Pattern Shop Manager

Peninsula Plastics Company•Auburn Hills, MI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Peninsula Plastics is rapidly expanding, and so is our Pattern Shop! We are looking for an experienced, hands-on leader to join our team as a Pattern Shop Manager. The Pattern Shop Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Pattern Shop while providing hands-on technical expertise in the creation, modification, maintenance, and repair of patterns, molds, fixtures, and production tooling, with a particular focus on thermoform and vacuum-form tooling. This position will lead and support Pattern Shop employees, coordinate tooling projects and priorities, and work closely with Design, Engineering, and Production to ensure tooling is completed accurately, efficiently, and according to production requirements. The Pattern Shop Manager will oversee the development and maintenance of tooling used throughout the thermoforming/vacuum-forming process and provide technical support to resolve tooling-related production issues. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with woodworking, metalworking, pattern making, fabrication, and tooling, including hands-on experience with thermoform and/or vacuum-form tools. This individual should be a strong problem solver who is comfortable leading and mentoring a team while remaining actively involved in shop operations and tooling projects.

Requirements

Extensive experience in pattern making, tooling, mold making, machining, woodworking, metalworking, fabrication, or a related manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience with thermoform and/or vacuum-form tooling, including the creation, modification, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of production tools.
Strong knowledge of wood pattern fabrication, aluminum tooling, molds, fixtures, and production tooling.
Knowledge of tooling requirements and processes associated with thermoforming and vacuum-forming plastic components.
Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and troubleshoot tooling, equipment, and manufacturing issues.
Proficiency with precision measuring equipment, including micrometers, Vernier calipers, steel rules, tape measures, and similar equipment.
Advanced ability to safely operate pneumatic tools, including die grinders, 90-degree grinders/drills, and similar equipment.
Experience operating band saws, table saws, disk grinders, lathes, presses, cutting machines, and related shop equipment.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, technical drawings, specifications, measurements, and other engineering documentation.
Strong understanding of dimensions, tolerances, fit, finish, and quality requirements associated with tooling and manufacturing.
Ability to evaluate tooling performance and determine appropriate repairs, modifications, or adjustments to support production.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tooling projects simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.
Strong leadership and people-management skills with the ability to train, coach, motivate, and develop employees.
Excellent organizational, communication, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with Pattern Shop employees, Production, Engineering, Design, and company leadership.
Ability to work independently while effectively managing and contributing as a member of a team.
Self-motivated with a hands-on approach to leadership and problem solving.
Ability to think creatively and develop practical solutions to unique tooling and production challenges.
Willingness to learn new equipment, processes, technologies, and manufacturing methods.
Commitment to maintaining high standards for quality, safety, productivity, and workmanship.

Nice To Haves

Journeyman Pattern Maker certification or equivalent pattern-making experience preferred.
Previous supervisory, team lead, or management experience in a manufacturing, tooling, machining, or Pattern Shop environment preferred.
Bridgeport or similar milling machine experience preferred.
CAD/CAM or related design experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee the daily operations of the Pattern Shop, including employees, projects, equipment, materials, tooling, and workflow.
Lead, train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Pattern Shop Associates and other assigned team members.
Assign and prioritize projects based on production schedules, tooling requirements, deadlines, and business needs.
Manage the flow and scheduling of tooling projects from initial development through completion and release to Production.
Oversee the creation of wood patterns used for prototyping, thermoforming, vacuum forming, and production tooling applications.
Oversee and perform the conversion of aluminum foundry castings into production-ready thermoform and vacuum-form tools.
Create and oversee the development of initial molds and tooling based on specifications provided by Design and Engineering, including blueprints, schematics, drawings, models, and other technical requirements.
Fabricate, modify, maintain, and repair thermoform and vacuum-form production tooling to ensure proper performance and production readiness.
Create, modify, and repair fixtures used in the manufacturing, forming, trimming, and inspection of thermoformed plastic components.
Utilize woodworking, metalworking, machining, and fabrication techniques to manufacture and maintain patterns, molds, fixtures, and production tooling.
Set up and operate Pattern Shop equipment, including lathes, presses, cutting machines, saws, grinders, milling equipment, pneumatic tools, and other woodworking and metalworking equipment.
Monitor thermoform and vacuum-form tooling during production to ensure proper operation, efficient run rates, part quality, and tooling performance.
Identify tooling wear, damage, or performance concerns and determine when repairs, modifications, adjustments, or preventative maintenance are necessary.
Troubleshoot tooling and production-related issues and develop practical solutions to minimize downtime and maintain production schedules.
Support Production during tooling trials, setup, troubleshooting, and process adjustments as needed.
Coordinate with Production, Design, Engineering, and other departments to ensure tooling meets specifications, dimensional requirements, and production needs.
Review completed patterns, molds, fixtures, and tools to ensure dimensional accuracy, functionality, quality, and readiness for production.
Utilize precision measuring equipment, including micrometers, Vernier calipers, steel rules, tape measures, and other measuring devices to verify tooling specifications and dimensions.
Perform and document calculations used to evaluate tooling accuracy and quality during tooling and production processes.
Ensure required ISO, quality, safety, and procedure-driven documentation is completed accurately and maintained appropriately.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels of materials, tooling components, supplies, and other items required to complete scheduled projects.
Coordinate the ordering, procurement, repair, or replacement of materials, tools, equipment, and supplies as needed.
Assist with estimating project timelines, material requirements, labor needs, and other resources necessary to complete tooling projects.
Maintain an organized, efficient, and safe Pattern Shop environment.
Ensure Pattern Shop equipment and machinery are properly maintained and employees follow established safety procedures and operating practices.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve tooling processes, tool life, shop efficiency, quality, workflow, and production support.
Communicate project status, tooling concerns, production issues, delays, and resource needs to leadership and other appropriate departments.
Promote teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, safety, and a high standard of workmanship throughout the Pattern Shop.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.