Injection Molding Operator / Assistant in the Netherlands

Pay snapshot (gross)

Typical base gross rate for this role is €14.5–€18.5/hour, depending on experience, plant complexity, province, and the applicable company/industry agreement (CAO).

What affects your gross hourly rate

• Experience level: assistant vs. autonomous operator.
• Shift pattern: day vs. 2/3 shifts (allowances often apply).
• Production standards: tighter tolerances and documentation may pay higher.
• Overtime & premiums: depend on project rules/CAO and scheduling.

Role overview

Category: Production & Manufacturing

Typical sites: injection molding halls, finishing/packing zones, QC points.

Common schedule: day shifts or rotating shifts (project-dependent).

Hiring story: where this role fits

Many NL plants run molding presses around the clock. When volume rises, teams need reliable assistants who keep parts flowing: remove and trim components, pack correctly, spot defects early, and keep stations clean. Strong assistants often become line “go-to” people and can grow into operator tasks such as basic parameter checks and supporting mold-change preparation (under supervision).

A day in the molding area (day-to-day workflow)

1. Start-of-shift checks

   Put on PPE, review safety notes, confirm your station (press/finishing/packing) and quality criteria.

2. Part handling & finishing

   Remove parts safely, trim sprues/flash where required, and keep parts protected from damage or contamination.

3. Basic quality checks

   Visual inspection (surface, short shots, burn marks), count/weight checks, and alert the operator if defects appear.

4. Packing & labeling

   Pack to spec, label correctly, and keep traceability paperwork simple and accurate.

5. Housekeeping & handover

   Maintain a clean station, segregate scrap, and hand over open issues to the next shift.

Responsibilities (what you’ll do)

• Support injection molding operations: safe removal/handling, trimming, and packing.
• Keep the line clean (5S mindset) and follow safety rules around hot parts and moving equipment.
• Perform basic checks: visual inspection, counting, simple measurements (as instructed).
• Report machine alarms, stoppages, or recurring defects to the operator/lead.
• Prepare materials and packaging components to avoid downtime.

Note: figures above are indicative for this role type and always shown as gross (brutto). Final terms depend on assignment conditions and your verified experience.

Requirements (what you need)

• Readiness for shift work (day/evening/night depending on the plant).
• Good manual skills and attention to detail (repetition with quality discipline).
• Basic communication in English for safety instructions and handovers.
• Ability to follow work instructions (pack specs, defect examples, labeling rules).
• CV in English is required for review and selection.

Nice-to-have skills

• Injection molding / plastics production experience (even short-term).
• Experience with visual QC, basic measuring tools, or traceability paperwork.
• Forklift/EPT familiarity (only if the site requires it).
• Comfort in warm/noisy industrial environments while using PPE.

Candidate snapshot

You are a good fit if you…

• can keep pace without sacrificing quality (steady, repeatable output).
• notice small defects early and speak up quickly.
• follow safety habits automatically (PPE, no shortcuts, clean area).
• can handle routine tasks for long runs and stay focused.
• are comfortable with shift schedules and clear handovers.
• respect packing/label rules and basic production documentation.

This role is not for you if you…

• avoid repetitive work or lose focus on detail.
• do not want shift work or strict safety rules on site.
• expect an office-like environment (plants can be warm/noisy).
• prefer working without clear instructions or quality checks.

Working conditions & standards (NL)

• Safety & PPE: safety shoes are common; gloves/eye protection depends on station and material.
• Environment: molding halls can be warm; finishing areas may be cleaner and more controlled.
• Cleanliness: stations are kept orderly (5S/housekeeping expectations are typical).
• Tools: basic hand tools for finishing/packing; specialized tasks (mold changes) are supervised.
• Transport/accommodation: depends on project; if offered, conditions are confirmed during onboarding.
• Probation / deductions: may apply depending on contract and site rules; always confirmed before start.

On many sites, rules include restrictions on jewelry/loose items near moving parts and strict reporting of incidents/near-misses.

Documents & work eligibility (Netherlands)

• Identity: valid passport/ID.
• CV: English preferred; add any production/plastics experience and certifications.
• Right to work: for EU/EEA candidates, access is generally straightforward; for non-EU candidates, work authorization is typically employer-sponsored and depends on your profile and the assignment.
• Checks: some plants require basic background/eligibility checks or site onboarding tests.
• Language: basic English for safety and coordination is commonly expected.

For questions, use the contact page: https://mavial.pl/kontakt.html.