Lead, Tool & Die

Osmundson Manufacturing Company•Perry, IA

About The Position

Osmundson Manufacturing is seeking an experienced, hands-on Tool & Die Lead to oversee a four-person Tool & Die team. This working leadership role coordinates daily shop activities, assigns work, maintains schedules, and ensures quality workmanship. The Lead must be able to independently perform the same tool and die work as the employees they lead while balancing production priorities and providing technical guidance; the position is not desk-based. The role involves building, maintaining, repairing, troubleshooting, and modifying tooling to support manufacturing operations. The Lead works directly from engineering drawings and specifications, operates toolroom machinery, verifies work using precision measuring instruments, and coordinates with production and maintenance. The Lead also develops schedules, monitors progress, trains and coaches team members, promotes safe and organized work practices, and communicates shop concerns and improvement opportunities to management. The position focuses on completing work accurately and on time while improving tooling performance, reducing downtime, and maintaining quality and safety.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience leading or supervising a Tool & Die shop with more than one employee.
Demonstrated experience assigning work, delegating responsibilities, coordinating daily operations, and managing shop schedules.
Strong hands-on experience in tool and die building, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and modifications.
Ability to independently perform the technical work required of the Tool & Die team while providing leadership and guidance.
Proficiency in reading, interpreting, and working directly from engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
Experience operating manual machining equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, and other toolroom machinery.
Experience using precision measuring instruments to maintain tight tolerances and ensure quality workmanship.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose tooling problems and implement practical solutions.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable.
Excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects, manage competing deadlines, and maintain efficient shop operations.
Ability to balance hands-on technical responsibilities with team leadership and scheduling requirements.
Strong commitment to workplace safety, quality standards, and continuous improvement.
Willingness to take ownership of shop performance, workmanship, productivity, and project deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with production, maintenance, and management teams to meet manufacturing objectives.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CNC machining, CAD/CAM software, and other applicable toolroom technologies; advanced proficiency is preferred.
Experience in manufacturing environments involving metal stamping, forging, or forming dies is preferred.
Experience building, maintaining, and repairing production dies and tooling is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to improve tooling performance, reduce production downtime, and enhance operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

Perform hands-on tool and die building, maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to support manufacturing operations.
Read, interpret, and work from engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
Operate toolroom machinery and equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, CNC machines, and other applicable machining equipment.
Diagnose tooling problems, determine appropriate repairs, and implement improvements to minimize production downtime.
Maintain tight tolerances and verify completed work using precision measuring instruments.
Provide daily leadership, work direction, and technical guidance to a four-person Tool & Die team.
Assign and delegate work based on employee skills, production priorities, and project requirements.
Develop and maintain daily and weekly shop schedules to ensure projects are completed accurately and on time.
Monitor job progress, identify potential delays, and adjust work assignments and priorities to meet manufacturing deadlines.
Coordinate with production and maintenance departments to address tooling requirements, urgent repairs, and operational needs.
Ensure team members have the materials, equipment, information, and resources needed to complete assigned tasks.
Work alongside team members to complete tooling projects while balancing leadership and production responsibilities.
Ensure completed tooling meets engineering specifications, quality standards, and production requirements.
Promote safe work practices and maintain a clean, organized, and efficient toolroom environment.
Provide hands-on training, coaching, and technical support to develop team members' skills and performance.
Maintain accountability for workmanship, productivity, safety, and timely completion of assigned work.
Communicate tooling concerns, scheduling challenges, and improvement opportunities to management.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve tooling performance, reduce downtime, and increase shop efficiency.