Tooling Manager

About the role

The Toolroom Manager develops and leads the internal toolroom into a world-class tooling operation that supports business growth, rapid new product introduction (NPI), and internal tool manufacturing. This role provides strategic leadership across all toolroom functions, including operations, equipment planning, facility layout, staffing, training, process development, standardization, and capacity planning. The Toolroom Manager is accountable for safety, quality, delivery, cost, employee development, equipment utilization, tooling throughput, and overall toolroom performance, while fostering a culture of fun, excellence, accountability, and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the internal toolroom into a world-class tooling operation that supports current and future business growth.
• Provide strategic leadership for toolroom operations, including planning, prioritization, and execution of all tooling activities.
• Oversee equipment planning, including selection, justification, and implementation of capital equipment to support tooling capabilities and capacity.
• Design and optimize facility layout to ensure efficient workflow, safety, and effective utilization of space and equipment.
• Manage staffing for a team of 12+ direct reports and a growing department, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management.
• Develop and implement training programs to build technical and leadership capabilities within the toolroom team.
• Lead process development and standardization initiatives to ensure consistent, repeatable, and efficient tooling practices.
• Plan and execute capacity planning to align tooling resources with production demands and company growth objectives.
• Ensure accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and overall toolroom performance, and drive continuous improvement in each area.
• Oversee the design, build, and maintenance of molds for injection molding or equivalent precision manufacturing processes.
• Manage multiple tool build projects simultaneously, ensuring they meet technical requirements, timelines, and cost targets.
• Provide technical direction in tooling, tool design, mold building, machining, and tooling operations to support engineering and production needs.
• Utilize CAD-based product design and engineering design methods to guide tooling design and development.
• Use project management skills to prioritize and balance the workload of the team in alignment with company initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support rapid NPI execution and integration of new tooling into production.
• Monitor and improve equipment utilization and tooling throughput to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Maintain clear communication within the department to promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines and support production schedules and customer commitments.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of tooling experience in mold building, tool design, machining, or tooling operations.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a tooling or manufacturing environment.
• Experience building molds for injection molding or equivalent precision manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing tooling processes and managing multiple tool build projects simultaneously.
• Experience with capital equipment justification and implementation.
• Strong technical experience in tooling, tool and die, and tool design.
• Proficiency in CAD-based product design and engineering design methods.
• Proficiency with MS Office.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks.
• Strong mechanical aptitude to provide technical direction in engineering and tooling areas.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to structure work effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team.
• Project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and coordinate the workload of subordinates.
• Ability to work under pressure and consistently meet deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Tool & Die, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• Experience in tooling operations within an injection molding or similar precision manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to standardize processes and implement best practices across a toolroom.
• Ability to align departmental priorities with broader company initiatives and strategic goals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and transparently across all levels of the organization.
• Commitment to a culture that values fun, excellence, accountability, and transparency.

Work Environment

The Toolroom Manager leads a growing team of 12 or more direct reports in a dynamic environment focused on building the future footprint of the company's tooling capabilities. The role involves approximately a 75/25 split between office-based work and hands-on engagement on the shop floor. The office portion includes strategic planning, project management, design review, and collaboration with cross-functional teams using tools such as MS Office and SolidWorks. The hands-on portion involves close interaction with tooling, molds, and equipment in a precision manufacturing setting. The department operates in a culture that emphasizes fun, excellence, accountability, and transparency, with a strong focus on safety, continuous improvement, and supporting rapid new product introduction and ongoing production needs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Philipsburg, PA. This is a fully onsite position in Philipsburg, PA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $150000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Performance-based bonus and profit-sharing opportunities (where applicable)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.