sets clear objectives, communicates operational risks, develops and coaches talent, and models DuPont values; accountability, excellence, continuous improvement, customer focus, and a growth mindset.
The ideal candidate brings plastics manufacturing expertise, including a strong working knowledge of polymer processing and extrusion, with experience in medical tubing, converting, and multilayer extrusion. Preferred technical expertise includes hands on or leadership experience with PVC, LDPE, HDPE, PET, and PP resins, enabling effective decision making related to process stability, capability, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Lead daily execution across production, quality, safety, maintenance, materials, and distribution to deliver safe, compliant, efficient performance aligned to DuPont Operational Excellence.
Translate customer demand into operating plans; lead the tiered performance cadence, KPI management, and root cause/closure discipline to ensure stable processes, schedule attainment, and on time delivery.
Lead Lean continuous improvement (standard work, visual management, Gemba, 5S, waste elimination, and structured problem solving) to improve SQDIP and sustain results.
Partner with the Plant Leader and shared site resources (Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, CI/OpEx) to prioritize and execute improvements and approved CAPEX that increase safety, compliance, capacity, and reliability.
Develop and coach the unit leadership team; reinforce a growth mindset and culture of accountability to DuPont values (excellence, continuous improvement, and customer focus).
Own unit long range planning inputs and budgeting; manage spending to forecast and operate within approved parameters.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, labor, and regulatory requirements; maintain audit readiness for internal and external assessments.
Interface with customers/commercial partners as needed and support new product introduction/transfer to manufacturing; ensure prompt escalation, disciplined problem solving, closed loop corrective actions, and stable launches aligned to voice of customer needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline (Business or Finance considered with strong manufacturing experience).
Minimum 8 years of relevant manufacturing experience in a regulated environment (medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or similar), including operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, supply chain, or continuous improvement.
Minimum 2 years of direct people leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience leading Operational Excellence / Lean daily management and applying Lean / Six Sigma tools with measurable, sustained results (e.g., SQDC, OEE, yield/scrap, deviation reduction, lead time, and on time delivery).
Proven ability to partner with the Plant Leader and cross functional shared resources (EHS, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and CI/OpEx) to prioritize, resource, and execute improvements that strengthen customer outcomes and business performance.
Strong working knowledge of safety, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
Candidate preferred to have knowledge and experience with materials used in blown film and medical extrusion.