Toolroom Manager - Automotive Stamping Specialist at Ford Pretoria
Ford Motor Company of South Africa · Pretoria, Gauteng
Overview
Ford is looking for a seasoned Toolroom Manager to lead their Tool and Die team in Pretoria. You will drive toolroom excellence, manage stamping assets, and mentor engineers while ensuring top quality exterior panels. This senior role suits someone with deep Class A surface expertise and a strong track record in automotive stamping leadership.
About the role
Ford Motor Company of South Africa is seeking a Toolroom Manager to lead the lifecycle management of stamping assets, drive toolroom operational excellence, and develop the engineering team. You will be based in Pretoria and play a key role in maintaining dimensional stability and optimising tool maintenance to maximise Strokes Per Minute and minimise downtime.
In this role, you can expect to:
- Lead the Tool and Die ME team, setting robust maintenance and engineering standards.
- Mentor and develop a high-performing team of engineers and technicians.
- Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programmes for all die sets.
- Drive root cause analysis for complex dimensional issues and collaborate with Quality and Production teams.
- Ensure toolroom activities comply with OHSAS and Ford safety standards.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce changeover times and improve die repair efficiency.
- Act as the final technical authority on complex tooling issues affecting exterior panels.
- Maintain checking fixtures and die standards, ensuring compliance with Ford's Quality Operating System and 5S standards.
- Control departmental OPEX budgets for specialised tooling consumables and metrology equipment.
Requirements
- National Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering plus a Tool and Die Making Trade qualification.
- Minimum 10 years experience in Automotive Stamping.
- At least 5 years focused specifically on Skin Panel or Class A surface production.
- Proven track record managing large technical teams of 20 or more people in a high-volume toolroom or manufacturing engineering environment.
- Expert knowledge of Class A surface requirements, die spotting, and hand-finishing techniques for exterior panels.
- Deep understanding of draw-die development, spring-back compensation, and material behaviour in stampings.
- Advanced ability to interpret GOM or 3D scanning data and CMM reports to drive tooling adjustments.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a large workforce of skilled tradespeople.
- Analytical thinking skills to bridge digital measurement data and physical toolroom intervention.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Tool and Die ME team in developing and executing robust maintenance and engineering standards.
- Mentor and develop a high-performing team of engineers and technicians.
- Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programmes for all die sets to ensure tool reliability.
- Drive root cause analysis for complex dimensional issues.
- Collaborate with Quality and Production teams to ensure final panels meet strict CP and CPK requirements.
- Ensure toolroom activities and die modifications adhere to OHSAS and Ford safety standards.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce changeover times and improve die repair efficiency.
- 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 System.
- Maintain the integrity of checking fixtures and die standards.
- Ensure toolroom and metrology activities comply with Ford's Quality Operating System and 5S standards.
- Control departmental OPEX budgets, focusing on specialised tooling consumables and metrology equipment calibration and upgrades.
Job details
- Organisation
- Ford Motor Company of South Africa
- Location
- Pretoria, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior (10+ years)
- Education
- Diploma
- Category
- Automotive & Motor
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
If you are a seasoned toolroom professional with a passion for automotive stamping, this role at Ford is a significant career step. To stand out, tailor your CV to highlight your experience with Class A surfaces and leading large teams. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you solved complex dimensional issues or improved die maintenance processes. Ford values safety and quality deeply, so mentioning your familiarity with OHSAS and Quality Operating Systems will help. This is an on-site role in Pretoria, so ensure you are comfortable with the commute. Good luck!
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