Lead, Tool & Die

Osmundson Manufacturing; Perry (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Osmundson Manufacturing is seeking an experienced Tool & Die Lead to oversee a four-person team. The role combines hands-on tool and die work with daily leadership, scheduling, and project coordination to keep production moving smoothly.

The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical and machining skills, the ability to read engineering drawings, and a proven track record of improving tooling performance while upholding safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years leading a Tool & Die shop with more than one employee.
• Experience coordinating daily shop operations and schedules.
• Strong hands-on tool and die building, maintenance, and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specs.
• Proficiency with manual machining equipment and CNC machinery.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on tool and die building, maintenance, repairs, and modifications.
• Read, interpret, and work from engineering drawings and specs.
• Operate mills, lathes, grinders, CNC machines, and related tooling equipment.
• Diagnose tooling issues and implement improvements to minimize downtime.
• Maintain tight tolerances using precision measuring instruments.
• Provide daily leadership and direction to a four-person Tool & Die team.
• Assign work based on skills and priorities; manage daily shop schedules.
• Coordinate with production and maintenance to address tooling needs.
• Ensure safety, quality, and on-time project completion.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Tool & Die

Problem solving

Tools

Mills

Lathes

Grinders

CNC machines

CAD/CAM

Job description

Description

Osmundson Manufacturing is seeking an experienced, hands-on Tool & Die Lead to help oversee our four-person Tool & Die team.

This is a working leadership position responsible for coordinating daily shop activities, assigning work, maintaining schedules, and ensuring quality workmanship.

The successful candidate must be capable of independently performing the same tool and die work as the employees they lead while balancing daily production priorities and providing technical guidance. This is not a desk-based supervisory position.

The ideal candidate has previous experience leading a small Tool & Die shop, strong mechanical and machining skills, and the ability to keep a team productive without sacrificing quality or safety.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled Tool & Die professional who enjoys working alongside their crew, solving problems, and taking ownership of getting the job done right and on time.

Main Function & Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on tool and die building, maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to support manufacturing operations.
• Read, interpret, and work directly from engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Operate toolroom machinery and equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, CNC machines, and other applicable machining equipment.
• Diagnose tooling problems, determine appropriate repairs, and implement improvements to minimize production downtime.
• Maintain tight tolerances and verify completed work using precision measuring instruments.
• Provide daily leadership, work direction, and technical guidance to a four-person Tool & Die team.
• Assign and delegate work based on employee skills, production priorities, and project requirements.
• Develop and maintain daily and weekly shop schedules to ensure projects are completed accurately and on time.
• Monitor job progress, identify potential delays, and adjust work assignments and priorities to meet manufacturing deadlines.
• Coordinate with production and maintenance departments to address tooling requirements, urgent repairs, and operational needs.
• Ensure team members have the necessary materials, equipment, information, and resources to complete assigned tasks.
• Work alongside team members to complete tooling projects while balancing leadership and production responsibilities.
• Ensure completed tooling meets engineering specifications, quality standards, and production requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain a clean, organized, and efficient toolroom environment.
• Provide hands-on training, coaching, and technical support to develop team members' skills and performance.
• Maintain accountability for workmanship, productivity, safety, and timely completion of assigned work.
• Communicate tooling concerns, scheduling challenges, and improvement opportunities to management.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve tooling performance, reduce downtime, and increase shop efficiency.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of experience leading or supervising a Tool & Die shop with more than one employee.
• Demonstrated experience assigning work, delegating responsibilities, coordinating daily operations, and managing shop schedules.
• Strong hands-on experience in tool and die building, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and modifications.
• Ability to independently perform the technical work required of the Tool & Die team while providing leadership and guidance.
• Proficiency in reading, interpreting, and working directly from engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Experience operating manual machining equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, and other toolroom machinery.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments to maintain tight tolerances and ensure quality workmanship.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose tooling problems and implement practical solutions.
• Familiarity with CNC machining, CAD/CAM software, and other applicable toolroom technologies; advanced proficiency is preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing environments involving metal stamping, forging, or forming dies is preferred.
• Experience building, maintaining, and repairing production dies and tooling is preferred.Demonstrated ability to improve tooling performance, reduce production downtime, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable.
• Excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, manage competing deadlines, and maintain efficient shop operations.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical responsibilities with team leadership and scheduling requirements.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, quality standards, and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to take ownership of shop performance, workmanship, productivity, and project deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with production, maintenance, and management teams to meet manufacturing objectives.