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Sr. Tooling Manager

Flex · Buffalo Grove, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the tool room you've run. How many people, how many molds and what kind of work?

What they are checking: Whether their scope fits managing a full tool room with new tools and production mold maintenance.

Tell me about a time you improved manufacturing efficiency through a tooling change.

What they are checking: Whether they connect tooling work to process results on the production floor.

How do you train your tool room team on safety and quality?

What they are checking: Whether they lead safety and quality culture, which the posting puts on this manager.

What would you do

A production mold breaks and the customer needs parts this week. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize, communicate and recover quickly under pressure.

How do you decide whether to repair a worn mold or build a new one?

What they are checking: Whether they can make cost and risk decisions based on data, not habit.

How do you work with customers on new tool and mold development?

What they are checking: Whether they can represent the tool room well with customers and manage expectations.

How do you prioritize the tool room's work when new builds, repairs and PM all compete for the same people?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan capacity and make tradeoffs visible to the business.

About the work

Walk me through how you take a new mold from prototype through mass production.

What they are checking: Whether they can manage the full tooling life cycle, which is the first accountability listed.

How do you set up a preventive maintenance program for production molds?

What they are checking: Whether they prevent mold failures through planned maintenance instead of only reacting.

How do you manage engineering change notices on molds so changes are controlled and documented?

What they are checking: Whether they keep tooling changes controlled, which matters a lot in regulated products.

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The full job description

As published by Flex.

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary. Job Summary General Purpose: Responsible for managing the Tool Room department and collaborate on projects with customers or internal colleagues, new tool and mold development, improvement of manufacturing processes, and maintenance of production molds. Assure product quality by implementing testing methods, equipment, and tools. Principal Accountabilities : • Management of new tooling requisitions from prototype or complex designs through mass production. • Responsible for improvements, major repairs, and Engineering Change Notice to the molds. • Implementation of preventive maintenance for production molds. • Develop manufacturing processes by studying product requirements including but not limited to researching, designing, modifying, testing manufacturing methods and equipment. • Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing tooling and process. • Implementation of quality and safety improvements in training for tool room team. • Generation and implementation of cost reduction ideas. Requirements: • High School Diploma • 15 years of experience in mold tool room or design activities • CNC tool room machinery programing • Ability to read mold design and improvements • Ability to apply common sense and to analyze and solve tooling problems • Ability to deal with customers and to lead a group. • Ability to speak and write in English. Mold Making, Quality systems, FAI, PPAP process, releasing process. • Demonstrates expert functional, technical and people and/or process management skills as well as customer (external and internal) relationship skills. • Demonstrates detailed expertise in very complex functional/technical area or broad breadth of knowledge in multiple areas. • Understands the strategic impact of the function across sites. MF15 What you'll receive for the great work you provide: • Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans • Life Insurance • Short-term and Long-term Disability • Matching 401(k) Contributions • Vacation and Paid Sick Time • Tuition Reimbursement 
 Application Deadline: Applications for this job position will be accepted for at least five days following the job posting start date below and continuing until the end date below or until the position is filled. This posting may close sooner due to application volume. Job Posting Start Date 09-09-2026 Job Posting End Date 11-09-2026

 The base pay range for this position is provided below. The final base rate offered will be determined using job-related, non-discriminatory criteria, including but not limited to experience, qualifications, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity. $146,700.00 USD - $201,700.00 USD Annual Job Category Production Engineering Is Sponsorship Available? No Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email accessibility@flex.com and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).

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