Manager, Tooling

Job Summary

The Tool Room / Set-Up Manager oversees the day-to-day activities of the tool room and set-up area, managers personnel in manufacturing and repairing molds and fixtures as well as other machining operations. The Manager will direct, coordinate, and manage Tool Room and Set-Up Technicians. Responsibilities include performing machine and bench operations necessary to make, alter or repair molds or fixtures of complex design, managing department budget, generating tool build/repair cost and lead time estimates, managing machine tool preventive maintenance and repairs, prioritizing the department workload, and evaluating and directing the most efficient processes and methods to complete the work assignments within the department. The Manager will use lean manufacturing strategieis to drives a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Drives engagement in safety vision, Journey to Zero, to prevent incidents through focus on unsafe behaviors and conditions.
• Safety processes in machining, SDS and documentation programs.
• Utilizes 5S as a means of driving the continuous improvement process and ensuring the tool shop is clean and well-organized. Strives to identify and eliminate waste. Utilizes visual management tools and techniques to promote best practice and minimize downtime.
• Knowledge of Lean continuous improvement techniques with a focus on efficiency and cost saving
• Provides performance data on tool room / maintenance operations; order fulfillment, cost savings, OT, and timeliness metrics for support of the Nordson Business System (NBS Next)
• Manages tool room and maintenance supervisors in the safe and efficient operation of machining equipment while they manufacture and repair molds and fixtures as well as set up / reconfigure molds for the IMM’s / also perform other miscellaneous machining operations.
• Oversees the day-to-day operation of the tool room & Maintenance area, supervising highly mechanically and technically skilled Mold Makers, Mold Maintenance Technicians.
• Generates tool build/repair cost and lead time estimates.
• Ability to flex labor between the tool room and set up area as required by work load to support the operations
• Provides and monitors clear objectives, priorities and goals to employees supervised.
• Coordinates activities and priorities of tool room/set up personnel with the manufacturing and engineering departments.
• Develops and maintains training materials and processes for personnel and equipment.
• Assigns tasks in the tool room / set up department consistent with business goals, strategies and objectives.
• Demonstrates strong talent management ability focusing on hiring, coaching, directing, and developing employees while increasing engagement aligned with Nordson’s values and competencies.
• Generates tool build/repair cost and lead time estimates .
• Develops and maintains training materials and processes for tool room/set up personnel and equipment.
• Assigns tasks in the tool room/set up departments consistent with business goals, strategies and objectives.
• Plans, set-ups and performs machine and bench operations necessary to make, alter or repair molds, jigs, fixtures, dies, and gauges of complex design.
• Monitors and ensures achievement of department goals, objectives, and budget adherence.
• Provides input into design reviews for new tooling and repair or enhancement of existing tooling.
• Identifies and suggests areas for improvement in processes, systems, and policies in the department.
• Reviews and recommends tool room & set up equipment upgrades, additions, repairs and deletions.
• Reviews and recommends suppliers of new tooling, tooling supplies and tooling services.
• Ensures that all necessary tooling software and hardware are available, in good repair, and up-to-date for employee use.
• Frequently interacts with other Managers and functional peer groups at various levels. Interaction normally requires the ability to gain cooperation of others, answering time sensitive communication, conducting presentation of information concerning specific projects/schedules and daily review of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity and Cost metrics.
• Plans and implements effective procedures and policies for the maintenance department to ensure that all equipment, facilities, and utilities are in an acceptable state of repair. Administers plant preventative maintenance programs.
• Coordinates with vendors, suppliers, and contractors the installation of new equipment or equipment processes.
• Establishes, with direction from the Operations Director, priorities of all maintenance activities through a work order procedure.
• Supervises all daily activities of the Maintenance Department through subordinates to ensure completion of assigned projects that will minimize machine downtime.
• Monitors completion of maintenance projects to ensure that safety and quality standards are met.
• Approves all requisitions relating to new and replacement parts, supplies, machinery, and equipment for the Maintenance Department.
• Provides technical knowledge and expertise to solve problems of a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic/pneumatic nature.
• Provides instruction, guiding and direction to new employees having performance or procedural difficulties.
• Participates in administrative and technical programs such as cost reduction, process improvements, communication, and employee training.
• Identifies employees for consideration for promotion and/or training. Handles or refers employee grievances, benefit problems, or other personnel problems to the appropriate staff.
• Participates in development of departmental and plant maintenance budgets and monitors performances to ensure costs are within guidelines.
• Supports the company Vision Process through active participation. Responsible for identifying problems and finding solutions for same; works to implement changes.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Enginnering Degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, a journeyman level Tool & Die Maker with a minimum of 3 years experience.
• 5 + years of Management experience is required

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Remains calm under pressure; Strong decision-making skills in response to high pressure situations.
• A high degree of mechanical and technical skill and a comprehensive knowledge of tooling and injection molding processes is required.
• Familiar with injection molding design and fabrication technology.
• Ability to work from blueprints, CAD models, diagrams or samples to very close tolerances.
• Proven change agent: skill with enabling change, strong influencing abilities particularly with frontline teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain high level relationships with suppliers.
• Proven ability to implement process management, value stream execution, and continuous improvement activities.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated results with Kanban process’s and implementation strategies
• Must be able to successfully use inspection devices (i.e. microscopes, calipers, gauge pins, optical comparator, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of managers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Involves a high degree of responsibility and efficiency

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in use and navigation of Windows operating system and computer aided manufacturing programs in a networked environment. Functional understanding of Outlook E-mail, Excel and Word.
• Proficient in use of one or more of these software tools (i.e. AutoCAD, Solid Works, Solid Edge, Pro-E, MasterCam, Gibbs, etc.) is required.
• Upon completion of training, employee must be able to successfully navigate through IFS (i.e. ERP System).

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Employee may be required to remain stationary, stand, sit and/or bend frequently or for extended periods of time.
• Employee will frequently be required to actively listen and exchange verbal and written information.
• Employee may be required to observe and assess information received via computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.

Travel Required

None