Tooling Engineer

SUMMARY This position is critical to the success of company products in that all KFI products rely on a fully functional mold package for Manufacturing to operate with.  The responsibility for the procurement and maintenance of all these mold packages falls on the Tooling Engineer to execute these functions.   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following: Possess a comprehensive understanding of heavy gauge thermoforming process and tooling as well as experience specifying tool details to outside vendors ensuring KFI receives quality prototype and production tooling meeting KFI Design Engineering Intent. Evaluate existing pattern and tooling vendors, qualify new vendors, and build and maintain strong business relationships with them. Provide prototype and production tooling quotation packages as requested. Include new Pattern, Plug, and Tool Costs in the estimates. Confer with Engineering and Production personnel and prepare tooling modification quotations as required. Direct and coordinate manufacturing and/or building of prototype tooling and production tooling. Negotiate competitive pricing with all outside tooling vendors. Maintains written company standards for pattern and tooling construction methods. Periodically works with Manufacturing to find new ways to reduce changeovers. Coordinates the daily activities of all shifts of Mold & Fix personnel.  Consult with Engineering and Production staff to clarify or resolve any issues related to tooling. Coordinate Tooling information between Engineering, Production, Scheduling, Warehouse, and Mold & Fix departments. Provide detailed information about tooling related to construction methods and materials, finishes and textures, and plumbing optimization. Monitor and track on site pattern and tooling inventories, submit forms for approval to scrap or return obsolete tooling with multiple years without production orders. Perform other job duties and assignments as business needs require.   QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree or five to eight years of related experience, training, or an equivalent combination. Working Knowledge of SolidWorks EPDM. Fundamental knowledge and experience using NetSuite ERP, including proficiency in creating requisitions and purchase orders within the system. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including MS Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, and MS Excel. The candidate must be capable of using these tools for communication, creating documents, and data analysis.   LANGUAGE SKILLS Fluency in English is required. The ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents and the ability to effectively present information to all levels of employees including top management in a variety of settings is required.   REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.   PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.   WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described in this section are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The production area temperatures can fluctuate significantly based on the time of year.  The noise levels can be moderate to high.  The use of hearing protection and safety eyewear is required while on production floor.  The use of additional specific safety equipment may be required.  The noise level in the office is usually quiet. The noise level in production is usually moderate.   WORK AVAILABLITY AND TRAVEL Must have the ability to work all shift schedules, periodic overtime, and be available for periodic weekend work. This individual is expected to be available outside of standard office hours in the event of tooling-related issues that immediately affect KFI production.   Travel requirements: <10%