Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Die Shop Manager

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingTool & DieOperationsManagement

🎯 Role Definition

The Die Shop Manager leads the toolroom and die maintenance function to ensure reliable stamping and forming operations. This hands-on manager directs die design, build, repair and maintenance activities, coordinates die trials and press setups, manages tooling inventory and vendors, enforces safety and quality standards, and drives continuous improvement to reduce downtime and tooling cost. The role requires strong technical expertise in tool & die processes (CNC, EDM, wire-EDM, grinding), proven leadership in a manufacturing environment, and solid ERP/MRP and project-management skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Toolmaker / Master Toolmaker transitioning to supervisory responsibilities
  • Die Repair Technician or Toolroom Lead promoted into first-line management
  • Maintenance Supervisor or Pressroom Supervisor moving into dedicated toolroom leadership

Advancement To:

  • Manufacturing/Operations Manager
  • Plant Manager
  • Director of Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement
  • Tooling & Fixtures Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Production Supervisor (press/stamping)
  • Manufacturing Engineering Team Lead
  • Supplier Quality / Vendor Development Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Own end-to-end die shop operations including scheduling and prioritizing die builds, repairs, PM, and trials to ensure dies are available and qualified for production launches and daily press requirements.
  • Manage a multi-skilled team of toolmakers, die repair technicians, EDM operators, CNC machinists and apprentices; recruit, coach, develop, evaluate performance, and set clear expectations and career paths.
  • Lead hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis for die failures, press defects, and process variability; implement corrective actions and design changes to prevent recurrence.
  • Oversee die design reviews and collaborate with manufacturing engineering and product design teams to ensure dies are manufacturable, serviceable and optimized for cycle time and quality.
  • Direct die build and modification projects from estimation and quotation through planning, resource allocation, machining, assembly, tryout and sign-off, meeting cost, quality and schedule targets.
  • Implement and enforce preventive maintenance (PM) and predictive maintenance programs for dies, fixtures and precision tooling, including PM schedules, checklists and documentation.
  • Coordinate die trials, press setups and tryouts with production planners and press operators to minimize downtime and expedite qualification; supervise first-piece inspection and sign-off.
  • Maintain tooling inventory control, bin locations and kitting systems; define and enforce spare parts minimums, kanban replenishment and lifecycle management to prevent tooling shortages.
  • Manage tooling budgets, CAPEX requests and cost-to-repair analyses; track tooling repair costs, scrap, and life cycles to support ROI decisions and replacement strategies.
  • Maintain and continuously improve die shop layout, workflow, and equipment utilization; ensure CNC, EDM, grinders, presses, and assembly cells are properly configured and maintained.
  • Establish tooling standards, best practices, document control and work instructions including setup sheets, die history logs and change notices to preserve institutional knowledge and reduce set-up time.
  • Interface with purchasing and supplier development to qualify external tool vendors, subcontract EDM/CNC work, negotiate service agreements, and ensure on-time vendor delivery and quality.
  • Enforce safety, environmental and regulatory compliance in the toolroom, including lockout/tagout, PPE, hazardous material handling, machine guarding and housekeeping practices.
  • Apply lean manufacturing, 5S, TPM and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce die changeover time, scrap, and downtime; lead kaizen events and cross-functional improvement projects.
  • Use GD&T and blueprint reading to ensure tooling geometry meets engineering specifications and to verify critical features during build and repair.
  • Oversee the implementation and use of ERP/MRP systems for tooling work orders, spare parts tracking, labor reporting and cost allocation.
  • Develop and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as die uptime, mean time to repair (MTTR), die life, on-time repairs, tooling costs per part and first-pass yield to manufacturing leadership.
  • Plan and execute capital equipment purchases and upgrades for the toolroom (EDM, CNC, measuring equipment, presses, hoists) to expand capability and improve throughput.
  • Champion continuous skills development through formal training programs, apprenticeships and cross-training to create a capable, flexible workforce and reduce single-point dependencies.
  • Establish quality control practices in the toolroom including in-process inspection, calibration of gauges and measurement equipment, and documentation for PPAP/tooling release where applicable.
  • Lead technical projects such as die re-engineering for cost reduction, material change evaluations, and introduction of new processes (e.g., hard-coating, nitriding) that extend die life and improve part quality.
  • Coordinate closely with production scheduling to prioritize tooling work aligned with customer delivery requirements and production budgets.
  • Produce and maintain die history files documenting repairs, modifications, hard-face applications, and performance notes to inform future decisions and continuous improvement.
  • Mentor and develop succession plans for key tooling roles to sustain long-term die shop capability and knowledge retention.
  • Ensure efficient die shipping, storage, protection and handling procedures to prevent damage during transit between toolroom, press floor and external vendors.

Secondary Functions

  • Support business case development for tooling investments, presenting technical justification and ROI to senior leadership.
  • Participate in cross-functional launch teams for new product introductions to ensure tooling readiness and cost targets are met.
  • Collaborate with Quality and Supplier Quality to resolve supplier tool or component nonconformances and coordinate containment and corrective actions.
  • Provide technical input for process capability studies and assist in defining control plans that include tooling requirements.
  • Serve as the internal subject-matter expert for die-related audits, regulatory inspections and customer tooling reviews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Tool & die design and build expertise with experience in stamping, progressive dies, transfer dies and deep draw tooling.
  • Proficient in CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, NX, CATIA or similar) for die review, modification and fixture design.
  • Hands-on experience with CNC machining, wire-EDM, sinker EDM, surface grinding, and precision assembly techniques.
  • Strong knowledge of metallurgy, heat treatment, surface treatments (coatings, nitriding) and the impact on die life and part quality.
  • Expert blueprint reading and application of GD&T to verify tolerances and critical features during build and repair.
  • Press setup and tryout experience across mechanical and hydraulic presses, including tonnage calculations and strip layout optimization.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, IQMS or similar) for work order management, inventory control and cost tracking.
  • Proficient in implementing preventive maintenance (PM) programs, TPM and use of CMMS tools.
  • Strong QA understanding including PPAP, FAI, SPC basics and in-process inspection methods for tooling acceptance.
  • Project management skills: planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management and supplier coordination for tooling projects.
  • Data-driven mindset with capability to define and report KPIs, use production data to support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Experience managing vendor relationships, sourcing external machining and repair services, and negotiating service agreements.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people development skills, including coaching, conflict resolution and performance management.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication to coordinate across engineering, production, purchasing and customers.
  • Problem solving and analytical thinking with a bias for root cause analysis and practical corrective actions.
  • Organizational and time-management skills to prioritize competing requests and meet tight production schedules.
  • Change agent mindset capable of leading lean transformations and continuous improvement with measurable results.
  • Attention to detail and a quality-first approach while balancing speed and cost considerations.
  • Resilience and decisiveness under production pressure; ability to make timely trade-off decisions.
  • Collaborative team player who builds trust across functions and with external vendors.
  • Safety-first leadership to model and enforce safe behaviors and compliance in the toolroom.
  • Mentoring aptitude to grow technical skills and cultivate future toolroom leaders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with comprehensive tool & die trade experience; journeyman/toolmaker certification preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Tool & Die Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Machining Technology, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field is advantageous for larger operations.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Tool & Die Technology
  • Machining / CNC Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7–15+ years of cumulative experience in toolrooms, die repair, machining and press support with progressive responsibility.

Preferred:

  • Minimum 3–5 years in a supervisory or management role within a die shop or tooling organization.
  • Demonstrated track record in die build and repair, cost control, vendor management, and implementing Lean/TPM initiatives.
  • Experience with ERP integration for tooling work orders and inventory management.
Explore More Careers