Tool Room Lead/Frontline Leader

Allegion•Princeton, IL

3d•$40 - $46

About The Position

The Tool Room Team Lead provides day-to-day leadership and technical direction to Tool Room personnel in Allegion’s Process Innovation department. The role coordinates work assignments and priorities, supports troubleshooting and problem solving, monitors progress, and helps ensure work is completed safely and effectively. The lead serves as a primary contact between the Tool Room and other departments regarding tooling, machining, fabrication, and repair needs, and reports to the Maintenance Manager. The position provides hands-on technical support for machining, fabrication, tooling repairs and modifications, and troubleshooting. It coordinates work for planned maintenance, breakdowns, continuous improvement projects, and production support while collaborating with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and outside vendors. The role also coaches and trains Tool Makers, apprentices, and technical staff; maintains records and performance measures; and supports safe, organized, reliable, and efficient Tool Room operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of precision machining experience in a Tool Room environment.
Demonstrated leadership capability or previous supervisory/lead experience in a manufacturing or Tool Room environment.
Strong mechanical and machining knowledge and the ability to provide technical direction to others.
Experience reading complex technical drawings and interpreting blueprints.
Experience setting up and operating conventional and CNC machinery.
Ability to prioritize multiple jobs, coordinate workload, troubleshoot manufacturing and equipment problems, and communicate effectively with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Machine Tool Technology, Tool & Die Making, or a related technical discipline.
Completion of a state-certified apprenticeship program or DOL-certified Journey Worker status.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and assign work orders, prioritizing incoming maintenance and tooling requests according to operational needs and team capabilities.
Provide hands-on technical support and direction for machining, fabrication, tooling repairs, modifications, and troubleshooting.
Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to support equipment reliability and minimize production interruptions.
Coordinate machining and fabrication for planned maintenance, breakdowns, continuous improvement projects, and production support.
Work with Maintenance and Production leadership to identify recurring tooling and equipment problems and develop practical improvements.
Coach, mentor, and assist with training Tool Makers, apprentices, and technical staff, including onboarding and skill advancement.
Assist team members with troubleshooting and selecting effective repair or fabrication methods.
Provide technical guidance while remaining actively involved in complex or priority Tool Room work.
Train and develop Tool Room personnel in equipment operation, machining practices, troubleshooting, and safe work methods.
Maintain team efficiency, scrap reduction, delivery metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure Tool Room machines, equipment, tools, and work areas are maintained safely, cleanly, and in an organized condition.
Support continuous improvement activities that improve safety, quality, equipment reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.
Help maintain appropriate tooling, materials, replacement components, and consumable supplies for Tool Room activities.
Maintain team effectiveness metrics and ensure efficient resource allocation and labor use.
Enforce safety regulations, OSHA guidelines, machine guarding, power press safety, lockout/tagout, and 5S standards; communicate potential hazards to management.
Identify opportunities to improve Tool Room workflow, tooling reliability, repair methods, and efficiency.
Promote safe work practices and ensure established safety procedures are followed.
Maintain accurate tool maintenance and performance records and coordinate tool status and operational needs with cross-functional departments.
Monitor Tool Room jobs and communicate progress, material requirements, delays, and other concerns that may affect completion.
Support repair and modification of production tooling, fixtures, machine components, and other manufacturing support equipment.
Collaborate within the Process Innovation team and with outside vendors on development of new fixtures, processes, and machines.
Ensure prints processed through the Tool Room are properly recorded and digital backups are stored in Windchill.
Perform other related duties as assigned.