Tooling Manager

Tool & Mold Manager

Location: Southern California

Are you a seasoned tooling expert ready to lead a high-impact team and drive innovation across complex molding operations? EPS Connects is seeking a Tool & Mold Manager to own the full lifecycle of tooling-from design and fabrication to qualification, optimization, and maintenance-while shaping best practices across multiple manufacturing sites.

In this key leadership role, you'll guide a skilled team of tool makers, machinists, designers, and engineers, ensuring tools and molds meet world-class standards of safety, quality, reliability, and performance. You'll also partner closely with cross-functional teams to deliver new tooling solutions, improve manufacturing processes, and support rapid growth across the organization.

What You'll Do

• Lead the complete lifecycle of tools and molds: design, development, qualification, production, and maintenance.
• Maintain an organized and efficient Tool & Mold department using 5S principles and proactive maintenance programs.
• Ensure a safe and compliant work environment while managing all department safety initiatives.
• Collaborate with R&D, NPI, and Operations to understand tooling needs and maintain a shared project queue.
• Provide accurate cost and timing estimates, support capital requests, and manage tooling purchase orders.
• Determine insourcing vs. outsourcing strategies to maximize value and minimize spend.
• Oversee internal and external tooling projects to ensure timelines and budgets are met.
• Lead advanced design reviews, steel adjustments, and construction of high-performance tools and molds.
• Drive DFM analysis and tool strategies that enhance production efficiency and product quality.
• Support mold process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PPAP methodology, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Troubleshoot tooling issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Execute preventative maintenance programs to reduce downtime and extend tool life.
• Analyze tooling data and present meaningful insights to stakeholders.
• Develop workflows, work instructions, and parameter standards for tooling optimization.
• Recruit, mentor, and grow a talented team of makers, machinists, designers, and engineers.
• Manage departmental budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities through tool reliability and new technologies.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
• Ability to travel domestically is required

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree or completion of a four-year toolmaking apprenticeship.
• 5+ years engineering experience and 8+ years injection mold tooling experience (design, fabrication, operation, troubleshooting).
• 3+ years supervisory or management experience, ideally in an ISO-regulated environment; GMP experience strongly preferred.
• Expertise in the full tooling lifecycle and standards such as DIN, ISO, ASTM, ASME, and SAE.
• Strong shop math abilities and hands-on technical expertise in injection molding; experience in silicone molding, over-molding, blow molding, and additional tooling methods a plus.
• Deep understanding of materials, machining processes, and manufacturing principles.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM and CNC programming; mold flow analysis experience highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with international suppliers and accommodate global time zones.
• Valid California driver's license and proof of insurance.

Why This Role Matters

This is a high-visibility opportunity to elevate tooling excellence across a growing manufacturing organization. Your leadership will directly influence product quality, operational efficiency, cost savings, and time-to-market-making a measurable impact on company success.