Tooling Manager

Tooling Manager South Central Virginia

On-site relocation assistance provided Salary $110,000 - $140,000 + dependent on experience

Position Summary: The Tooling Manager oversees tooling builds, repairs, and maintenance activities supporting injection molding operations. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability and performance of molds, equipment, machinery, and facility systems while serving as a technical resource for manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams. The position also manages domestic and international tooling projects and supports continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Tooling & Manufacturing Support
• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to resolve tooling issues and support new program launches.
• Oversee the design, build, repair, and maintenance of injection molds and tooling systems.
• Coordinate and monitor domestic and international tooling projects, including vendor and supplier activities.
• Serve as a technical resource for troubleshooting complex tooling and manufacturing challenges.
• Equipment Maintenance
• Perform and oversee maintenance activities on injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Conduct preventive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
• Modify, repair, and rebuild production machinery and plant equipment as required.
• Provide technical guidance and detailed repair instructions to maintenance personnel and technicians.
• Customer & Vendor Relations
• Work closely with customers and suppliers to support tooling builds, repairs, and ongoing improvements.
• Host customer visits and assist in understanding project requirements while fostering strong professional relationships.
• Leadership & Continuous Improvement
• Promote safe work practices and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on quality, productivity, and equipment performance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of maintenance and tooling best practices.

Qualifications Required

• Completion of a formal apprenticeship program, technical training program, or equivalent technical education.
• Minimum of five (5) years of mold-making experience.
• Experience troubleshooting and working with electrical systems and schematics.
• Basic PLC programming and troubleshooting experience, preferably Siemens.
• Experience programming and supporting industrial automation equipment, including robotic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret machine manuals, blueprints, hydraulic schematics, and pneumatic diagrams.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on experience in an injection molding manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Experience using SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Automotive manufacturing experience, particularly within injection molding operations.
• Experience with Engel injection molding equipment.

Professional Skills

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Strong initiative and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform effectively in fast-paced environments and under pressure.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.
• Strong troubleshooting, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.