We are currently looking for an experienced Tooling Development Engineer to play a key role in improving Essentra operational team's tooling strategy as well as drive and implement major dip and injection moulding tooling-related projects. You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and suppliers to ensure cost and time frames are regulated and tangible benefits such as reduction in waste and improvement in part quality are achieved.

In this role, you will utilise analytical skills to review sales and marketing data, quality concerns and production issues to select the best suited strategy for new tooling proposals. You will need to ensure that all new tooling, retooling and modification proposals meet required standards to ensure compliance and efficiency. In this varied role, you will also play a big part in supporting the design process, specification and introduction of new parts as well as supporting continuous improvement activities across different areas.

Essentra plc is a FTSE 250 company and a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items.

Headquartered in the UK, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes over 3,000 employees, 14 manufacturing facilities, 24 distribution centres and 33 sales & service centres serving c.74,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the tooling developments projects, tool design & build, through trials, approvals and into successful industrialisation to agreed tooling and drawing specifications, quality levels and within the estimated cycle times.  
• Liaise with key stakeholders at all levels and managing suppliers to meet required costs and time frames. 
• Drive gross margin improvements through tooling strategy. Using knowledge and analysis skills to review sales and marketing data, quality concerns and production issues to select the optimum strategy for new tooling proposals. Success is demonstrated by consistently achieving the benefits agreed from project proposals. 
• Support the design process, specification and introduction of new parts to both the Essentra standard range and for custom parts. Using and imparting the skills and knowledge of tooling design and development processes in order to achieve significant tangible benefits to production processes, measured through efficiencies, reduction in waste and improvement in part quality. 
• Ensure all new tooling, retooling and modification proposals meet required standards while continually developing these standards as part of Continuous Improvement.
• Be active in company Health & Safety culture by searching out and acting on potential improvements to raise H&S awareness. To drive ownership at all levels and raise employee engagement. 
• Using the input, experience and knowledge of the tooling review team and external toolmakers to establish best tool design to achieve required performance and quality levels by managing the feasibility process. 
• Create accurate and detailed CAPEX proposals as required for tooling projects, showing clear financial justification and ROI for projects to ensure smooth transition through the CAPEX system, Contribute to the purchasing phases. 
• Identify, implement & support cost and efficiency improvement projects through cavitation improvements, removal of non-value adding secondary operations, reduced cycle time, runner reduction etc 
• Support CI initiatives & 5S programs to drive change through tooling development.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience in a manufacturing and engineering environment within the injection moulding sector. 
• Experience of working within a similar role managing multiple tooling projects. 
• Strong understanding of tool construction and design. 
• A “team player” with the ability to work productively and easily with others. 
• Excellent personal organization, communicator and time management.
• Self-motivated and able to work alone is essential with a high attention to detail and builds excellent relationships at all levels.
• Jigs and tooling experience within a similar industry/background
• Basic CAD package operation. 
• Recognised project management certification. 
• Computer literate – MS Office including Excel/Word/Office.  
• Injection moulding tool design (desirable).
• Toolmaking background (desirable).
• Experience/qualification in CAD (2D & 3D) tool design (desirable).
• Recognized Manufacturing and Engineering qualifications (desirable).
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering Technician (Toolmaker & Tool & Die Maintenance Technician) (desirable).

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Up to 5% matched pension contribution
• 4x annual salary life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee discounts via My Discounts
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Cycle to work scheme
• UK Sharesave Scheme
• Free parking
• Working hours are Monday - Friday flexible between 08:00-17:00

At Essentra we are ideally looking for individuals who enjoy working as part of a close team, are passionate about what they do and who strive to make a difference. We are always looking to better ourselves and are keen to recruit individuals who like to innovate and improve processes.

As part of our recruitment process you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Documentary evidence will be requested at interview.