Director, Advanced Tooling, Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

The Director of Advanced Tooling, Advanced Manufacturing, and Automation leads the enterprise-wide strategy, standards, and execution for tooling design, capital equipment, automation, and controls across all manufacturing sites. This role owns the full lifecycle of tooling and equipment — from quoting and vendor selection through build, launch, and continuous improvement — and is accountable for establishing the department's governing standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and performance metrics. The Director drives innovation into the company's tooling and automation portfolio, standardizes controls architecture across facilities, and builds a high-performing team through clear standards, structured evaluation, and accountable governance. This role is critical to ensuring cost-competitive, scalable, and launch-ready tooling and automation solutions that support flawless new program launches and sustainable operational growth. 1. Department Standards & Governance Establish and own the enterprise-wide standards framework for the Advanced Tooling and Automation department, including equipment standards, design standards, build standards, and maintenance standards. Develop, document, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all core department functions, including: Tooling lineup planning and structuring Cost breakdown methodology and templates Vendor selection and evaluation criteria Tooling and equipment acceptance/runoff criteria Create and maintain a performance governance model — defining how standards are audited, how compliance is measured, and how deviations are escalated and corrected. Serve as the final authority on tooling and equipment standards across all sites, ensuring consistency, cost control, and quality. 2. Tooling Quoting & Cost Standards Define the standard format and process for tooling quote scope of work, ensuring quotes are complete, comparable across suppliers, and aligned to program requirements. Establish standardized tooling lineup structures (e.g., mold sets, fixtures, secondary equipment, automation cells) for consistent program planning. Develop standardized cost breakdown structures (material, labor, engineering, controls, freight, contingency, etc.) to improve quote accuracy, cost transparency, and negotiation leverage. Own the RFQ process for tooling and capital equipment, ensuring apples-to-apples supplier comparisons. 3. Advanced Tooling Design & Development Lead design, development, and validation of advanced tooling for composite molds, secondary equipment, and automation systems. Oversee tooling readiness for new program launches, ensuring durability, repeatability, and on-time delivery. Drive innovation into the tooling portfolio — evaluating new materials, processes, and design methodologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, simulation-driven design, modular/reconfigurable tooling) to improve cost, speed, and performance. 4. Advanced Manufacturing & Automation Development Develop and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, predictive maintenance, and Industry 4.0 tools. Lead automation development end-to-end: concept, business case, design, integration, validation, and scale-up to full production. Validate new processes and automated systems through pilot lines, ensuring scalability and reliability prior to full deployment. Identify and prioritize automation opportunities based on labor efficiency, ergonomics, throughput, and ROI. Establish enterprise-wide controls standards (PLC platforms, HMI design, safety architecture, network/communication protocols, naming conventions, documentation standards) to ensure consistency, maintainability, and reduced spare-parts complexity across sites. Partner with controls engineering and IT/OT teams to ensure new automation and tooling projects comply with controls standards from concept through commissioning. Drive standardization of controls documentation, change management, and cybersecurity practices across all automated systems. Partner with suppliers to deliver best-in-class tooling and automation solutions within budget and timing requirements. Develop and administer a formal vendor evaluation program — scoring suppliers on quality, cost, delivery, engineering capability, and responsiveness — to guide sourcing decisions and build a preferred supplier base. Lead supplier performance reviews and drive corrective action when standards are not met. 7. Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Standards Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, and ergonomics. Define and deploy enterprise standards for manufacturing layouts, material flow, ergonomics, and process optimization. Benchmark industry trends and emerging technologies to keep the enterprise at the forefront of composite manufacturing and automation. 8. Cross-Functional Partnership Work closely with Product Development, Facilities, and Asset Management to align tooling and equipment strategy with long-term business objectives. Partner with Finance to validate ROI and payback for capital equipment, tooling, and process investments. Collaborate with Quality to ensure advanced manufacturing processes meet customer standards and regulatory requirements. Manage budgets for tooling, equipment, and process engineering, including capital expenditures (CapEx). Track project spend against budget and forecast, and report variances to leadership. 10. Performance Metrics & Reporting Define and monitor department and program KPIs, including: Tooling readiness (on-time, first-pass acceptance) Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Scrap and quality escape reduction ROI on capital projects Report regularly to executive leadership on program readiness, risks, and performance against standards. Build, lead, and develop the Advanced Tooling and Automation team, setting clear expectations and standards for individual performance. Conduct structured personnel evaluations, including performance reviews, development planning, and succession planning for key roles. Coach and mentor engineers and program leads to build technical depth in tooling, automation, and controls. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the department. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Electrical Engineering required; or equivalent work experience. Experience 10+ years of progressive experience in tooling design, advanced manufacturing, automation, or industrial engineering, including 5+ years in a leadership role. Proven track record of leading tooling and automation programs from concept through production launch. Experience with composite manufacturing tooling strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience developing standards, SOPs, and governance frameworks at an enterprise or multi-site level. Experience managing capital budgets and evaluating ROI on equipment/automation investments. Experience with controls platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens) and Industry 4.0/data integration tools preferred. Strong technical knowledge of tooling design, robotics, automation integration, and controls architecture. Skilled in supplier negotiation, vendor management, and cost analysis. Strong leadership, coaching, and organizational development skills. Excellent communication skills, with ability to present to executive leadership. Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability. #J-18808-Ljbffr CSP