Tool Room Manager

Madison-Kipp Corporation•Madison, WI

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Tool Room Manager is responsible for leading all tool room operations across Madison-Kipp Corporation's die casting and machining facilities. This role oversees the maintenance, repair, modification, and continuous improvement of dies, molds, tooling, fixtures, and related equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted production. The Tool Room Manager leads a team of Tool & Die Makers, Die Repair Technicians, and support personnel while partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Production teams to maximize uptime, improve tooling performance, and reduce manufacturing costs.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, and understand English.
Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
Strong understanding of die casting dies, molds, fixtures, tooling systems, and preventative maintenance practices.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and CAD models.
Knowledge of machining processes including CNC milling, turning, EDM, grinding, and welding.
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance or tooling management systems.
Strong communication and leadership skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and respond effectively to changing production demands.
Associate degree in Tool & Die, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
Journeyman Tool & Die certification strongly preferred.
Minimum 7 years of Tool & Die, Die Repair, or Tool Room experience in a manufacturing environment.
Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
Experience supporting high-volume die casting, machining, automotive, or industrial manufacturing operations preferred.
Experience with aluminum die casting tooling strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Tool & Die, Manufacturing Technology, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.
Journeyman Tool & Die certification strongly preferred.
Experience supporting high-volume die casting, machining, automotive, or industrial manufacturing operations preferred.
Experience with aluminum die casting tooling strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage daily tool room operations to support production requirements across multiple facilities.
Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate Tool & Die Makers, Die Repair Technicians, and Tool Room personnel.
Establish priorities and schedules for die maintenance, repairs, preventative maintenance, and tooling improvements.
Ensure tooling is available, maintained, and performing at required production standards.
Coordinate emergency tooling repairs to minimize production downtime.
Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs for dies, molds, fixtures, and tooling.
Monitor tooling performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve die life, reduce scrap, and increase uptime.
Partner with Engineering and Operations teams on tooling design improvements and process optimization initiatives.
Support new product launches, tooling transfers, and production ramp-ups.
Manage tooling inventories, spare components, consumables, and repair parts.
Oversee outside tooling vendors and repair suppliers as required.
Maintain tooling documentation, repair histories, and preventative maintenance records.
Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality standards.
Develop departmental budgets and manage expenditures within approved guidelines.
Support continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and root cause analysis methodologies.
Participate in capital equipment and tooling investment planning.
Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing tool room team.
Identify training and development opportunities for team members.
Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives.