SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Tooling Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of mold/tooling management within an injection molding facility, including maintenance, repair, new tooling design input, and continuous improvement. This Tooling Manager ensures that molds are operating at peak performance to support production schedules, meet quality standards, and extend tooling life. The Tooling Manager also manages the tooling team and works closely with engineering, production, and quality departments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, schedule, and supervise preventative maintenance and repair of all injection molds and related tooling.
• Troubleshoot mold performance issues and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Ensure all molds are production-ready and meet dimensional and cosmetic requirements.
• Maintain records of mold performance, repairs, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Lead, train, and manage the tooling team (toolmakers, technicians, and apprentices).
• Provide input on new tooling designs to ensure manufacturability and long-term durability.
• Collaborate with tooling suppliers, engineering, and customers during new project launches.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce setup time, improve tool reliability, and optimize mold design.
• Manage inventory of spare parts, tooling supplies, and components.
• Source and work with external tooling vendors for repairs, refurbishments, and new builds.
• Ensure cost-effective tooling solutions that meet production and quality needs.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling-related quality issues.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness standards within the tooling department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: (indicate “Required” or “Preferred”)

• Bachelors degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Industrial Management and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in injection molding tooling, including hands-on experience with mold maintenance and repair.
• Journeyman Mold-maker certificate.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: (indicate “Required” or “Preferred”)

• Strong knowledge of injection mold design, hot runner systems, and tool steels.
• Ability to create, read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and CAD files.
• Familiarity with mold flow analysis and tooling software is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience with high-cavitation molds, tight-tolerance applications, and medical or automotive standards.
• Proficiency with CNC machines, EDM, and polishing tools.
• Computer skills (Emails, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.).
• Strong Communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and make data-driven decisions.