Toolroom Manager

Brace Able Manufacturing; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

You will have a strong background in automotive engineering, tooling design and project management, with extensive experience in welding processes and CNC machining. The role demands leadership, problem-solving and adherence to IATF 16949 standards.

Qualifications

• 10 years' experience in the automotive industry, especially in Engineering and Design.
• At least 5 years' experience managing Engineering Projects within the automotive industry.
• Extensive experience in Tool, Jig & Die Making and progression press tooling.
• Strong knowledge of tooling design, manufacture, maintenance, repair and refurbishment.
• Extensive exposure to CO₂ welding, resistance welding and spot welding.
• Experience in CNC machining and programming will be highly advantageous.
• Strong project management, problem-solving and technical leadership capabilities.
• Experience managing and developing technical teams.
• A strong understanding of quality systems and IATF 16949 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Toolroom and CNC machining function.
• Lead design reviews for stamping tools, jigs, fixtures and tooling.
• Oversee tooling projects from design and machining through assembly, trials and handover to Production.
• Manage CNC machines, programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel for capacity and utilization.
• Coordinate tooling breakdowns, with timely repairs and root-cause analysis.
• Oversee maintenance, refurbishment and engineering changes to tooling and fixtures.
• Collaborate in cross-functional teams to resolve quality, process and scrap issues.
• Maintain tooling drawings, CNC programs, maintenance records and modification histories.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for new work (tonnage, blank size, machine capability).
• Set tooling design specs, steel grades and manufacturing methods.
• Manage engineering projects (scope, deliverables, BOMs, budgets, CAPEX).
• Monitor budgets and ensure adherence to approved expenditure.
• Lead, coach and develop Toolroom, CNC, programming and technical staff.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, customer requirements and IATF 16949.
• Drive continuous improvement, productivity and cost-saving initiatives.
• Close audit findings within agreed timeframes.
• Provide timely management reporting and participate in meetings.

Skills

Tooling design

Project management

Quality systems

IATF 16949

CNC programming

Education

Trade Tested Tool, Jig & Die Maker

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Production/Project Management (advantageous)

Tools

CO₂ welding

Resistance welding

Spot welding

CNC machining

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the day-to-day operation and performance of the Toolroom and CNC machining function. Lead design reviews for new stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and internally manufactured tooling. Manage tooling projects from design and machining through assembly, trials and final handover to Production. Manage CNC machines, programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel to ensure effective capacity and resource utilisation. Manage tooling, jig and fixture breakdowns, ensuring timely repairs and root-cause analysis. Oversee preventative maintenance, refurbishment, modifications and engineering changes to tooling and fixtures. Participate in cross-functional teams to resolve quality, process and scrap-related issues. Manage technical relationships with external toolmakers and machining suppliers. Ensure tooling drawings, CNC programmes, maintenance records and modification histories are properly controlled. Conduct feasibility assessments for new work, including tonnage, blank size, machine capability and manufacturing requirements . Determine tooling design specifications, steel grades and cost-effective manufacturing methods. Manage engineering projects, including scope, deliverables, project plans, BOMs, budgets, CAPEX requirements and capability validation. Monitor departmental budgets and ensure adherence to approved expenditure. Lead, coach and develop Toolroom, CNC, programming and technical personnel. Ensure compliance with company procedures, engineering requirements, customer requirements, health and safety standards and IATF 16949 requirements. Drive continuous improvement, productivity, waste reduction, tooling reliability and cost-saving initiatives. Ensure audit findings are addressed and closed within agreed timeframes. Provide accurate and timely management reporting and participate in daily, weekly and monthly operational meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Trade Tested Tool, Jig & Die Maker Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Production Management or Project Management would be advantageous.

EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate must have:

10 years' experience in the automotive industry , particularly within Engineering and Design. At least 5 years' experience managing Engineering Projects within the automotive industry. Extensive experience in Tool, Jig & Die Making . Extensive hands on experience with progression press tooling . Strong knowledge of tooling design, manufacture, maintenance, repair and refurbishment. Extensive exposure to CO₂ welding, resistance welding and spot welding . Experience in CNC machining and programming will be highly advantageous. Strong project management, problem-solving and technical leadership capabilities. Experience managing and developing technical teams. A strong understanding of quality systems and IATF 16949 requirements.