Die Shop Manager

Role Description

The Die Shop Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Albia, IA, responsible for overseeing daily operations within the die shop. This role manages die maintenance, repair, and inventory, ensuring all extrusion dies are available, properly maintained, and meet production specifications. The Die Shop Manager coordinates workflows, assigns tasks, and supports team members to meet safety, quality, and delivery goals. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with production and engineering on die design and improvements, monitoring equipment performance, optimizing processes, and maintaining accurate records and documentation. The role also involves fostering a safe work environment, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and communicating effectively across departments to support on-time, high-quality manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

1.   Die Shop Leadership

·        Lead and effectively manage the Die Shop, Die Caustic Area, and Die Storage Area to monitor employee performance.

·        Schedule daily production and communicate quality requirements to all employees. Adjust assignments during the shift as conditions change.

·        Communicates issues with other leaders and management.

·        Mentors die shop employees and provides training and assistance with problems which may affect safety, quality, or productivity.

·        Order new dies from die suppliers. 

·        Provide continual improvement in the die shop.

·        Analyze extrusion and die performance data, leading to the correction or change in die design to improve extrusion, die performance, and die life.

2.   Die Shop Correction:

·        Visually and dimensionally inspect incoming dies from tooling suppliers, and document data on the inspection sheet.

·        Ensure that all dies are within operating standards.

·        Maintain documentation on repairs of dies and tools using digital cameras, scanned documents, Word documents, and Iowa Aluminum computer systems such as EPICS.

3.   Safety:

·        Follow all safety protocols and wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

·        Ensure Die Shop employees are trained and authorized to work in the caustic room.

·        Participate in safety and job training sessions as required.

4.   Record Keeping:

·        Keep accurate records of die performance and die repair performance.

·        Monitor die suppliers’ performance.

·        Monitor die sampling and die production runs.

5.   Team Collaboration:

·        Work closely with the die shop employees to ensure repair work is completed promptly. 

·        Ensure the die shop employees are working individually and collectively with other departments/shifts to work safely, maintain a clean working environment, product quality, and productivity.

·        Communicate with the Iowa Aluminum Team to keep them updated on die shop issues.

Qualifications:

-Die Correcting/Technical Knowledge: Extensive experience in die design and correction.

-People Skills: Strong interpersonal abilities, with a focus on efficient and effective communication.

 -Critical Thinking Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

 -Management Skills: Excellent management and supervisor skills.

 -Organization Skills: Ability to plan and organize schedules for die repairs and projects.

 -Attendance: Consistent and reliable attendance is required.