About this role
CSP is the industry leader in the formulation and molding of lightweight, advanced composite components for the transportation industries. As an innovative, full-service Tier One supplier, we offer an entrepreneurial environment where you’re only limited by your own imagination. In addition to our team-focused environment, we provide industry-leading benefits, called BENEfits4U. Our comprehensive offering includes: affordable medical, dental, and vision care; flexible spending accounts; life insurance; 401k with company match and much, much more. Job Description 1. Department Standards & Governance
• Establish and own the enterprise-wide standards framework for the Advanced Tooling and Automation department, including equipment standards, design standards, build standards, and maintenance standards. • Develop, document, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all core department functions, including:
• Tooling quote scope-of-work development • Tooling lineup planning and structuring • Cost breakdown methodology and templates • Vendor selection and evaluation criteria • Tooling and equipment acceptance/runoff criteria
• Create and maintain a performance governance model — defining how standards are audited, how compliance is measured, and how deviations are escalated and corrected. • Serve as the final authority on tooling and equipment standards across all sites, ensuring consistency, cost control, and quality. 2. Tooling Quoting & Cost Standards
• Define the standard format and process for tooling quote scope of work, ensuring quotes are complete, comparable across suppliers, and aligned to program requirements. • Establish standardized tooling lineup structures (e.g., mold sets, fixtures, secondary equipment, automation cells) for consistent program planning. • Develop standardized cost breakdown structures (material, labor, engineering, controls, freight, contingency, etc.) to improve quote accuracy, cost transparency, and negotiation leverage. • Own the RFQ process for tooling and capital equipment, ensuring apples-to-apples supplier comparisons. 3. Advanced Tooling Design & Development
• Lead design, development, and validation of advanced tooling for composite molds, secondary equipment, and automation systems. • Oversee tooling readiness for new program launches, ensuring durability, repeatability, and on-time delivery. • Drive innovation into the tooling portfolio — evaluating new materials, processes, and design methodologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, simulation-driven design, modular/reconfigurable tooling) to improve cost, speed, and performance. 4. Advanced Manufacturing & Automation Development
• Develop and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, predictive maintenance, and Industry 4.0 tools. • Lead automation development end-to-end: concept, business case, design, integration, validation, and scale-up to full production. • Validate new processes and automated systems through pilot lines, ensuring scalability and reliability prior to full deployment. • Identify and prioritize automation opportunities based on labor efficiency, ergonomics, throughput, and ROI. 5. Controls Standardization
• Establish enterprise-wide controls standards (PLC platforms, HMI design, safety architecture, network/communication protocols, naming conventions, documentation standards) to ensure consistency, maintainability, and reduced spare-parts complexity across sites. • Partner with controls engineering and IT/OT teams to ensure new automation and tooling projects comply with controls standards from concept through commissioning. • Drive standardization of controls documentation, change management, and cybersecurity practices across all automated systems. 6. Supplier & Vendor Management
• Partner with suppliers to deliver best-in-class tooling and automation solutions within budget and timing requirements. • Develop and administer a formal vendor evaluation program — scoring suppliers on quality, cost, delivery, engineering capability, and responsiveness — to guide sourcing decisions and build a preferred supplier base. • Lead supplier performance reviews and drive corrective action when standards are not met. 7. Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Standards
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, and ergonomics. • Define and deploy enterprise standards for manufacturing layouts, material flow, ergonomics, and process optimization. • Benchmark industry trends and emerging technologies to keep the enterprise at the forefront of composite manufacturing and automation. 8. Cross-Functional Partnership
• Work closely with Product Development, Facilities, and Asset Management to align tooling and equipment strategy with long-term business objectives. • Partner with Finance to validate ROI and payback for capital equipment, tooling, and process investments. • Collaborate with Quality to ensure advanced manufacturing processes meet customer standards and regulatory requirements. 9. Financial & Program Management
• Manage budgets for tooling, equipment, and process engineering, including capital expenditures (CapEx). • Track project spend against budget and forecast, and report variances to leadership. 10. Performance Metrics & Reporting
• Define and monitor department and program KPIs, including:
• Tooling readiness (on-time, first-pass acceptance) • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) • Scrap and quality escape reduction • ROI on capital projects • Vendor performance scores • Controls standardization compliance
• Report regularly to executive leadership on program readiness, risks, and performance against standards. 11. Team Leadership & Personnel Management
• Build, lead, and develop the Advanced Tooling and Automation team, setting clear expectations and standards for individual performance. • Conduct structured personnel evaluations, including performance reviews, development planning, and succession planning for key roles. • Coach and mentor engineers and program leads to build technical depth in tooling, automation, and controls. • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the department. Qualifications Education
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Electrical Engineering required; or equivalent work experience. • Experience • 10+ years of progressive experience in tooling design, advanced manufacturing, automation, or industrial engineering, including 5+ years in a leadership role. • Proven track record of leading tooling and automation programs from concept through production launch. • Experience with composite manufacturing tooling strongly preferred. • Demonstrated experience developing standards, SOPs, and governance frameworks at an enterprise or multi-site level. • Experience managing capital budgets and evaluating ROI on equipment/automation investments. • Experience with controls platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens) and Industry 4.0/data integration tools preferred. Skills & Competencies
• Strong technical knowledge of tooling design, robotics, automation integration, and controls architecture. • Skilled in supplier negotiation, vendor management, and cost analysis. • Strong leadership, coaching, and organizational development skills. • Excellent communication skills, with ability to present to executive leadership. • Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability. If you enjoy innovation, and an opportunity to learn and contribute to a growing organization, CSP is the place for you!