Tool Room Lead/Frontline Leader

Allegion; Princeton (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Allegion is seeking a Tool Room Team Lead to oversee workload coordination, provide hands-on support for machining and tooling repairs, and supervise Tool Room staff. The role focuses on improving equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and ensuring safe, organized work areas.

You will collaborate with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering to address recurring tooling issues, drive continuous improvement, and maintain tool room records and performance metrics.

Qualifications

• Must possess strong mechanical and machining knowledge with the ability to provide technical direction to others.
• Must be able to prioritize multiple jobs, coordinate workload, troubleshoot manufacturing and equipment problems, and effectively communicate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering and other departments.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and assigns work orders; prioritizes tooling requests based on needs.
• Provide hands-on technical support and direction for machining, tooling repairs, modifications, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to support equipment reliability and minimize interruptions.
• Mentor Tool Makers and apprentices; assist in onboarding and skill advancement.
• Ensure safety and 5S standards; maintain orderly tool room and records.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Leadership

Blueprint interpretation

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Machine Tool Technology/Tool & Die

DOL-certified Journey Worker status

Apprenticeship program completion

Tools

Conventional/CNC machinery

Job description

Creating Peace of Mind by Pioneering Safety and Security At Allegion, we help keep the people you know and love safe and secure where they live, work and visit. With more than 40 brands, 14,000+ employees globally and products sold in 130 countries, we specialize in security around the doorway and beyond. Additionally, Allegion is proud to be recognized with the 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for the third consecutive year, earning distinction in both the employee engagement and strengths categories. This year, Allegion also received Gallup’s With Distinction honor - a designation reserved for a select group of organizations that go above and beyond in building exceptional workplace cultures.

Job Title: Tool Room Team Lead Department: Process Innovation Reports to: Maintenance Manager Labor Grade: T4 Comp Range: $40.19-$46.15 / hr

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Workload & Shift Coordination: Plans, coordinates, and assigns work orders; prioritizes incoming maintenance/tooling requests based on operational business needs and team capabilities. Provide hands-on technical support and direction for machining, fabrication, tooling repairs, modifications, and troubleshooting. Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to support equipment reliability and minimize production interruptions. Coordinate machining and fabrication work required for planned maintenance, breakdowns, continuous improvement projects, and production support. Work with Maintenance and Production leadership to identify recurring tooling and equipment issues and develop practical improvements. Team Supervision & Development: Coaches, mentors, and assists in the training of Tool Makers, apprentices, and technical staff; facilitates onboarding and skill advancement. Assist team members with troubleshooting and determining effective repair or fabrication methods. Provide technical guidance while remaining actively involved in complex or priority Tool Room work. Support the training and development of Tool Room personnel, including proper equipment operation, machining practices, troubleshooting, and safe work methods. Performance & Measurables: Maintains team efficiency, scrap reduction, delivery metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives within the department. Ensure Tool Room machines, equipment, tools, and work areas are maintained in a safe, clean, and organized condition. Support continuous improvement activities that improve safety, quality, equipment reliability, and manufacturing efficiency. Assist with maintaining appropriate tooling, materials, replacement components, and consumable supplies necessary to support Tool Room activities. Maintain team effectivity metrics, ensuring resource allocation and labor efficiency Safety & Compliance: Enforces safety regulations, OSHA guidelines (including machine guarding, power press safety, and lockout/tagout), and 5S workplace organization standards; promptly communicates potential hazards to management. Identify opportunities to improve Tool Room workflow, tooling reliability, repair methods, and overall efficiency. Promote safe work practices and ensure established safety procedures are followed.

Communication & Recordkeeping

• Maintains accurate tool maintenance and performance records; coordinates with cross-functional departments (production, engineering, maintenance) regarding tool status and operational needs.
• Monitor Tool Room jobs and communicate progress, material requirements, delays, and other concerns that could affect completion.
• Support the repair and modification of production tooling, fixtures, machine components, and other manufacturing support equipment.
• Collaboration within the Process Innovation team and with outside vendors on the development of new fixtures, processes, and machines
• Ensures Proper recordkeeping of prints processed through the tool room and digital backups stored in Windchill Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must possess strong mechanical and machining knowledge with the ability to provide technical direction to others. Must be able to prioritize multiple jobs, coordinate workload, troubleshoot manufacturing and equipment problems, and effectively communicate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering and other departments.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides day-to-day leadership and technical direction to Tool Room personnel. Coordinates work assignments and priorities, assists with troubleshooting and problem solving, monitors job progress, and helps ensure work is completed safely and effectively. Serves as a primary point of contact between the Tool Room and other departments regarding tooling, machining, fabrication, and repair needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Position requires regular work in a manufacturing and Tool Room environment. Duties may include standing, walking, bending, lifting, operating machine tools, handling tooling and components, and working around manufacturing equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment and established safety procedures must be followed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Requirements

High School Diploma or GED. 5+ years of precision machining experience in a Tool Room Environment Demonstrated leadership capability or previous supervisory/lead experience in a manufacturing/tool room environment. Proven experience in reading complex technical drawings, blueprint interpretation, and conventional/CNC machinery setup and operation.

Preferred Requirements

Associate degree in Machine Tool Technology, Tool & Die Making, or a related technical discipline. Completion of a state-certified Apprenticeship Program / DOL-certified Journey Worker status.

*This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee and are subject to change as necessitated by operational requirements.

We Celebrate Who We Are!

Allegion is committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Together, we embrace all differences and similarities among colleagues, as well as the differences and similarities within the relationships that we foster with customers, suppliers and the communities where we live and work. Whatever your background, experience, race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, we will make sure that you have every opportunity to impress us in your application and the opportunity to give your best at work, not because we’re required to, but because it’s the right thing to do. We are also committed to providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. If for any reason you cannot apply through our career site and require an accommodation or assistance, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team.

Allegion plc, 2023 | Block D, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland REGISTERED IN IRELAND WITH LIMITED LIABILITY REGISTERED NUMBER 527370 Allegion is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer Privacy Policy We are Allegion. A team of experts. United under a common desire; Protect today innovate for tomorrow. And never settle for the status quo. We believe in anticipating opportunities by sharpening our skills and finding new answers through collaboration. We believe in a safer, more secure world. We believe in providing peace of mind. We believe in being true to ourselves and to those who trust-in our protection. We are many. We are one. We are Allegion.