Job Title: Toolroom Manager (Will take a Toolmaker looking for step in their career)
Industry: Injection Moulding
Location: Derby
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Salary: £35,000-£50,000
Holidays: 25 flexible days (5 to be retained for Christmas shutdown) plus 8 statutory days
Role Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Toolroom Manager to oversee the effective operation of our toolroom facility, who comes from a strong background in injection moulding.
There is flexibility to take on a Toolmaker, who is looking for a step up in their career and the client will provide training/support to get the right person up to this level.
This is a hands-on role, requiring both technical proficiency and leadership capability to ensure the timely maintenance, repair, and readiness of all tooling. The role involves reacting to unplanned breakdowns as well as implementing a robust preventative maintenance strategy.
As Toolroom Manager, you will work closely with the Production Planning Department, ensuring accurate communication and work prioritisation.
Key Responsibilities:
* Prepare and maintain existing tooling in line with production requirements.
* Identify day-to-day tooling issues and implement corrective actions.
* Clean and maintain production tooling to support timely delivery and meet performance targets.
* Ensure tooling is safe, fully operational, and production-ready upon return.
* Notify Production when assignments cannot be completed as planned.
* Support engineering changes and maintain spare parts inventory.
* Check conformance of machined or repaired tools against specifications (dimensions, clearances, alignments).
* Engineer and manufacture machine parts/tooling as required.
* Fit and assemble parts and test tools for operational performance.
* Record feedback from production and quality teams following repair work.
* Communicate effectively with Production Supervisors and Managers.
* Manage and prioritise responses to tooling breakdowns in line with production needs.
* Monitor spare parts usage and stock levels; report and initiate reorders as needed.
* Conduct weekly 5S audits and ensure action items are followed through.
* Ensure team compliance with correct PPE usage and all health & safety requirements.
* Promote company Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) policies across the department and plant.
Essential Experience & Skills:
* Time-served apprenticeship in a relevant discipline
* Proven experience with mould tooling
* Excellent hand tool skills (tools provided)
* Proficient in reading engineering drawings
* Familiarity with toolroom equipment and overhead cranes
* Competent in using inspection tools (e.g., micrometers, height indicators)
* Experience with milling machines, lathes, surface grinders, and bench grinders
* Ability to implement and follow a preventative maintenance programme
* Strong communication skills at all levels of the business
* Capable of managing and prioritising multiple tasks
* Background in a manufacturing environment
Desirable Experience:
* Experience in repairing support tooling in a mould shop
* Skilled in operating CNC machines (lathes, mills, grinders)
* Strong knowledge of engineering materials (steels, alloys, etc.)
* Understanding of CMM reports
* Familiarity with repair and maintenance of hydraulic systems (cylinders, pipework)
* Knowledge of 5S methodology
Interested? Please forward your most up to date CV via the link or direct to
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