Toolroom Lead: CNC & Tooling Engineering

Headhunters; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters seeks a Toolroom Manager for a leading manufacturing client in Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal). The role requires extensive tooling, die making, and welding experience within the automotive sector, with leadership over toolroom and CNC teams.

You will drive design reviews, manage tooling life cycle from design to production handover, and ensure adherence to quality standards and budgets. Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/Production Management/Project Management.
• 10 yrs experience in the Automotive industry in the Engineering and Design field.
• 5 yrs experience in running Engineering Projects in the Automotive industry.
• Extensive experience in tool Jig and Die Making - must have worked extensively with progression press tooling.
• Extensive exposure to CO2 welding, resistance welding and spot welding.
• A good knowledge of tooling manufacture, processes and materials.
• A good knowledge of engineering principle around strength of materials.
• Read, understand and interpret engineering drawings and specification.
• Basic financial understanding.
• Understand applicable automotive quality standards.
• Good understanding of tools such as FMEA, Control Plans, work instructions and set up instructions.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation and performance of the Toolroom and CNC machining function.
• Conduct and/or lead design reviews for all new stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and tooling manufactured internally, ensuring designs are fit for purpose, manufacturable, maintainable and capable of producing quality parts.
• Manage internally manufactured tooling from design through machining, toolmaking, assembly, trial and final handover to Production.
• Manage the CNC machines, CNC programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel, ensuring resources and capacity are effectively planned and utilised.
• Manage tool, jig and fixture breakdowns, ensuring timely response, effective repair and identification of root causes for recurring failures.
• Manage minor and major tooling, jig and fixture refurbishments, including repairs, replacement of worn components, modifications and engineering changes.
• Form part of the Cross-Functional Team (CFT) in addressing quality problems, process issues and scrap generated by stamping tools, welding jigs, checking fixtures or machining processes.
• Manage technical interaction with external toolmakers and machining suppliers where tooling or machining is outsourced, including design reviews, progress, trials, modifications and acceptance.
• Ensure tooling, fixture, jig and CNC documentation, drawings, programmes, maintenance records and modification histories are properly controlled.
• Identify opportunities to improve tool life, fixture reliability, machining efficiency, tooling cost and production performance.
• Develop and maintain standard practices for tooling design, maintenance, refurbishment, machining and problem solving.
• Lead, develop and manage Toolroom, CNC, programming and design personnel, ensuring appropriate skills, discipline, productivity and accountability.
• Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with company procedures, engineering requirements, customer requirements, quality standards and applicable IATF 16949 requirements.
• Develop and implement a tool maintenance plan and an equipment Maintenance plan.
• Ensure that the tool maintenance plan accommodates breakdown requirements.
• Analyse reasons for breakdowns and ensure that repaired tools meet design standards and build in mistake-proofing.
• Calculate the tonnage required.
• Calculate the blank size.
• Advise on the machinery required to produce the part, welding jigs, etc.
• Determine special requirements for each set of tooling, to ensure quality standards are met during production.
• Determine type and grade of steel to be used.
• Determine the most cost-effective way to manufacture the part.
• Agree deliverables with the customer.
• Develop a project plan and scope.
• Assign responsibilities.
• Track progress and report back.
• Track actual expenditure vs budget.
• Collate information and submit a capex request where new equipment is required.
• Prove capability.
• Create a BOM.
• Timely submission of capex requirements and budgets within the time frame stipulated by Finance.
• Meet the Company and Departmental KPIs within the approved budget.
• Monitor adherence to budget.
• Establish and maintain an effective and cost-effective structure.
• Ensure that all roles and functions are clearly spelt out with regard to Job Descriptions, KPIs, Roles & Responsibilities and Activity Schedules.
• Ensure that all employees have the resources and skills to meet their KPIs.
• Ensure that the appropriate work processes are in place and understood.
• All subordinates understand their authority levels.
• Ensure direct subordinates are performance managed in relation to company and Departmental KPIs.
• Monitor the systems in place to ensure compliance with legislation and company standards.
• Ensure that a regular risk analysis is performed and appropriate plans are in place to mitigate identified risks.
• Coach and train subordinates to ensure that they have all the required competence to meet the company and Departmental Goals and KPIs.
• Ensure that training plans address performance shortfalls.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes and productivity.
• Ensure that successful ideas are implemented.
• Ensure reduction of waste from processes.
• Ensure effective steps are taken to constantly meet Company and Departmental KPIs.
• Ensure direct subordinates are contributing to the Continuous Improvement mindset in their departments.
• Look for opportunities for saving in relation to Company and Departmental KPIs.
• Ensure direct subordinates are meeting their KPIs.
• Daily Operations Meeting.
• Monthly Plant Exco Meeting.
• Ensure on-time and accurate reporting from direct subordinates.
• Ensure that audit findings are resolved timeously.
• Ensure compliance with all Company standards and procedures.
• Ensure all administration and documentation are presented neatly and professionally.
• Ensure that the quality of tools leaving the toolroom is to the defined quality standard of the customer.
• Adhere to all laid-down Company safety policies & the OHS Act.
• Report all unsafe equipment.
• Wear all PPE at all times.
• Ensure an understanding of the departmental budget, as may be applicable, and ensure a practice of cost control.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting as may apply to the respective KPAs for the position.

Skills

Engineering drawings interpretation

Tooling knowledge

Welding processes knowledge

Quality standards knowledge (IATF 169*

Education

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/Production Management/Project Management

Tools

FMEA

Control Plans

Work Instructions

Setup Instructions

Job description

Headhunters seeks a Toolroom Manager for a leading manufacturing client in Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal). The role requires extensive tooling, die making, and welding experience within the automotive sector, with leadership over toolroom and CNC teams.

You will drive design reviews, manage tooling life cycle from design to production handover, and ensure adherence to quality standards and budgets. Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement.