Foundry Tooling Manager

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the VP of Cast Products, the Foundry Tooling Manager will lead and oversee all tooling-related activities within the foundry, ensuring the efficient design, manufacturing, maintenance, and optimization of tooling for both airset patterns, and investment wax tools. This role is responsible for managing the schedule and production of tooling and supervising a team of tooling personnel, driving best practices, and ensuring high-quality, cost-effective tooling solutions that meet production requirements.  THIS IS A DIRECT HIRE POSITION IN THE $100-115K RANGE.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all‑inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Leadership & Oversight

• Supervise and mentor Pattern Makers, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and productivity standards.
  
• Assign work priorities and manage workloads to meet project timelines and production schedules. 
  

Tooling Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement tooling strategies to optimize manufacturing processes and reduce costs.
  
• Ensure materials and resources for tooling are available on time for production needs. 
  

Technical Expertise

• Oversee the design, fabrication, and maintenance of tooling for investment and wax molding processes.
  
• Review and approve CAD/CAM programs, including Fusion360 and Simplify 3D, for tooling operations.
  
• Ensure proper setup and assembly of tooling for machining operations.
  

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and enforce quality standards for tooling and patterns.
  
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance tooling efficiency, accuracy, and durability.
  
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for tooling-related issues.
  

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with engineering and design teams to optimize tooling designs for manufacturability.
  
• Communicate effectively with production, procurement, and project management teams to align tooling activities with business objectives. 
  

Training & Development

• Provide technical training and mentorship to Pattern Makers and other team members.
  
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in tooling and pattern making.
  

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reports related to tooling projects and inventory.
  
• Manage tooling budgets and monitor cost performance.
  

Culture & Engagement

• Promote and uphold Company culture and Core Values through professional conduct, communication, and decision‑making.
  
• Foster a positive, respectful work environment that supports engagement and operational excellence.
  

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills with a proven ability to manage teams and projects.
  
• Extensive knowledge of foundry tooling processes, pattern making, and machining operations.
  
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software (Fusion360, Simplify 3D) and familiarity with CNC and 3D printing technologies.
  
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
  
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across multiple departments.
  

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
  
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in tooling, pattern making, or foundry operations, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
  
• Demonstrated success in managing tooling projects and leading technical teams in a manufacturing environment.
  

Benefits