JOB SUMMARY:
Leads and manages the Toolroom and Changeover Departments to troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and change over all tooling as needed. Ensures tools operate in optimal condition and at full cavitation levels. Drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, communication, and overall departmental performance while maintaining safety and quality standards.
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS:
The primary or essential functions of the position include the following. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Leadership & Execution
- Lead and manage Toolroom and Changeover personnel.
- Reviews tooling needs daily, in collaboration with production, Engineering, and Lead Toolmaker, and prioritizes work across the departmental team.
- Routine/daily site check-ins to support Toolroom and Changeover teams.
- Ensure adherence to practices/processes and consistency across the team and facilities.
- Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and developing team members.
- Mentor employees to improve mold setup accuracy, machining practices, and troubleshooting skills.
- Ensure all employees operate machinery, equipment, and tools safely.
- Ensure effective communication between Toolroom, Changeover, Engineering, and other manufacturing areas.
- Promote and lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies (AI, digital tracking, equipment/tools, etc
- Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Collaboration & Quality Support
- Collaborate with engineers, production personnel, quality, and others to troubleshoot and generate solutions.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing Management to develop corrective actions for quality non-conformances.
- Maintain focus on tool performance, cavitation integrity, and production uptime.
- Coordinate mold maintenance scheduling with the Molding Manager/production.
Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain flexibility in work schedule to support team success.
- Travel as needed to suppliers and the company location
- Perform additional duties as specified by ownership or senior leadership.
SUCCESS METRICS (KPIs)
- Mold-related downtime
- Cavitation performance
- Accuracy of setups and changeovers
- Continuous improvement projects completed
- Safety compliance and incident counts
- Departmental efficiency and response time
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum 10 years of toolroom or mold-manufacturing management experience.
- Preferred completion of journeyman toolmaker apprenticeship program, experience running tool room machinery, equipment, and fixtures, etc.).
- In-depth knowledge of metal machining on mills, lathes, grinders, EDM machines, and other equipment, including familiarity with calculating and setting machine controls – speed, feed, coolant flow, depth, and angle of cut; input/edit CNC controls.
- Prior experience or education in injection molding or plastics industry (strongly desired)
- Strong mold troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering prints and technical drawings.
- Strong leadership skills with proven management success.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written English).
- Ability to influence others positively in attitudes, opinions, and performance.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Close attention to detail and the ability to detect visual defects.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and general computer skills.
- Demonstrated discretion, independent judgment, and professionalism.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Commitment to safety and housekeeping standards
- Frequent exposure to a manufacturing environment, climate-controlled production areas.
- ISO 13485/ISO 9001-controlled quality and production processes; ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanroom environments (training required).
- While performing duties, the associate may work near moving mechanical parts and be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and certain chemicals. Noise level is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequent standing, walking, reaching, and grasping/holding.
- Frequent lifting up to 10lbs; occasional lifting to 20lbs; rare lifting over 20lbs.
- Manual dexterity: High. Vision and hearing must be correctable to normal ranges, including depth and peripheral vision.
- Occasional driving and travel as required
