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 (url removed)