Die & Tooling Technician

Plaskolite•Zanesville, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Die & Tooling Technician is responsible for overseeing daily equipment set-up activities, including die splitting and cleaning, screw removal and cleaning, equipment set-up including grinder blade changeovers, as well as maintenance repairs and changeovers, to ensure reliable, efficient, and safe manufacturing operations at Plaskolite. This role provides technical leadership and guidance to the Maintenance and Operations Team, ensuring dies, screws, co-ex inserts and other related tooling are maintained, and repaired according to maintenance quality and performance standards. The Die & Tooling Technician works closely with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to coordinate tooling readiness, troubleshoot tooling-related issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in maximizing equipment uptime, minimizing lead time for tooling inventory and promoting safe and efficient manufacturing practices and promoting Plaskolite’s “One Plaskolite” culture of collaboration, integrity, and operational excellence. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and quality—reflecting Plaskolite’s core values of Integrity and Improvement.

Requirements

Technical certificate, vocational training, or coursework in tooling, machining, maintenance, manufacturing technology, or a related field.
Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in tooling, die/mold maintenance, or a related manufacturing role; experience in a plastics or extrusion manufacturing environment preferred.
Ability to read blueprints
Ability to weld steel, and to repair or modify tooling components
Ability to use Hand Tools, Band Saw, Welder safely and effectively
Basic Knowledge of Mill and Lathe equipment
Basic Rigging Skills
Basic Hydraulics and Electrical Troubleshooting understanding
Ability to diagnose and resolve mechanical equipment and installation issues
Technical Knowledge of the Extrusion & Polymer Processing Equipment
Ability to work with minimal supervision

Nice To Haves

experience in a plastics or extrusion manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Able to disassemble and reassemble plastic extrusion dies, tooling, screws from start to finish to support production requirements.
Able to install and set-up grinder blades and shredder teeth
Support training of Maintenance personnel in regard to critical tooling assembly and cleaning
Operate manual machine shop equipment including mills, lathes, grinders, and drill presses.
Interpret detailed engineering drawings and technical specifications to ensure accurate tooling assembly and repairs
Inspect machined components using precision measurement instruments to maintain tight tolerance and quality standards.
Assemble, fit, and validate components to production in ready condition.
Work directly with extrusion production lines to understand tooling functionality and process requirements.
Assist in troubleshooting performance issues during extrusion runs and implement corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement initiatives to increase tooling life, reduce downtime, and improve workflow efficiency.
Support capital projects, including installation, setup, and validation of new dies and tooling systems.
Assist in the implementation of preventive maintenance programs for critical tooling components
Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas in compliance with 5S principles and company safety policies.
Ensure compliance with all safety standards, machine operation procedures, and quality requirements.
Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Engage with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to ensure successful tooling performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Promote and model Plaskolite’s "One Plaskolite" values by demonstrating teamwork, accountability, integrity, and a commitment to operational excellence.
All other duties as assigned.