What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tool Design Manager position at AZEK Company?
Position Summary:
The Tooling Design Manager is responsible for leading the design, development, and execution of extrusion tooling projects to support manufacturing operations and new product introductions. This role manages internal tooling production and collaborates with external machine shops when additional capacity or specialized expertise is required. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in CNC mill and wire EDM programming and at least 10 years of direct experience in tooling design and fabrication. Oversight of a team of machinists and technicians may become an expectation based on organizational growth and demonstrated leadership capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of extrusion tooling solutions for polymer composite building products.
- Oversee the fabrication of tooling, including CNC milling and wire EDM processes.
- Program CNC mills and wire EDM machines to ensure precision and efficiency in tooling production.
- Collaborate with machinists and technicians, providing guidance and technical expertise.
- Design and implement new product and profile tooling to support product development and production scale-up.
- Work closely with product development teams to ensure tooling designs align with product specifications and manufacturing requirements.
- Evaluate internal capabilities and capacity for tooling projects and outsource work to qualified third-party machine shops when necessary.
- Develop and manage budgets and timelines for tooling projects, ensuring adherence to deadlines and cost targets.
- Conduct feasibility studies and performance assessments for new tooling designs.
- Ensure compliance with quality and safety standards throughout the tooling design and fabrication processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product design, manufacturing, and quality control, to ensure tooling meets operational and product performance requirements.
- Maintain accurate documentation of tooling designs, programming files, and project details.
- Potential to lead and manage a team of machinists and technicians as the organization grows.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in tooling design and fabrication, with a focus on extrusion tooling.
- Proficiency in CNC mill and wire EDM programming and operation.
- Strong understanding of materials, tolerances, and machining processes.
- Experience managing outsourcing relationships with third-party machine shops.
- Proficiency in CAD/CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Mastercam).
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in polymer extrusion tooling.
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
- Previous experience leading a team is a plus.
