Tooling Supervisor

Location: Elizabethtown, KY
Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
Environment: Union / UAW

Position Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Tooling Supervisor to lead tool room operations and a skilled team of Tool & Die professionals within a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for tooling performance, preventive and corrective maintenance, manpower planning, continuous improvement, and supporting production requirements across shifts.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on Tool & Die experience, strong leadership capabilities, and previous experience working within a unionized automotive manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Tool & Die personnel across multiple shifts.
• Oversee maintenance and repair of progressive, transfer, blanking, and roll-form dies.
• Support Destacker processes, progressive transfer operations, gripper systems, and related tooling.
• Develop and maintain tooling KPIs focused on reducing downtime, scrap, and overtime.
• Establish and execute preventive maintenance programs for dies and tooling equipment.
• Prioritize tooling activities based on production requirements.
• Manage manpower plans and Toolmaker assignments to maximize efficiency.
• Provide hands-on technical support in both the tool room and press area.
• Train and mentor Toolmakers on maintenance, troubleshooting, and tooling best practices.
• Lead tooling improvement initiatives and engineering changes.
• Manage die protection plans and preventive maintenance compliance.
• Implement and support QDC – Quality, Delivery, and Cost initiatives.
• Identify critical spare tooling components and ensure proper inventory levels.
• Support drawing reviews and new tooling/project launches.
• Maintain compliance with applicable ISO/IATF quality standards and audit requirements.
• Lead and maintain 5S and Lean Manufacturing practices within the tooling department.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other Tooling leaders to ensure production schedules are achieved.
• Hold the team accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and maintenance expectations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of Tool & Die / Toolmaker experience required.
• Tool & Die Class C experience required.
• 4+ years of leadership experience required.
• Previous experience within a unionized automotive or industrial manufacturing environment required; UAW experience strongly preferred.
• Associate degree in Engineering or related technical field with 7+ years of Toolmaker experience OR 10+ years of Toolmaker experience.
• Strong experience with progressive and transfer dies.
• Experience with die maintenance systems, steel treatments/coatings, and gripper systems.
• Strong understanding of preventive and corrective tooling maintenance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, JIT, KPIs, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and prioritization skills.
• Must be comfortable being hands-on in both the tool room and production environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Discounted gym membership