Our client is seeking an experienced Tooling Manager to lead Toolroom operations and provide strategic direction for tooling across a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an accomplished tooling professional who understands what it takes to keep dies running, launches on schedule, keep suppliers accountable, and a skilled Toolroom team moving in the same direction. The Tooling Manager will oversee internal and external tool builds, preventative maintenance, repairs, tooling standards, supplier relationships, capacity planning, and continuous improvement initiatives. Just as importantly, this person will develop and mentor Tooling Engineers, Die Makers, Apprentices, and support personnel while establishing the processes and accountability needed to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The right candidate brings significant manufacturing leadership experience along with a strong technical foundation in tool and die, metal stamping, progressive dies, tooling maintenance, and tool design. This role is well suited for a leader who can balance long-term tooling strategy with the day-to-day realities of supporting production and new program launches. Responsibilities Lead and oversee daily Toolroom operations across multiple shifts. Provide leadership, coaching, and technical direction to Tooling Engineers, Die Makers, Apprentices, and Toolroom support personnel. Develop and execute strategies for new tool builds, repairs, modifications, and ongoing tooling support. Coordinate both internally manufactured and externally sourced tooling projects. Develop, maintain, and communicate tooling schedules to support production and program launch requirements. Establish and maintain tooling standards, design protocols, CAD data, and related documentation systems. Build and manage strong relationships with external tooling suppliers, ensuring expectations for quality, timing, cost, and performance are met. Develop proactive preventative maintenance programs using tooling history, production data, and performance metrics. Oversee tool design reviews, sampling activities, troubleshooting, and required tooling adjustments. Drive continuous improvement in tooling processes, equipment, documentation, maintenance practices, and overall Toolroom performance. Serve as a primary point of contact for tooling activities and status updates during new program launches. Provide technical expertise and tooling cost input during quoting and project planning activities. Establish emergency tooling repair procedures and coordinate escalation plans for off-shift support. Partner closely with Engineering, Production, Maintenance, Launch, Quality, and other cross-functional teams. Manage Toolroom spending and cost-center performance while maintaining alignment with established budgets and quoted tooling costs. Participate in leadership meetings, operational reviews, and manufacturing crisis-management activities. Lead staffing, capacity planning, workload balancing, and resource allocation based on production and tooling demands. Promote standardized work, 5S, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies throughout Toolroom operations. Evaluate and implement new tooling technologies, processes, and equipment where they can improve performance or reliability. Maintain a strong culture of safety and ensure compliance with applicable environmental, workplace, and company policies. Qualifications Journeyman Tool & Die Maker certification required. 15+ years of manufacturing and/or tooling experience, including significant leadership responsibility. Strong working knowledge of tool and die manufacturing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. Experience supporting metal stamping operations and/or progressive die systems strongly desired. Demonstrated ability to lead Toolroom operations within a production-driven manufacturing environment. Experience managing new tool builds, tooling repairs, preventative maintenance programs, and external tooling suppliers. Strong understanding of tool design principles, engineering drawings, blueprint revision controls, and tooling documentation. Experience managing tooling schedules, budgets, resources, and capacity requirements. Ability to troubleshoot complex tooling issues and coordinate effective corrective actions. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities. Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop skilled technical employees. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments and levels of an organization. Comfortable making decisions and maintaining ownership during time-sensitive production and tooling situations. Preferred Qualifications Extensive experience with metal stamping and progressive dies . CAD experience using SolidWorks or comparable design software. Experience with

PDM, CAD

vaulting, or engineering document-control systems. Familiarity with CMMS platforms and tooling database management. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with ERP or manufacturing information systems. Practical experience implementing lean manufacturing, 5S, standardized work, and continuous improvement initiatives. Experience developing and measuring tooling preventative maintenance programs using performance data and KPIs. Previous responsibility for Toolroom budgeting, cost-center management, or tooling cost controls. Experience managing outsourced tool builds and developing external tooling supplier relationships. A leadership style built around accountability, integrity, problem-solving, coaching, and continuous development. Physical & Work Environment Requirements Ability to work within an active manufacturing and Toolroom environment with regular exposure to moving mechanical equipment. Ability to stand, walk, use hands, stoop, kneel, crouch, and perform other movements associated with a manufacturing environment. Ability to frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift heavier items, potentially up to 100 pounds with appropriate assistance or equipment. Visual ability necessary for tooling inspection and manufacturing activities, including close vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment. Ability to communicate effectively in a manufacturing environment where hearing protection may be required. Noise levels may vary depending on production and Toolroom activity. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Titles Encouraged to Apply Candidates with experience under related titles are encouraged to apply, including:

Toolroom Manager Tool & Die Manager Tooling Engineering Manager Stamping Tooling Manager Die Maintenance Manager Tooling Supervisor Senior Tooling Engineer Pay:

$100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person