9th September 2026 
Durban 
Full-time A well known Industrial engineering manufacturer based in Durban specialising in design, tooling and manufacturing for over 3 decades. They are looking for a suitable candidate to fill the role of Toolroom Manager in the toolroom department. The role reports to the Chief Operations Officer and has thes direct Subordinates: Tool, Jig & Die Makers, Tool, Jig & Die Maker Apprentices, CNC Programmer, CNC Operator, Technician, Artisan aide, Toolroom Welder
Job Purpose: To manage and provide technical leadership for the company’s complete tooling, fixture, jig and CNC machining capability, ensuring that new and existing stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and machined components are designed, manufactured, maintained and continuously improved to meet production, quality, customer and engineering requirements.
The Toolroom Manager is responsible for the complete tooling lifecycle, from design review and manufacture through to production support, breakdown repair, preventative maintenance, refurbishment and continuous improvement
- 1. KEY PERFORMANCE AREA
- Develop and implement a tool maintenance plan and an equipment Maintenance plan.
- Determine special requirements for each set of tooling, to ensure quality
- Agree deliverables with the customer.
- Timely submission of capex requirements and budgets within the time frame stipulated by Finance.
- Establish and maintain an effective and cost-effective structure.
- Monitor the systems in place to ensure compliance with legislation and company standards.
- Coach and train subordinates to ensure that they have all the required
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes and productivity.
- Look for opportunities for saving in relation to Company and Departmental KPIs.
- Daily Operations Meeting.
- Ensure that audit findings are resolved timeously.
- Cross-functional activity
- Manage the day-to-day operation and performance of the Toolroom and CNC machining function.
- Conduct and/or lead design reviews for all new stamping tools, checking fixtures, welding jigs and tooling manufactured internally, ensuring designs are fit for purpose, manufacturable, maintainable and capable of producing quality parts.
- Manage internally manufactured tooling from design through machining, toolmaking, assembly, trial and final handover to Production.
- Manage the CNC machines, CNC programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel, ensuring resources and capacity are effectively planned and utilised.
- Manage tool, jig and fixture breakdowns, ensuring timely response, effective repair and identification of root causes for recurring failures.
- Manage minor and major tooling, jig and fixture refurbishments, including repairs, replacement of worn components, modifications and engineering changes.
- Form part of the Cross-Functional Team (CFT) in addressing quality problems, process issues and scrap generated by stamping tools, welding jigs, checking fixtures or machining processes.
- Manage technical interaction with external toolmakers and machining suppliers where tooling or machining is outsourced, including design reviews, progress, trials, modifications and acceptance.
- Ensure tooling, fixture, jig and CNC documentation, drawings, programmes, maintenance records and modification histories are properly controlled.
- Identify opportunities to improve tool life, fixture reliability, machining efficiency, tooling cost and production performance.
- Develop and maintain standard practices for tooling design, maintenance, refurbishment, machining and problem solving.
- Lead, develop and manage Toolroom, CNC, programming and design personnel, ensuring appropriate skills, discipline, productivity and accountability.
- Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with company procedures, engineering requirements, customer requirements, quality standards and applicable IATF 16949 requirements.
Maintenance PM of equipment and Repair of Tools and PM
- Ensure that the tool maintenance plan accommodates breakdown requirements.
- Analyse reasons for breakdowns and ensure that repaired tools meet design standards and build in mistake-proofing.
Feasibility of new work (Engineering)
- Calculate the tonnage required.
- Calculate the blank size.
- Advise on the machinery required to produce the part, welding jigs, etc.
Determine Tool Design Specification
- Determine type and grade of steel to be used.
- Determine the most cost-effective way to manufacture the part.
Project Management
- Develop a project plan and scope.
- Assign responsibilities.
- Track progress and report back.
- Track actual expenditure vs budget.
- Collate information and submit a capex request where new equipment is required.
- Prove capability.
- MPT to validate quote rates.
- Establish machine capability.
- Create a BOM.
Budget Adherence
- Meet the Company and Departmental KPIs within the approved budget.
- Monitor adherence to budget.
Management of staff
- Ensure that all roles and functions are clearly spelt out with regard to Job Descriptions, KPIs, Roles & Responsibilities and Activity Schedules.
- Ensure that all employees have the resources and skills to meet their KPIs.
- Ensure that the appropriate work processes are in place and understood.
- All subordinates understand their authority levels.
- Ensure direct subordinates are performance managed in relation to company and Departmental KPIs.
Health and Safety
Training & Development
Continual Improvement
- Ensure that successful ideas are implemented.
- Ensure reduction of waste from processes.
- Ensure effective steps are taken to constantly meet Company and Departmental KPIs.
- Ensure direct subordinates are contributing to the Continuous Improvement mindset in their departments.
Cost Saving
Management Reporting
Minimum requirements
- Trade Tested Tool Jig & Die Maker
- 10 yrs experience in the Automotive industry in the Engineering and Design field
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/Production Management/Project Management
- 5 yrs experience in running Engineering Projects in the Automotive industry
- Extensive experience in tool Jig & Die Making – must have worked extensively with progression press tooling
- Extensive exposure to Co2 welding, resistance welding and spot welding
- Computer literacy – MS Office
- A good knowledge of tooling manufacture, processes and materials
- A good knowledge of engineering principle around strength of materials
- Read, understand and interpret engineering drawings and specification
- Basic financial understanding
- Understand applicable automotive quality standards
- Good spatial skills
- Good understanding of tools such as FMEA, Control Plans, work instructions and set up instructions
If you are interested and meet the requirements kindly submit your application to tsholo@boikagogroup.co.za before 30 September 2026