Die Setter

Challenge Manufacturing; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a dedicated operator to set up and change dies on large presses, ensuring parts meet quality standards per JES and production schedules. You will participate in preventative actions, document non-conformities, and support continuous improvement.

The role requires adherence to safety rules and active participation in training and audits. Based in Walker, MI on the 3rd shift, you will handle dies/tools, clamps, and related equipment, with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Must follow Quality Policy and document architecture.
• Understand JES and die set up sheets for quality parts.
• Participate in preventative and corrective actions; problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Set up and change dies on presses (200 Ton to 2500 Ton) per JES and setup sheets to meet quality standards and schedules.
• Explain how tasks impact customer satisfaction and align with Quality Policy.
• Identify and log non-conformities within the Quality Management System.
• Participate in training and audits; support continuous improvement efforts.
• Operate safety procedures and maintain clean, organized work areas.
• Mount dies/tools, feed guides, and guard devices; thread metal strips as required; install ejectors and air/oilers.

Skills

Quality policy understanding

Die setting

Press operation

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Measurement skills

Basic math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hilo/Die Truck

Job description

Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

Sets up and changes dies on small and large (200 Ton to 2500 Ton) Progressive, Secondary and Transfer presses according to prescribed Job Element Sheets (JES) and die set up sheets to ensure quality parts are produced per Challenge Manufacturing Quality Standards, production schedules and engineering specifications

What You’ll Do:

• Understands and can explain the company’s Quality Policy
• Understands job description and required tasks. Able to explain how this position impacts customer satisfaction and contributes to fulfilling the Quality Policy
• Understands the overview of Quality Management System and document architecture
• Understands and explain all relevant quality policy, procedures, and work instructions associated with this job description
• Understands and is able to identify Quality Management System and implementation; Document and/or log all non-conformity
• Participates in preventative actions where appropriate. Conducts corrective actions and perform problem solving analysis and reporting as required
• Conducts housekeeping for personal work area and shared facility space
• Observes and complies with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and statutory requirements associated with this job description
• Participates in needs analysis and attends and performs the requirements of scheduled training and educational programs identified for this position
• Participates, as requested, in independent objective auditing activities and supports company continuous improvement activities
• Stops work on processes as appropriate and contains suspect or defective material or services to avoid further processing.
• Positions, and safely clamps Dies/tools, feed guides, and Guarding.
• Threads metal strip from coils through pinch rollers, and/or loads Dies/tools with metal blanks
• Installs part ejection, and air blasts/external oilers.
• Installs any and all die protection devices

When and Where:

This will be a 3rd Shift / 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM SUNDAY - THURSDAY position located at our Plant in Walker, MI.

Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.

What You Need to Have:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Able to stand for 8-10 hours a day and be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED
• One to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Metal Stamping experience preferred
• Die setting in stamping preferred
• Lock out tag out experience preferred
• Press operating experience preferred
• Has high standards of performance for self.
• Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes.
• Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.
• Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress.
• Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.
• Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships.
• Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow.
• Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers.
• Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities.
• Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.
• Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.
• Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.
• Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely.
• Must be able to understand and follow written and verbal workplace instructions
• Must be able to work up to 12 hours per day including Saturday and Sunday
• Ability to use basic Measurement skills
• Ability to use basic mathematic skills
• Knowledge of controls systems for programming purposes.
• Ability to operate Hilo/ Die Truck