Assistant Tooling Manager

Job Title: Assistant Tool Room ManagerJob DescriptionThe Assistant Tool Room Manager supports daily tool room operations, leads Tool & Die personnel, and provides engineering support for tooling, dies, and manufacturing processes. This role focuses on die troubleshooting, process improvement, employee development, and ensuring that tooling performance consistently meets production requirements in a high-volume automotive stamping environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Tool & Die Makers and tool room personnel in day-to-day operations.
• Troubleshoot die, tooling, and production issues to minimize downtime and maintain quality standards.
• Support die maintenance, repair, modifications, and tryouts to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Review engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T requirements to guide tooling design and improvements.
• Utilize CAD data to support tooling enhancements and engineering changes for stamping dies and related equipment.
• Conduct root cause analysis and root cause failure analysis on tooling and process issues, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives within the tool room and production processes.
• Coordinate tooling activities to support production schedules and meet customer and internal delivery requirements.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards across all tool room and stamping operations.
• Assist with employee training, development, and performance management to build a high-performing team.
• Support process improvement projects and team development efforts to enhance efficiency and capability.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams on progressive dies, transfer dies, and other complex tooling.
• Apply APQP, PPAP, and FMEA methodologies to tooling and process development where applicable.
• Oversee welding and fabrication activities related to tooling and die repair as needed.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience in Tool & Die, tooling, stamping, or automotive manufacturing environments.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience with responsibility for team management and development.
• Strong blueprint reading skills with the ability to interpret complex drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency in GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerance) and its application to tooling and dies.
• Demonstrated experience with die troubleshooting in a stamping or automotive environment.
• Proven capability in root cause analysis and root cause failure analysis for tooling and process issues.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing or tool room operations.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with production, engineering, and tool room teams.
• Solid problem-solving skills with a structured approach to identifying and resolving technical issues.
• Tool & Die and stamping die expertise, including progressive dies and transfer dies.
• Experience working in an automotive stamping environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• CAD experience with tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar software.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and their application to tooling and production processes.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and FMEA processes in an automotive or manufacturing context.
• Welding and fabrication experience related to die repair and tooling modifications.
• Experience in process improvement and team development within a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to coordinate tool room activities across multiple shifts and adapt to changing production needs.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Work EnvironmentThis role is 100% onsite in an automotive stamping environment and requires regular interaction with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts. The standard schedule is approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but the Assistant Tool Room Manager will work different hours almost daily to touch base with all three shifts, which typically run 6:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. (1st), 2:00 p.m.10:00 p.m. (2nd), and 10:00 p.m.6:00 a.m. (3rd). The position often requires a six-day work week, including frequent Saturday work, as well as the ability to work extended hours on short notice to support scheduled and unscheduled tooling and production needs. The environment is hands-on and fast-paced, with close collaboration between tool room, engineering, and production teams. Employees benefit from growth opportunities, 11 paid holidays, and sick/medical days in addition to PTO, within a culture that emphasizes safety, quality, continuous improvement, and professional development. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Bowling Green, KY. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $145000.00/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.PTO & benefits 11 paid holidays 13% performance based annual bonus Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Bowling Green, KY. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Bowling Green,KY.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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.