Toolroom Manager

Protouch Staffing; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health and dental plans

401(k) with company match

Annual performance bonus eligibility

Paid Time Off and company holidays

Job summary

Protouch Staffing is seeking an experienced Tool and Die Shop Leader to direct daily toolroom operations and mentor a team of toolmakers. You will design and implement PM routines, manage inventory, and collaborate across engineering, QA, and production to optimize tooling performance.

The role requires hands-on expertise with manual and CNC equipment, EDM processes, and CAD/CAM software, plus a safety-first mentality and strong troubleshooting skills for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on toolroom or die shop experience.
• Prior supervisory or team-lead experience.
• Experience with manual machines, CNC centers, and EDM.
• Familiar with CAD/CAM tools for die review and drafting.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and safety mindset.
• Formal tool and die apprenticeship or journeyman preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Direct daily toolroom operations, including scheduling, fabrication, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of progressive, blanking, and forming dies.
• Team Development & Apprenticeship: Supervise, evaluate, and mentor a team of toolmakers; oversee hands‑on training within the toolmaker apprenticeship program.
• Preventative Maintenance: Design and execute scheduled PM routines for all active tooling to reduce unplanned downtime and extend die life.
• Tooling Procurement & Inventory: Manage toolroom inventory, tooling spare parts, raw tool steels, carbide components, shop supplies, and procurement of new machinery and accessories.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and production press room teams to solve tooling issues and support CI initiatives.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Enforce compliance with safety protocols, regulations, and internal standards.

Skills

10+ years experience

Leadership

Machining tools

Mechanical troubleshooting

Communication skills

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Job description

• Operational Leadership: Direct daily toolroom operations, including the scheduling, fabrication, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of progressive, blanking, and forming dies.
• Team Development & Apprenticeship: Supervise, evaluate, and mentor a team of toolmakers; actively oversee and conduct hands‑on training within the company's toolmaker apprenticeship program.
• Preventative Maintenance: Design and execute scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) routines for all active tooling to reduce unplanned press downtime and extend die life.
• Tooling Procurement & Inventory: Manage toolroom inventory, tooling spare parts, raw tool steels, carbide components, shop supplies, and procurement of new machinery and accessories.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and production press room teams to solve complex tooling issues, optimize run rates, and support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Enforce compliance with all workplace safety protocols, environmental regulations, OSHA guidelines, and internal operational standards.

Job Roles And Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Direct daily toolroom operations, including the scheduling, fabrication, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of progressive, blanking, and forming dies.
• Team Development & Apprenticeship: Supervise, evaluate, and mentor a team of toolmakers; actively oversee and conduct hands‑on training within the company's toolmaker apprenticeship program.
• Preventative Maintenance: Design and execute scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) routines for all active tooling to reduce unplanned press downtime and extend die life.
• Tooling Procurement & Inventory: Manage toolroom inventory, tooling spare parts, raw tool steels, carbide components, shop supplies, and procurement of new machinery and accessories.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and production press room teams to solve complex tooling issues, optimize run rates, and support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Enforce compliance with all workplace safety protocols, environmental regulations, OSHA guidelines, and internal operational standards.

Qualifications And Certifications

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of practical experience in a precision toolroom, tool and die shop, or metal stamping manufacturing environment.
• Leadership: Prior experience in a supervisory, team lead, or toolroom management capacity.
• Technical Proficiency: Practical working expertise with manual machine tools (lathes, mills, surface grinders), CNC machining centers, and Electrical Discharge Machining (Wire and Sinker EDM).
• Software: Hands‑on familiarity with CAD/CAM software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Mastercam) for die review, component drafting, and troubleshooting.
• Core Competencies: Strong mechanical troubleshooting, problem‑solving abilities, communication skills, and a safety‑first mindset.
• Preferred Credentials: Completion of a formal state-indentured or Department of Labor (DOL) Tool and Die Apprenticeship / Journeyman Card is strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Annual performance bonus eligibility
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays