Toolroom Foreman

SUMMARY:
An established manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced and results-driven Toolroom Foreman to lead its Toolroom operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the daily activities of the Toolroom, ensuring tooling is manufactured, repaired, maintained, and available to support uninterrupted production. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong technical knowledge, excellent problem-solving abilities, and proven supervisory experience within a manufacturing environment.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate all Toolroom activities to ensure production requirements are met.
• Lead, coach, and develop Toolmakers, Machinists, Apprentices, and Toolroom personnel.
• Plan, prioritise, and allocate work to ensure timely completion of tooling repairs and new tooling projects.
• Ensure preventative and corrective maintenance is carried out on production tooling.
• Diagnose tooling failures and implement effective corrective actions.
• Manufacture, modify, repair, and maintain press tools, jigs, fixtures, dies, moulds, and specialised tooling.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance departments to minimise downtime.
• Ensure tooling is maintained to the highest quality standards.
• Monitor tooling performance and recommend continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage Toolroom inventory, consumables, and spare parts.
• Ensure machines and equipment within the Toolroom are maintained and serviced.
• Enforce health, safety, environmental, and housekeeping standards.
• Monitor productivity, efficiency, and quality of Toolroom operations.
• Assist with budgeting and cost control for Toolroom activities.
• Maintain accurate maintenance, repair, and tooling documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and 5S initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified Toolmaker with a recognised Trade Test.
• National Diploma or N6 in Mechanical Engineering or Toolmaking will be advantageous.
• Minimum of 5–8 years' Toolroom experience within a manufacturing environment.
• At least 3 years' experience in a supervisory or foreman position.
• Experience in corrugated packaging, paper, FMCG, automotive, plastics, or heavy manufacturing industries will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Toolmaking principles
  • Press tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and moulds
  • CNC machining
  • Conventional milling, turning, grinding, and drilling
  • Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
  • Precision measuring equipment
  • Preventative maintenance systems
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and maintenance management systems.