Toolroom / Tooling Manager

A Toolroom Manager in a plastic injection moulding manufacturing environment is responsible for overseeing the toolroom operations, which includes the management, maintenance, and repair of moulds, tools, and fixtures essential to the production process. This role ensures that all tooling is available, functioning correctly, and maintained to meet production demands while adhering to high-quality standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Toolroom Operations Management:

• Oversee the daily operations of the toolroom, including the maintenance, repair, and storage of injection moulds and tooling.
• Ensure all tools, moulds, and fixtures are ready and available for production when needed.
• Supervise toolmakers, machinists, and toolroom staff to ensure smooth operations and timely delivery of tooling and equipment.

Mould Maintenance and Repair:

• Manage preventive maintenance programs for moulds, ensuring they are inspected and serviced regularly to prevent breakdowns during production.
• Troubleshoot and repair moulds in case of defects, damage, or wear, ensuring minimal production downtime.
• Work closely with the production and engineering teams to quickly resolve any tooling issues that may arise during production.

Tool and Mould Inventory Management:

• Maintain accurate records of all tools, moulds, and fixtures, including their usage, condition, and maintenance history.
• Monitor tool inventory levels, ensuring that necessary spare parts and backup moulds are available to avoid production delays.
• Ensure that all tooling is stored properly to prevent damage and is easily accessible when needed.

Process Improvement and Optimization:

• Continuously review and improve tooling processes to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance mould performance and longevity.
• Implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to streamline toolroom operations and reduce waste.
• Stay updated on industry trends and advancements in tooling technologies, recommending upgrades or changes as needed.

Team Leadership and Training:

• Lead, train, and mentor toolroom staff, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge required to perform their jobs effectively.
• Allocate tasks to toolroom personnel, ensuring that projects are completed on time and to quality standards.
• Foster a collaborative and efficient work environment, encouraging continuous learning and skill development among staff.

Collaboration with Production and Engineering:

• Work closely with production and engineering teams to coordinate tooling requirements for new and ongoing projects.
• Provide input on tooling feasibility, cost, and lead time during the design and development stages of new products.
• Support production in achieving quality, cost, and delivery targets by ensuring moulds and tools are in top condition.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Ensure all tooling meets the quality standards required for plastic injection moulding, adhering to customer specifications and industry regulations.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to address any tooling-related quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure all tooling complies with safety standards, and that toolroom operations follow all health and safety regulations.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Tool and Die Making, or a related technical field.
• Certification in injection mould maintenance or toolmaking is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in a toolroom environment, specifically in plastic injection moulding manufacturing and in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of injection moulding processes and tooling requirements, including mould design, fabrication, and maintenance.
• Attend to customer complaints on tooling issues, field problems and take corrective actions as appropriate.
• Make decision to stop production if the mould need to perform predictive or preventive maintenance, repair, modification and improvement.
• Make decision to stop insert fabrication if there is a need of mould modification and improvement.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting technical drawings and blueprints for mould and tool design.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM software for tool design and modification.
• Knowledge of mould materials, coatings, and surface treatments used in plastic injection moulding.
• Ability to conduct mould inspections, assess tool condition, and implement quality control measures.