🔧⚙️ Confidential Job Posting: Tooling Manager – Advanced Manufacturing

Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Compensation: Approximately $85000 – $95000(based on experience)( Hourly role plus Overtime)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Precision Manufacturing / Industrial Machinery

Lead the Teams That Drive Precision Manufacturing

Our confidential client is a global leader in advanced manufacturing technology, supporting automotive and industrial OEM customers around the world. As demand continues to grow, they are seeking a Tooling Manager to lead several critical technical teams responsible for tooling performance, abrasives, and process development.

This position is a high-impact leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Advanced Technology and serving as a key partner in driving operational success, technical innovation, and continuous improvement.

This individual will act as the right-hand technical leader for the Director while overseeing multiple teams responsible for maintaining production efficiency and product quality.

⚠️ This is an urgent hire as the company continues to scale operations.

What You’ll Be Leading

The Tooling Manager will oversee approximately 15 employees across three technical departments:

• Tooling Team – Responsible for tool design, repair, rework, and preventative maintenance

• Abrasives Team – Responsible for procurement, maintenance, and production of precision diamond abrasives

• Process Development (PD) Team – Responsible for honing and laser process development as well as job honing projects

Your leadership will ensure that tools, abrasives, and process technologies are optimized for performance, efficiency, and quality.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, train, and mentor teams to achieve production and quality goals

• Develop team capabilities and technical expertise across departments

• Balance workflow and resources across multiple teams and priorities

Technical Oversight

• Oversee tool design, repair, rework, and preventative maintenance programs

• Support abrasive production and procurement processes

• Oversee process development projects related to honing and laser applications

• Act as the technical point of contact internally and externally

Operational Excellence

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce cost

• Coordinate with engineering, quality, and production teams to resolve tooling challenges

• Manage inventory, vendor relationships, and departmental budgets

• Plan production activities and capacity to ensure delivery commitments are met

Customer Support

• Travel to customer sites (up to 30% travel) to support troubleshooting and technical discussions

Administrative Responsibilities

• Establish maintenance procedures and documentation

• Track KPIs related to quality, production, and delivery performance

• Maintain organized reporting and operational documentation

What We’re Looking For

Leadership & Management

• Proven ability to build, train, and develop high-performing teams

• Experience balancing multiple technical departments and workflows

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of tooling design, repair, machining, and preventative maintenance

• Experience working with CNC machines and precision measurement tools

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability in manufacturing environments

Professional Experience

• 5 years of leadership experience in tooling, machining, or manufacturing environments

• Background in industrial machinery or precision manufacturing strongly preferred

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred (not required)

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, and temperature variations

• Requires standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs while following safety procedures

Typical plant schedule: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM, with frequent overtime including extended weekday hours and occasional half-day Saturdays.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Direct partnership with senior technical leadership

• Opportunity to lead three critical technical departments

• Work within a highly specialized precision manufacturing environment

• Strong opportunity to shape processes, teams, and technology

• Competitive compensation and long-term career growth

Confidential Application Notice

This position is being handled confidentially by an external recruiting partner.
Company details will be shared with qualified candidates during the screening process