Toolroom Manager - Derby, Derbyshire

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 chloe.moss@mde-groupp.com.