Assistant Tooling Manager

Assistant Tooling Manager Bowling Green, KY

Position Overview A leading metal manufacturing organization in Bowling Green, KY is seeking an Assistant Tooling Manager to provide technical leadership and hands-on engineering support within its tooling division. Serving as a crucial link between Engineering and the Tool Room, this individual will support Tool & Die Technicians through complex troubleshooting, die development, engineering changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role combines technical engineering leadership, practical press tooling expertise, and team development. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in die construction and press operations, paired with the engineering mindset needed to optimize safety, quality, productivity, and tooling reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, technical direction, and training to Tool & Die Technicians, Makers, and tooling personnel.
• Troubleshoot complex tooling and die issues both inside and outside the press.
• Lead and coordinate die modifications, engineering changes, product launch activities, and continuous tooling improvements.
• Partner closely with Engineering on die design reviews, root cause analysis, tooling change validations, and manufacturing process enhancements.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, dimensional tolerances, and raw material specifications.
• Monitor tooling performance, downtime, corrective actions, and lean improvement initiatives.
• Perform hands-on tooling tasks when required, including TIG/MIG welding, die spotting, hand finishing, polishing, and material heat treatment.
• Operate tool room machinery and precision measuring equipment to verify dimensional tolerances, clearances, and tool alignments.
• Coordinate tooling priorities, preventative maintenance, repairs, spare parts inventory, and plant production support.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to address and resolve manufacturing challenges.
• Maintain strict standards regarding plant safety, quality, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a closely related technical discipline (Firm requirement).
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD data, dimensional tolerances, and material specifications.
• Solid working knowledge of manufacturing principles, tooling systems, die construction, and process capability.
• Proven experience supporting engineering teams through technical analysis, troubleshooting, tooling modifications, and process improvements.
• Strong practical understanding of tooling, dies, machinery, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction, mentor, and develop Tool & Die personnel.
• Solid understanding of press and assembly operations, quality systems, and manufacturing safety standards.
• Ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment, walk/stand throughout the plant, perform occasional bending/stooping, and lift over 40 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Background in formal root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Basic understanding of automation systems.
• Familiarity with Training Within Industry (TWI) principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

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