Key Responsibilities: Tooling Design and Development: Lead and manage the design, development, and improvement of tooling systems for various manufacturing processes.
Collaborate with the engineering and production teams to create tooling that meets product specifications, quality standards, and manufacturing requirements.
Oversee the development of prototypes and production tools, ensuring they are optimized for production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Tooling Maintenance and Upkeep: Manage the preventive maintenance and repair of all tooling and related equipment.
Establish a structured and effective tooling maintenance schedule to reduce downtime and maximize tool lifespan.
Troubleshoot and resolve tooling issues during the production process, ensuring minimal disruption to manufacturing operations.
Team Leadership and Coordination: Lead and manage a team of tooling engineers, technicians, and support staff, ensuring their development and effective performance.
Coordinate with the production, engineering, and quality control teams to ensure tooling requirements are met and that tooling issues are quickly addressed.
Foster a continuous improvement culture within the tooling team, encouraging innovation and problem-solving.
Tooling Budget and Cost Management: Develop and manage tooling budgets, ensuring cost-efficient use of resources and materials.
Control tooling expenses through effective planning, cost analysis, and supplier negotiations.
Monitor tooling costs and recommend cost-saving measures while ensuring quality standards are maintained.
Supplier and Vendor Management: Source, evaluate, and manage external tooling suppliers, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality tools and materials.
Negotiate contracts with suppliers for tooling procurement, ensuring the best prices and delivery terms are achieved.
Maintain strong relationships with tooling suppliers and collaborate to improve tool quality, reliability, and lead times.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement: Ensure that all tooling meets the required specifications and complies with quality and safety standards.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives in tooling design, maintenance processes, and production efficiency.
Collaborate with the quality assurance team to resolve any quality-related issues in tooling and manufacturing processes.
Project Management: Manage tooling-related projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications.
Track tooling performance and ensure that tooling requirements are aligned with production schedules and product demand.
Health, Safety, and Compliance: Ensure tooling operations are conducted in compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Promote a safe working environment by implementing and monitoring safety practices within the tooling department.
Qualifications & Requirements: Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in tooling management, with a strong background in manufacturing or injection molding processes.
Proven leadership and team management skills.
Strong technical knowledge of tooling design, production, and maintenance.
Proficient in CAD software and other design tools.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage budgets and cost control effectively.
Knowledge of ISO standards, safety protocols, and quality control processes in tooling operations.