Toolmaker / Bench Hand

Hewett Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable manufacturing firm in Worcester is seeking an experienced Toolmaker / Bench Hand to support tooling maintenance and production operations. You will maintain and repair press tools, ensuring efficient production. The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of progression press tooling and must be able to work independently. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and a stable, hands-on environment within a skilled engineering team.

Benefits

Established manufacturing environment

Opportunity to work with a skilled engineering team

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• Experience with progression press tooling and hands-on bench fitting skills.
• Ability to work independently to tight deadlines.
• Ability to support production teams with tooling adjustments.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, service, and repair press tools to ensure efficient production.
• Clean and degrease press tools returned from production.
• Communicate any tooling modifications for records updates.

Skills

Strong knowledge of progression press tooling

Ability to read and work from component drawings

Competent using surface grinders

Completed press tooling-based apprenticeship

Education

City & Guilds Level 2 in Engineering

Tools

Surface grinders

Milling machines

Lathes

Drills

Job description

Toolmaker / Bench Hand

Location: Worcester
Hours: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Company

Our client is a long-established manufacturing business with a busy press shop and dedicated toolroom. They are now seeking an experienced Toolmaker / Bench Hand to support tooling maintenance, repairs and production operations on site.

The Roleh3>

As a Toolmaker / Bench Hand, you will be responsible for maintaining, servicing and repairing press tools to ensure smooth and efficient production. This is a hands-on role requiring strong bench fitting skills, experience with progression press tooling and the ability to work independently to tight deadlines.

You will work closely with tooling engineers and press setters, ensuring tooling is maintained to a high standard, breakdowns are quickly resolved, and production downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.

Key Responsibilities

• Clean and degrease press tools returned from production for service or breakdown repair
• Strip down and rebuild press tools for regrind or replacement of components
• Work independently with minimal supervision from the tooling engineer
• Support press setters with tooling adjustments and repairs to keep tools running in production wherever possible
• Assist press shop staff in identifying correct parts, screws, dowels and components to avoid tooling damage or scrap
• Manufacture tooling parts during breakdowns to minimise production downtime
• Support production teams with changeover parts as required across shifts
• Report low stock levels of consumables to the toolroom office
• Report any defective tooling equipment or issues requiring attention
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe toolroom environment
• Communicate any tooling modifications carried out so designs and records can be updated

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• City & Guilds Level 2 (or equivalent) in Engineering
• Completed press tooling-based apprenticeship
• Strong knowledge of progression press tooling
• Ability to read and work from component drawings and tooling assembly drawings
• Competent using surface grinders (e.g., J&S type), milling machines, lathes, drills, taps and hand tools
• Able to work independently, confidently and safely
• Approachable, enthusiastic and receptive to instruction

Why Apply?

• Established manufacturing environment with long-term stability
• Hands-on, varied role supporting both toolroom and production
• Opportunity to work with a skilled engineering team
• Competitive salary and supportive working environment

To Apply

If you are an experienced Toolmaker or Bench Hand with strong press tooling knowledge and the ability to work independently, apply today with your CV.