Toolroom Manager

SUMMARY:
An Automotive Manufacturing Concern based in KZN - West of Durban - is seeking a Toolroom Manager.

Job Purpose:
To manage and provide technical leadership for the company's complete tooling, fixture, jig and CNC machining capability, ensuring that new and existing stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and machined components are designed, manufactured, maintained and continuously improved to meet production, quality, customer and engineering requirements.

The Toolroom Manager is responsible for the complete tooling lifecycle, from design review and manufacture through to production support, breakdown repair, preventative maintenance, refurbishment and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:
- Trade Tested Tool Jig & Die Maker
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/Production Management/Project Management

Experience:
- 10 yrs experience in the Automotive industry in the Engineering and Design field
- 5 yrs experience in running Engineering Projects in the Automotive industry
- Extensive experience in tool Jig & Die Making - must have worked extensively with progression press tooling
- Extensive exposure to Co2 welding, resistance welding and spot welding

Computer Literacy:
- Computer literacy – MS Office

Knowledge:
- A good knowledge of tooling manufacture, processes and materials
- A good knowledge of engineering principle around strength of materials
- Read, understand and interpret engineering drawings and specification
- Basic financial understanding
- Understand applicable automotive quality standards
- Good spatial skills
- Good understanding of tools such as FMEA, Control Plans, work instructions and set up instructions

POSITION INFO:
Performance Standard:
- Manage the day-to-day operation and performance of the Toolroom and CNC machining function.
- Conduct and/or lead design reviews for all new stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and tooling manufactured internally, ensuring designs are fit for purpose, manufacturable, maintainable and capable of producing quality parts.
- Manage internally manufactured tooling from design through machining, toolmaking, assembly, trial and final handover to Production.
- Manage the CNC machines, CNC programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel, ensuring resources and capacity are effectively planned and utilised.
- Manage tool, jig and fixture breakdowns, ensuring timely response, effective repair and identification of root causes for recurring failures.
- Manage minor and major tooling, jig and fixture refurbishments, including repairs, replacement of worn components, modifications and engineering changes.
- Form part of the Cross-Functional Team (CFT) in addressing quality problems, process issues and scrap generated by stamping tools, welding jigs, checking fixtures or machining processes.
- Manage technical interaction with external toolmakers and machining suppliers where tooling or machining is outsourced, including design reviews, progress, trials, modifications and acceptance.
- Ensure tooling, fixture, jig and CNC documentation, drawings, programmes, maintenance records and modification histories are properly controlled.
- Identify opportunities to improve tool life, fixture reliability, machining efficiency, tooling cost and production performance.
- Develop and maintain standard practices for tooling design, maintenance, refurbishment, machining and problem solving.
- Lead, develop and manage Toolroom, CNC, programming and design personnel, ensuring appropriate skills, discipline, productivity and accountability.
- Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with company procedures, engineering requirements, customer requirements, quality standards and applicable IATF 16949 requirements.
- Maintenance PM of equipment and repair of tools and PM
- Feasibility of new work (Engineering)
- Determine tool design specification
- Project management
- Budget Adherence
- Management of staff
- Health and safety
- Training and development
- Continual improvement
- Cost saving
- Management reporting
- Audit findings