Tool & Die Build Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Tool & Die Build Manager for directing and coordinating all phases of die shop and tooling build operations, including die design review, procurement of materials, die fabrication, tryouts, PPAP readiness, and final tooling approvals within an automotive metal stamping environment. This role leads a team of tool and die makers through the complete tooling lifecycle — from engineering release and concept development through buy-off and production handoff — ensuring tooling is delivered on time, within budget, and to required quality and customer standards. The manager is responsible for managing personnel, workflow priorities, tooling schedules, and resource allocation while maintaining strong communication with engineering, production, program management, and maintenance teams.

Duties

• Lead and manage a team of tool and die makers engaged in the build of progressive, transfer, and draw dies for automotive metal stamping programs
• Manage die build schedules, tooling resources, and press time to ensure on-time completion aligned with customer deadlines, program milestones, prototype requirements, and SOP dates.
• Coordinate with engineering, production, and program management teams to review die design packages, part prints, GD&T requirements, engineering changes (ECRs), and manufacturability concerns to support successful program launches.
• Oversee all die shop and tooling build operations, including die design review, material procurement, die fabrication, tryouts, PPAP readiness, and final approvals to ensure projects meet quality standards, program timing, and customer requirements.
• Conduct tooling tryouts in-house and at stamping presses, evaluate forming issues and dimensional non-conformances, and direct corrective actions to achieve tooling buyoff and launch readiness.
• Maintain detailed documentation of schematics, assembly instructions, and maintenance records for all tooling projects
• Foster a safety-conscious environment by enforcing proper use of safety protocols during machining, welding, and fabrication tasks

Qualifications

• 5 years of hands-on experience in tool and die making within an automotive metal stamping environment
• 2 years of supervisory or lead experience managing a toolroom or die build team
• Strong working knowledge of progressive, transfer, draw, line, and compound dies along with tool manufacturing processes, materials, and machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret complex die designs, blueprints, technical drawings, GD&T, engineering specifications, and part prints.
• Experience with PPAP, APQP, FPI processes, and automotive quality systems; IATF 16949 experience preferred.
• Proficiency with CMM data, SPC, dimensional analysis tools, and troubleshooting tooling and forming issues.
• Familiarity with CNC machining, EDM, surface grinding, fitting, welding, and tooling tryout operations.
• Strong leadership, team-building, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to drive accountability and develop employees.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with ERP/MRP systems preferred.

Join us as a Tool & Die Build Manager where your expertise will directly impact our manufacturing excellence! We value innovation, precision craftsmanship, and continuous improvement—empowering you to lead a talented team in creating top-tier tooling solutions that drive our success forward.