
Tooling Technician
Sonoco · Chatham, NY
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Sonoco (packaging) in Chatham, NY. From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.
- They ask for
- 5+ years
- Tools it names
- Machining, Injection molding, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 36 other live manufacturing postings in New York.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (5+ vs 3+)
Typical $80k–$104k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 32%
- Root cause 27%
- FDA / GMP 24%
- Lean 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Injection molding, Union environment, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Sonoco
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Sonoco in Chatham
1 other open role at this site.
- Process Technician · Process · Technician
Full description from SonocoAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Wage: $29.32- 34.91/ hr (depends on experience)
Shift: 1st shift-7am-3pm
From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Position: Tooling Technician
Location: Chatham, NY
What You’ll Be Doing
- •Perform preventative maintenance and standard repairs on injection molds in accordance with established schedules and procedures Troubleshoot mold issues
- •Disassemble, inspect, repair, and reassemble molds with minimal supervision
- •Troubleshoot mold-related issues including wear, venting, cooling inefficiencies, and minor component failures
- •Support mold changeovers and provide on-press assistance during startups and troubleshooting events
- •Operate machining equipment (milling machines, lathes, grinders) to complete repairs and minor modifications
- •Perform precision bench work including polishing, fitting, and component adjustments
- •Utilize metrology equipment to verify dimensions and ensure quality standards are met
- •Accurately document maintenance activities, findings, and repair history in CMMS/IQMS systems
- •Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime and improve tooling performance
- •Follow and support all safety, housekeeping, and continuous improvement initiatives
We’d love to hear from you if
- •High School Diploma or equivalent required
- •3–5 years of mold maintenance, machining, or related mechanical experience
- •Ability to read and interpret mold prints, schematics, and technical documentation
- •Working knowledge of machining processes including milling, turning, and grinding
- •Basic to intermediate understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, and hot runner systems
- •Injection molding experience strongly preferred
- •Proficiency in mold maintenance, repair, and preventative maintenance practices
- •Strong working knowledge of metrology and dimensional inspection techniques
- •Ability to troubleshoot basic to intermediate mechanical and tooling issues
- •Understanding of injection molding processes and their impact on tooling performance
- •Effective communication and coordination across production, maintenance, and engineering teams
- •Ability to prioritize tasks and manage workload in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- •You have hands-on experience maintaining and repairing injection molds
- •You are confident in your ability to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical issues
- •You take initiative and can work independently while still collaborating with a team
- •You are committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.
Benefits
- •Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
- •401(k) retirement plan with company match
- •Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
- •Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
- •Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
- •Tuition reimbursement
