Tool And Die Maker

Toyota Boshoku America; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 34,266 - 48,803; Full time

Job summary

A global automotive supplier is seeking a skilled team leader to direct toolroom activities and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in a related field, with 2+ years of leadership experience. Responsibilities include developing work procedures, motivating team members, and ensuring cooperative communication. This role offers an hourly wage of $30.15 and is primarily on-site in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, focusing on continuous improvement and productivity.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience required.

Responsibilities

• Direct team members in toolroom activities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and safety regulations.
• Develop standardized work procedures.

Skills

Leadership skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Technical expertise

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in related field

Tool and Die certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP Systems (e.g., Oracle)

Job description

Starting Pay: $30.15 per hour. Hours: 6:30 p.m. – 3:15 a.m.

General Summary

Directs Team Members in toolroom activities and in the execution of the group’s responsibilities. Support the areas of Tool & Die and maintain the overall Toyota Production System with a focus on minimizing downtime, increasing productivity, continuous improvement of tools, and coordinating preventative maintenance activities. Assigns tasks as an operational unit and is responsible to accomplish company goals and targets in accordance with all company policies, maintenance standards and methods, and standards for safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

Essential Job Functions

General

• Functions as a team leader with team members.
• Understand, execute, and ensure consistent compliance with all company rules, policies, and practices in accordance with the terms of the Team Member Handbook.
• Develop and maintain positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.
• Provide direction and motivation to team members emphasizing safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and morale.
• Responsible for leading and maintaining the maintenance and repair operations.
• Develop standardized work procedures by designing and/or documenting the best maintenance work sequence for each piece of equipment or tooling.
• Assign the work of team members by assigning/re-assigning work stationing based on current work situation and production schedules.
• Assign floor activities through consistent application of Toyota Boshoku Business Practices (TBBP) to ensure all aspects of Tool & Die maintenance and repair operations are effective and correct sub-standard situations.
• Perform the essential job functions of team members as necessary to maintain efficient, stable, and continuous operations.
• Assign and support Tool & Die maintenance activities on all production equipment, facilities, and utility systems to provide a reliable production platform.
• Assign and support activities of team members engaged in repair, maintenance, Tooling and Die repairs and help coordinated the installation of machines, tools, and equipment to ensure continuous production operations.
• Utilize knowledge and skills to maintain the highest level of safety and efficiency for machines, tools, equipment, etc.
• Partner with the Manufacturing and Maintenance departments to initiate investigation and containment activities.
• Troubleshoot daily safety, machine, equipment, and tooling issues.
• Be proactive in predicting abnormalities and finding innovative solutions to correct.
• Evaluate and analyze problems involving machinery and equipment and coordinates repair of tools and machinery. Participate in frequent evaluation of machines, tools, equipment, etc.
• Maintain a safe working environment for all team members.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, PPE requirements, and company safety policies and procedures.
• Lead, perform, and/or participate in 5S housekeeping, accident investigation, and safety audits and related activities.
• Maintain knowledge of procedures concerning Hazardous Waste, Spill Response, and Plant Security.
• Monitor safety and health of team members to ensure their well‑being.
• Train and coach team members, in performance, setups, trouble shooting, continuous improvement, and Tooling and Die operations.
• Provide multi‑skills training to effectively handle breakdown situations.
• Support further development of team members through, feedback, coaching, and cascade training.
• Communicate frequently with internal contacts on various issues.
• Through daily communication meetings, keep team members informed on issues relevant to them and encourage two‑way communication.
• Maintain daily and/or frequent communication with upstream and downstream groups/areas and support departments to ensure efficient and stable operations in a team‑based environment.
• Coordinate communications between shifts for assigned area(s).

Minimum Qualifications / Requirements

Education

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Associate’s degree in Business, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Tool & Die, Industrial Technology, or related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Skilled Trades journeymen status or certification from trade school, technical college, or apprenticeship preferred. Tool and Die certificate/diploma or equivalent experience required.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of previous leadership or supervisory experience required.
• 5 years Tool & Die Progressive die experience required.
• 2‑5 years’ experience in welding required.
• 2‑5 years’ experience with CAD, CNC programming a plus.
• Experience drawing & programming with MasterCam a plus.
• CNC, Machine shop, and Kaizen experience a plus.
• Working knowledge and experience with the Toyota Production System preferred.

Personal/Technical Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job functions of a leadership role.
• Ability to troubleshoot and track equipment issues to perform root cause analysis and correct issues with equipment suppliers.
• Must have a good working knowledge of industrial technology.
• Must be able to work in a multi‑skilled environment with maintenance aptitude to learn skilled trades other than area of expertise.
• Ability to read and interpret Tooling blue prints, drawings, specifications, and technical instruction manuals.
• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, Tool & die and repair operations.
• General understanding and working knowledge of manufacturing and assembly equipment and tooling including design, automation, robotics, or manufacturing processes (and all secondary related processes) relating to automotive interiors.
• Working knowledge of shop mathematics and the use of a variety of measuring devices and instruments.
• Ability to effectively facilitate problem solving and resolution.
• Ability to work with a dynamic team and demanding customer(s).
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, multicultural work environment.
• Ability to work with multiple departments and prioritize activities.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
• Ability to maintain on call flexibility to control abnormal conditions.
• Ability to be flexible in a constantly changing production environment.
• Active listener with effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to diagnose problems for true root cause and implement effective countermeasures.
• Must be able to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime.
• Must be able to multi‑task, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
• Ability to communicate and work well with all levels of the organization in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt available skills and equipment to respond to unforeseen demands and/or problems.
• Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency for assigned areas.
• Strong organization, time management, and planning skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines.

Language Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Computer/Software

• Previous experience working with integrated computer programs and/or applications. ERP System experience (e.g., Oracle) preferred.
• Solid working knowledge and demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Lotus Notes/Outlook, Internet, etc.).

Training Requirements

• Machines, tools, tooling, equipment, and other motorized or maintenance related equipment (e.g., cranes, lift trucks, etc.).
• Cross training for leading other plant support departments.
• RCRA and DOT hazardous waste requirements, and pass certification.
• Computer-based software, applications, and systems (e.g., Oracle, Kronos, Future 3, etc.).

Work Environment / Conditions

• Office: Open Office Environment, moderate noise level.
• Plant: Various types of manufacturing environments.
• Standard automotive plant environment with moderate noise level.
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as safety glasses, steel toe shoes, Kevlar sleeves, hearing protection, etc. may be required in designated engineering, manufacturing, or industrial areas. Personal attire standards may apply.
• Involves moderate or occasional presence of some slightly disagreeable conditions, i.e., cold, dust, heat, odor, etc.

Travel

Minimal

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is required to talk, hear, and see (with visual acuity). Performance requires mental alertness and sustained attention to needs of the department in terms of workflow, efficiency of operation, machine adjustment, and team member output. Performance requires physical ability to inspect, adjust, and operate equipment. The team member must be capable of walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time throughout plant. Occasionally climbing, stooping, or bending on, under, or near tooling and equipment. May be occasionally required to reach, grasp, and manipulate parts, materials, or equipment. May be occasionally required to lift up to 30‑50 pounds (with or without assistance).

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification, as well as certain essential job functions. It is not intended, and should not be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of team members assigned to this job. To qualify for this job, however, a team member must be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Under no circumstances may this job description be construed as altering the at‑will nature of the employment relationship between TBA and any team member.

EOE

EOE