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JOB TITLE:                Tooling Lead  

REPORTS TO:          Tooling Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:        Engineering

LOCATION:              Charlotte, NC | Relocation assistance available

PAY RANGE:             $34.00 USD – $40.00 USD Hourly (will be based on experience, skills, and qualifications)

PAY/WAGE TYPE:     Hourly| Non-Exempt

WORK HOURS:        Full-time | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM or 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (based on business needs). Occasional overtime, including weekends, may be required.

JOB SUMMARY

The Tooling Lead is responsible for overseeing daily toolmaking activities, including tooling setup, maintenance, repair, and changeovers, to ensure reliable, efficient, and safe manufacturing operations at Plaskolite. This role provides technical leadership and guidance to the tooling team, ensuring dies, and related tooling are manufactured, maintained, and repaired according to established quality and performance standards.

The Tooling Lead works closely with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to coordinate tooling readiness, troubleshoots tooling-related issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in maximizing equipment uptime, minimizing lead time for new tooling and product launches, ensuring consistent product quality, and promoting safe and efficient manufacturing practices and promoting Plaskolite’s “One Plaskolite” culture of collaboration, integrity, and operational excellence.

This position requires attention to detail, the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and quality—reflecting Plaskolite’s core values of Integrity and Improvement.

ESSENTIAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manufacture plastic extrusion dies, tooling, jigs, fixtures, and gauges from raw material through final production-ready condition.
• Prepare raw stock and tooling blanks, including cutting, squaring, roughing, and finishing materials for machining operations.
• Program, set up, and operate Wire EDM equipment, including 4-axis cutting operations.
• Program, set up, and operate 3-axis CNC milling machines for precision machining of tooling components.
• Independently create CNC and EDM programs using CAM software.
• Operate manual machine shop equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, and drill presses.
• Utilize CAD/CAM software to support machining programs, tooling modifications, fixtures, and manufacturing processes.
• Design fixtures and workholding solutions for machined components and participate in broader tooling and die design discussions with senior tooling and engineering team members.
• Interpret detailed engineering drawings, models, GD&T, and technical specifications to accurately manufacture tooling components.
• Inspect machined components using precision measurement instruments to ensure tight tolerances and quality requirements are maintained.
• Assemble, fit, finish, and troubleshoot tooling to achieve production-ready condition.
• Work directly with plastic extrusion production lines to understand tooling functionality and manufacturing process requirements.
• Troubleshoot tooling performance during extrusion runs and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Modify and adjust tooling to improve material flow, dimensional accuracy, product quality, and overall performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing tooling life, reducing downtime, shortening tooling lead times, and improving workflow efficiency.
• Support capital projects, including the installation, setup, and validation of new dies and tooling systems.
• Assist with preventive maintenance programs for machine shop equipment.
• Support Maintenance by manufacturing components related to extrusion equipment and tooling systems.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in accordance with 5S principles and company safety requirements.
• Follow all machine operation procedures, safety standards, and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other cross-functional partners to support manufacturing efficiency.
• Demonstrate teamwork, accountability, integrity, and a commitment to PLASKOLITE's One PLASKOLITE culture and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Technical certificate, vocational training, coursework, apprenticeship training, or equivalent hands-on experience in toolmaking, machining, manufacturing technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive hands-on experience in toolmaking, machining, die/mold manufacturing or maintenance, or a related precision manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience manufacturing, repairing, or modifying dies, molds, fixtures, or other precision tooling.
• Hands-on experience setting up and programming Wire EDM equipment.
• Hands-on experience programming, setting up, and operating CNC milling equipment.
• Experience independently creating machining programs using CAM software.
• Experience operating manual machining equipment, including mills, lathes, and grinders.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and GD&T.
• Experience using precision measurement equipment and working to tight tolerances.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in any of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Plastic extrusion dies or extrusion tooling
• Plastic profile or sheet extrusion manufacturing
• Haas CNC equipment
• Mitsubishi or Sodick Wire EDM equipment
• Autodesk Inventor / Inventor CAM
• Esprit, Mastercam, Fusion 360, or similar CAM software
• 4-axis or taper Wire EDM cutting
• Surface or form grinding
• Die profiling and polishing
• Sinker EDM or electrode manufacturing
• Vacuum sizing equipment
• Journeyman Toolmaker training or certification 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of toolmaking, machining, CNC programming, Wire EDM, and precision tooling fabrication.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify tooling and manufacturing issues, determine root causes, and implement effective solutions with limited guidance.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to consistently produce, assemble, and inspect precision components to established specifications and tolerances.
• Quality Orientation: Commitment to high-quality workmanship and continuous improvement of tooling, processes, and shop practices.
• Initiative: Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and take appropriate action without constant direction.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with Tooling, Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned tooling projects, documentation, quality, and follow-through.
• Safety: Demonstrates a strong commitment to safe machine operation and established manufacturing safety practices.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Relocation Assistance
• Retention Bonus
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) and Employer Contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discount Program

ABOUT PLASKOLITE
PLASKOLITE is a global leader in manufacturing of engineering thermoplastics, including Acrylic, Polycarbonate, ABS, Olefin and PETG Sheet, Extruded Profiles and PMMA Polymers. Founded in 1950, by Donald Dunn and family, PLASKOLITE has a reputation for providing the highest quality products in the industry. Our innovative thermoplastic solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including glazing, safety shields, lighting, signs and point-of-purchase displays. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, Plaskolite delivers superior thermoplastic sheet, profiles, and polymers to the world through long-lasting customer relationships and hands-on customer service.

PLASKOLITE is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. If requested, the Company will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals where appropriate to allow the ++individual to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as doing so does not create an undue hardship on the business.