Tool maker

JOB DESCRIPTION – TOOL ROOM MANAGERCompany: Otto Hofstetter India Pvt. Ltd.

Department: Tool Room / Manufacturing

Designation: Tool Room Manager

Reporting To: Plant Head / Operations Manager

Location: Peenya Industrial Area, Bengaluru

Employment Type: Full-time

1. Job PurposeTo manage and supervise all tool room activities, including mould maintenance, repair, machining, tooling development, preventive maintenance and refurbishment of plastic injection moulds. Ensure high standards of quality, precision, productivity, safety and timely delivery while optimizing manpower, machine utilization and operating costs.

• 2. Key ResponsibilitiesA. Tool Room Operations Plan, organize and supervise day-to-day tool room activities.
• Manage mould manufacturing, modification, repair, refurbishment and maintenance activities.
• Ensure jobs are completed as per drawings, technical specifications, quality standards and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate with production, design, quality and maintenance teams to resolve tooling-related issues.
• Monitor workload, job progress and machine utilization.
• B. Mould Maintenance and RepairPlan and implement preventive and corrective maintenance schedules for injection moulds.
• Diagnose mould failures, wear, dimensional issues, flash, cooling problems and other tooling defects.
• Ensure timely breakdown support to minimize production downtime.
• Maintain mould history cards, maintenance records and repair documentation.
• Identify recurring defects and implement permanent corrective actions.
• C. Machining and Technical ActivitiesSupervise machining operations involving CNC, VMC, EDM, wire-cut EDM, grinding, milling, turning, polishing and fitting, as applicable.
• Ensure correct interpretation of engineering drawings, tolerances and surface-finish requirements.
• Support mould assembly, trial runs, testing and final inspection.
• Ensure proper use of measuring instruments and inspection equipment.
• Promote precision machining practices and adherence to approved processes.
• D. Manpower ManagementAllocate jobs and responsibilities to toolmakers, machinists, technicians and other team members.
• Monitor employee performance, productivity, attendance and discipline.
• Train team members in tooling technology, machining practices, quality requirements and safety procedures.
• Develop employee skills and ensure adequate manpower availability.
• E. Quality and Continuous ImprovementEnsure compliance with quality management systems and internal procedures.
• Investigate tooling-related quality issues and implement root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Reduce rework, scrap, repair time and recurring mould failures.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardization and productivity enhancement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate technical records and ensure traceability of tooling activities.
• F. Planning and Cost ControlPrepare daily, weekly and monthly tool room activity plans.
• Monitor maintenance costs, tooling expenses, consumables and spare parts.
• Ensure optimum utilization of machines, tools, equipment and manpower.
• Coordinate procurement of tooling materials, spares and consumables.
• Monitor job completion time and identify opportunities to reduce operating costs.
• G. Safety and HousekeepingEnsure compliance with workplace safety rules and machine operating procedures.
• Maintain proper housekeeping and 5S standards in the tool room.
• Ensure safe handling, lifting, storage and movement of moulds and heavy components.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and safe working practices.
• 3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)On-time completion of tool room jobs.
• Reduction in mould breakdowns and production downtime.
• Preventive maintenance schedule compliance.
• Reduction in repeat repairs, rework and tooling-related defects.
• Machine utilization and manpower productivity.
• Tool room operating cost control.
• Quality of mould repairs and modifications.
• Compliance with safety, housekeeping and documentation requirements.
• 4. QualificationsDiploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Tool and Die Making, or an equivalent technical qualification.
• Additional training in mould design, CNC machining or precision tooling will be an advantage.
• 5. ExperienceApproximately 8–12 years of relevant experience in tool room operations, mould maintenance or precision tool manufacturing.
• At least 3–5 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Experience in plastic injection moulds and high-precision mould manufacturing is preferred.

Experience requirements may be adjusted depending on the candidate's technical expertise and the company's organizational structure.

• 6. Technical SkillsStrong knowledge of plastic injection mould construction, components and maintenance.
• Knowledge of CNC/VMC machining, EDM, wire-cut EDM, grinding, polishing and fitting.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T and dimensional tolerances.
• Familiarity with precision measuring instruments and inspection methods.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Proficiency in production planning, job scheduling and technical documentation.
• Basic knowledge of ERP systems, inventory control and MS Office.
• 7. Behavioural CompetenciesLeadership and team management.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Effective communication and coordination.
• Decision-making and accountability.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

8. Key Working RelationshipsInternal: Production, Design, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, Purchase and Management.

External: Tooling vendors, machining service providers, suppliers and technical service partners.

• 9. Authority and Accountability Allocate and prioritize tool room jobs according to production requirements.
• Recommend tooling repairs, modifications, replacements and process improvements.
• Monitor tool room performance, manpower deployment and consumable usage.
• Escalate major breakdowns, quality risks, cost overruns and delivery delays to management.
• Ensure accountability for tool room equipment, tools, materials and technical records.

10. Overall ResponsibilityThe Tool Room Manager is responsible for ensuring reliable mould performance, high-precision tooling, minimum production interruptions, efficient use of resources and timely completion of all tool room activities in accordance with company quality, safety and delivery requirements.