Internal - Lead Tooling Technician (Lead Die Maker) - Night Shift - Die Shop

Continental; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Continental is seeking a Die Shop Lead at the Sumter plant to coordinate trials, drive tooling improvements, and mentor a skilled team. You will liaise with management and hourly staff to ensure safe, efficient operations and continuous improvement across sequences and PI activities.

Ideal candidates bring 2+ years in a die shop, strong leadership, and a commitment to ISO/process compliance. This is an internal position with a fixed shift and no relocation support.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two or more years of die shop department experience at Continental Tire, Sumter Plant.
• Willingness to work selected shift.
• Internal only position; external applicants will not be considered.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.; no sponsorship.
• No relocation assistance offered.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate die shop trials and PI sequencing activities.
• Manage die shop procurement, including orders.
• Collaborate with mixing and other departments to improve tooling.
• Oversee die shop operations and KPI reporting.
• Liaise between hourly employees and management; escalate issues.
• Mentor and train die makers to build a self-directed workforce.
• Ensure safety, quality, environmental, ISO compliance.
• Support problem-solving initiatives using CBS, 5 Why, 4D.
• Coordinate attendance and workforce needs with management.
• Demonstrate multitasking, flexibility and leadership.
• Follow plant, ESH, CBS, quality procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Safety

Problem solving

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 76,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division currently employs around 53,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.

Job Description

YOUR TASKS

Serves as the primary coordinator for die shop activities, trials, and cross-functional collaboration while driving safety, performance, tooling improvements, and team development. Acts as a liaison between management and employees, ensuring operational effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Serve as the primary contact for sequencing and Product Industrialization (PI) in coordinating trials and experiments.


• Manage procurement activities for the die shop, including orders and shopping carts.


• Partner with mixing and other departments to improve compound performance and tooling design.


• Oversee and report on die shop operations, activities, and KPI performance.


• Act as the liaison between hourly employees and management, escalating unresolved issues as needed.


• Lead, mentor, coach, and help train die makers to build a capable, self-directed workforce.


• Promote, monitor, and enforce safety, quality, environmental, ISO, and company policy compliance.


• Support problem-solving initiatives using established methodologies (CBS, 5 Why, 4D) and participate in related meetings.


• Coordinate attendance, vacation communication, and workforce needs with management.


• Demonstrate strong multi-tasking, flexibility, and leadership to meet departmental objectives and drive continuous improvement.


• Be self-managed, detail-oriented, and capable of performing under pressure.


• Follow all plant, ESH, CBS, quality, and department processes and procedures.


• Other duties as assigned.

NOTE: May not be inclusive of all work required and may be updated as needed.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

• High school diploma or equivalent


• Two or more years of die shop department experience at Continental Tire, Sumter Plant


• Must be willing to work selected shift for this position


• This role is an internal only position, external applicants will not be considered for this role


• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas now or in the future for this job posting


• No relocation assistance is offered for this position

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO-Statement

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [e-mail] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 76,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division currently employs around 53,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.