Pattern Shop Manager – Thermoform Tooling Leader

Peninsula Plastics; Auburn Hills, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Reimbursement Plan

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance (after 60 days)

401(k) with 50% match after 90 days

Job summary

Peninsula Plastics in Auburn Hills, MI is seeking a Pattern Shop Manager to lead our pattern shop team and oversee tooling projects. The role focuses on hands-on leadership of pattern making, wood and aluminum tooling, and production tooling support.

You will manage day-to-day operations, mentor staff, coordinate tooling development from design to production, and ensure quality and on-time delivery of thermoform and vacuum-form tooling.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in pattern making, tooling, mold making, machining, woodworking, metalworking, fabrication, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with thermoform and/or vacuum-form tooling, including creation, modification, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of production tools.
• Journeyman Pattern Maker certification or equivalent pattern-making experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or management experience in manufacturing, tooling, machining, or Pattern Shop environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of wood pattern fabrication, aluminum tooling, molds, fixtures, and production tooling.
• Knowledge of tooling requirements and processes for thermoforming and vacuum-forming plastic components.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with ability to identify and troubleshoot tooling, equipment, and manufacturing issues.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment and safe operation of pneumatic tools.
• Experience operating band saws, table saws, disk grinders, lathes, presses, and related shop equipment.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, technical drawings, specifications, measurements, and other engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Pattern Shop operations, including employees, projects, equipment, materials, tooling, and workflow.
• Lead, train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Pattern Shop staff.
• Prioritize projects based on production schedules, tooling requirements, deadlines, and business needs.
• Oversee tooling project flow from development through production release.
• Oversee creation of wood patterns for prototyping and production tooling.
• Oversee conversion of aluminum foundry castings into production tools.
• Create and oversee development of initial molds and tooling from designs and specs.
• Fabricate, modify, maintain, and repair thermoform and vacuum-form tooling.
• Create, modify, and repair fixtures for manufacturing, forming, trimming, and inspection.
• Utilize woodworking, metalworking, machining to maintain tooling and production tooling.
• Set up and operate Pattern Shop equipment.
• Monitor tooling performance and diagnose wear or issues.
• Support Production during tooling trials and process adjustments.
• Coordinate with departments to ensure tooling meets specs.
• Review completed tooling for dimensional accuracy and readiness for production.
• Maintain inventory of materials and tooling supplies.
• Identify opportunities to improve tooling processes, tool life, and shop efficiency.
• Communicate project status and tooling needs to leadership.
• Promote teamwork, safety, and high workmanship standards.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Organization

Education

Journeyman Pattern Maker certification

Equivalent pattern-making experience

Tools

CAD/CAM

Job description

Peninsula Plastics in Auburn Hills, MI is seeking a Pattern Shop Manager to lead our pattern shop team and oversee tooling projects. The role focuses on hands-on leadership of pattern making, wood and aluminum tooling, and production tooling support.

You will manage day-to-day operations, mentor staff, coordinate tooling development from design to production, and ensure quality and on-time delivery of thermoform and vacuum-form tooling.