Toolroom Manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Job Description

• Responsible for the lifecycle management of stamping assets, toolroom operational excellence, and the technical development of the engineering team. Drive long-term dimensional stability and optimize tool maintenance strategies to maximize Strokes Per Minute (SPM) and minimize downtime

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Management: Lead the Tool & Die ME team in the development and execution of robust maintenance and engineering standards. Mentor and develop a high-performing team of engineers and technicians.
• Tooling Lifecycle & Performance: Oversee the preventative and predictive maintenance programs for all die sets. Ensure tool reliability to meet production volume requirements. 
• Dimensional Integrity: Drive root-cause analysis for complex dimensional issues. Collaborate with Quality and Production teams to ensure final panels meet strict CP/CPK requirements. 
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure all toolroom activities and die modifications adhere to OHSAS and Ford’s safety standards. 
• Continuous Improvement: Implement Lean Manufacturing principles within the toolroom to reduce changeover times and improve die repair efficiency. 
• Technical Problem Solving: Act as the final technical authority on complex tooling issues affecting exterior panels. Lead root-cause analysis for surface quality trends identified in the Quality Loop (QLS). 
• Asset & Standards Management: Maintain the integrity of checking fixtures and die standards. Ensure all toolroom and metrology activities comply with Ford’s Quality Operating System (QOS) and 5S standards. 
• Financial Management: Control departmental budgets (OPEX), focusing on specialized tooling consumables and metrology equipment calibration/upgrades.

Qualifications
Skills:

• Skin Panel Expertise (Mandatory): Expert knowledge of Class A surface requirements, die spotting, and hand-finishing techniques for exterior panels. 
• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of draw-die development, spring-back compensation, and material behavior in stampings. 
• Metrology Proficiency: Advanced ability to interpret GOM/3D scanning data and CMM reports to drive tooling adjustments. 
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage a large workforce of skilled tradespeople. 
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to bridge the gap between digital measurement data and physical toolroom intervention.

Education:

• Education: National Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering + Tool & Die Making Trade. 
• Experience: Minimum 10 years in Automotive Stamping, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years focused specifically on Skin Panel/Class A surface production. 
• Management Experience: Proven track record of managing large technical teams (20+ people) within a high-volume toolroom or manufacturing engineering environment.