Ford Motor Company

Toolroom Manager

Ford Motor Company  •  Pretoria, ZA (Onsite)  •  1 month ago
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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

  • 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.

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.

Ford Motor Company

About Ford Motor Company

We don't just make history -- we make the future. Ford put the world on wheels over a century ago, and our teams are re-inventing icons and creating groundbreaking connected and electric vehicles for the next century. We believe in serving our customers, our communities, and the world. If you do, too, come move the world and make the future with us.

Ford is a global company with shared ideals and a deep sense of family. From our earliest days as a pioneer of modern transportation, we have sought to make the world a better place – one that benefits lives, communities and the planet. We are here to provide the means for every person to move and pursue their dreams, serving as a bridge between personal freedom and the future of mobility. In that pursuit, our 186,000 employees around the world help to set the pace of innovation every day.

Privacy Policy: https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/

Industry
Automotive & Mobility
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Dearborn, Michigan
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
ford.com
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