Toolroom Manager – Automotive Stamping

About the role

The Toolroom Manager leads the Tool & Die engineering team, overseeing the full lifecycle of stamping assets and driving operational excellence in a high‑volume automotive stamping environment. The role is responsible for ensuring dimensional stability, optimizing tool maintenance strategies, and maximizing production efficiency while maintaining strict safety and quality standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Tool & Die ME team in developing and applying robust maintenance and engineering standards.
• Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programmes for all die sets to meet production volume targets.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis for complex dimensional issues and collaborate with Quality and Production to meet CP/CPK requirements.
• Ensure all toolroom activities comply with OHSAS, Ford safety standards, QOS, and 5S workplace organization.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce changeover times and improve die‑repair efficiency.
• Act as the final technical authority on tooling issues affecting exterior panels and lead surface‑quality investigations.
• Maintain checking fixtures, die standards, and metrology equipment calibration within budgeted OPEX.

Required profile

• National Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering with Tool & Die Making trade qualification.
• Minimum 10 years experience in automotive stamping, including at least 5 years focused on skin‑panel/Class A surface production.
• Proven track record managing large technical teams (20+ personnel) in a high‑volume toolroom or manufacturing engineering setting.

Required skills

• Expert knowledge of Class A surface requirements, die spotting and hand‑finishing techniques.
• Deep understanding of draw‑die development, spring‑back compensation and material behaviour in stampings.
• Advanced ability to interpret GOM/3D scanning data and CMM metrology reports.
• Lean Manufacturing implementation experience.
• OHSAS safety standards compliance.
• 5S workplace organization.