Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager

Patrick Industries, a publicly traded company headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, invites you to join a team of dedicated Team Members who are passionate about delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. As a leading solutions provider serving a diverse range of markets across the United States, our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability has positioned us as a high growth, diversified and empowered Team of more than 10,000! Your adventure awaits!

TACO Metals, empowered by Patrick Industries, is seeking an Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager. The Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager is responsible for supporting the technical, operational, and leadership functions of TACO Metals' Plastics Manufacturing Department. This role combines hands-on extrusion engineering expertise with manufacturing operations leadership to ensure efficient production, high product quality, continuous improvement, and workforce development. Working closely with department leadership, the position supports extrusion process optimization, new product launches, production management, employee development, capital planning, and operational excellence while preparing for increased leadership responsibilities within the organization.

Responsibilities & Duties:

Extrusion Engineering & Process Optimization

Develop, implement, optimize, and troubleshoot plastic extrusion processes to improve efficiency, quality, and throughput

Design, evaluate, and improve extrusion tooling, dies, and downstream equipment

Establish and maintain process parameters, operational standards, and manufacturing documentation

Evaluate raw materials, resins, and additives for performance, compatibility, and manufacturability

Support new product development activities, prototype trials, and production launches

Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to quality, process performance, and equipment reliability

Production Management & Manufacturing Operations

Support daily manufacturing operations across all shifts to meet customer requirements and production targets

Assist with production scheduling and monitor manufacturing performance metrics

Identify and implement opportunities to improve uptime, throughput, efficiency, and scrap reduction

Maintain manufacturing standards including BOMs, work instructions, operating procedures, and process documentation

Coordinate activities between Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain teams

Ensure operational objectives are achieved while maintaining safety and quality expectations

Leadership & Workforce Development

Provide technical training, coaching, and mentorship to extrusion operators and production employees

Support employee development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer initiatives

Assist with workforce management activities and daily production team support

Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork

Develop leadership capabilities to support future departmental management responsibilities

Promote employee engagement and effective communication throughout the manufacturing operation

Equipment Reliability & Maintenance Support

Partner with Maintenance to support preventive maintenance programs for extrusion equipment and related systems

Assist in troubleshooting equipment issues and developing corrective actions

Evaluate equipment performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability and productivity

Support equipment upgrades, installations, and operational readiness activities

Participate in capital planning and equipment replacement initiatives

Ensure manufacturing equipment operates safely and efficiently

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, cost performance, and operational efficiency

Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives

Evaluate emerging extrusion technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods

Support waste reduction, process improvement, and cost-control programs

Monitor production metrics and recommend actions to improve business performance

Promote best practices throughout manufacturing operations

Safety, Quality & Compliance

Ensure compliance with company safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements

Support quality management initiatives and corrective action activities

Maintain a safe, clean, and organized manufacturing environment

Promote safe work practices and employee compliance with established procedures

Participate in audits, inspections, and compliance-related activities

Support continuous improvement of safety and quality performance metrics

Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on extrusion experience may be considered

3+ years of experience in plastic extrusion, polymer processing, or related manufacturing environments

Strong knowledge of extrusion processes, tooling, dies, downstream equipment, line setup, troubleshooting, and process optimization

Experience evaluating polymer materials, resins, additives, and manufacturing processes

Experience supporting new product development, production launches, and manufacturing improvement initiatives

Leadership experience or demonstrated leadership potential preferred

Exposure to production scheduling, workforce supervision, and manufacturing operations management preferred

Familiarity with ERP systems, manufacturing documentation systems, and production reporting tools preferred

Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and operational excellence initiatives preferred

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to collaborate effectively with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain teams

Ability to work within a manufacturing environment and support plant-floor operations

Ability to travel up to 10% for training, supplier visits, equipment evaluations, and business-related activities

Align with Patrick Industries “BETTER Together” mentality by pursuing Balance, Excellence, Trust, Teamwork, Empowerment, and Respect within the organization

At Patrick Industries, BETTER Together is our commitment to being our best while striving to bring out the best in one another as we join forces Individually, as Teams, with our Business Units, with our Customers, our Communities and within our entire Patrick family.

Patrick is an Equal Opportunity Employer .