Toolmaker - Tredegar

Injection Moulding Toolmaker

Location: Tredegar, South Wales

Salary: Depending on experience

Hours: Monday-Thursday (07:00-15:45), Friday (07:00-11:00)

General Purpose of the Role

Rhino Recruitment is working on behalf of an established manufacturing client based in Tredegar to recruit an experienced Injection Moulding Toolmaker.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the manufacture, maintenance, repair, modification and continuous improvement of injection moulding tools used within an automotive manufacturing environment.

The role is critical in ensuring tooling availability, dimensional accuracy, reliability and product conformity, while maintaining compliance with customer requirements, IATF 16949 standards and the company's Quality Management System.

Main Responsibilities

Tool Manufacture & Maintenance

• Manufacture, assemble, modify and repair injection mould tools in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications and required tolerances.
• Carry out planned preventative and reactive maintenance on injection moulding tools to maximise reliability and tool life.
• Diagnose tooling issues that may affect product quality, cycle times or scrap levels and implement effective corrective actions.
• Support mould tool trials, machine set-ups and validation activities alongside Engineering and Production teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve tooling performance, reliability and maintainability.

Quality & IATF Compliance

• Ensure all tooling activities are carried out in accordance with IATF 16949 requirements, company procedures and the Quality Management System.
• Ensure tooling repairs and modifications do not compromise product conformity, process capability or customer-specific requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date tooling records, including maintenance logs, tooling history and modification records.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions relating to tooling defects, quality issues and customer complaints.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the company's Quality Policy, quality objectives and the importance of customer satisfaction.

Risk Awareness & Control

• Identify tooling-related risks that could impact safety, quality, delivery, cost or production performance.
• Escalate tooling issues and potential risks promptly in accordance with company escalation and containment procedures.
• Apply a risk-based approach when carrying out tooling repairs, modifications or improvements to prevent unintended consequences.
• Ensure tooling is returned to production in a safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose condition.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Comply with all company Health, Safety and Environmental policies, procedures and legal requirements.
• Follow safe systems of work, including appropriate manual handling procedures and machine/toolroom safety requirements.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and 5S within the toolroom and associated work areas.
• Report hazards, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure tools, machinery and equipment are used safely and correctly.

Cross-Functional Support

• Work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering and Maintenance teams to support manufacturing requirements.
• Provide technical input regarding tooling performance, improvements and feasibility during new product introduction (NPI).
• Support tooling trials, investigations and production problem-solving activities.
• Liaise with external suppliers and toolmakers when required, under the direction of management.
• Provide practical technical advice and support to colleagues where appropriate.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling reliability, cycle time, quality and cost reduction.
• Identify opportunities to reduce tooling-related downtime, defects and production interruptions.
• Support internal and external audits by providing appropriate tooling records, maintenance evidence and traceability.
• Assist with the review and improvement of tooling work instructions, maintenance standards and technical documentation.
• Promote a proactive approach to tooling maintenance and continuous improvement.

The Successful Candidate

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working as an Injection Moulding Toolmaker, preferably within an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.

You will need to demonstrate strong practical tooling skills, attention to detail and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex tooling issues. The role will suit someone who is technically minded, methodical and comfortable working collaboratively with other departments.

Experience of working within an IATF 16949 or similarly structured quality environment would be highly advantageous.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in injection mould tooling manufacture, maintenance and repair.
• Strong understanding of injection mould tools and associated tooling components.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and work accurately to tight tolerances.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving tooling-related production and quality issues.
• Good understanding of preventative and corrective maintenance principles.
• Experience working within a quality-driven manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety requirements within a manufacturing/toolroom environment.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Production, Quality and Maintenance teams.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, safety and housekeeping.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established manufacturing operation in Tredegar, working in a technically focused role where your tooling expertise will have a direct impact on production performance, quality and reliability.

Rhino Recruitment is managing the recruitment process on behalf of the client. Further information regarding the company, package and working arrangements will be discussed with suitable candidates during the recruitment process.

To apply, please submit your CV to Rhino Recruitment for consideration.