Toolmaker/CNC Machinist in Kempston, Bedford

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 07:00 - 16:00 & Friday: 07:00 - 13:00

Talent Media is delighted to partner with an established, highly respected manufacturer to recruit a Senior Toolmaker for a newly created position in their tooling department.

This is far more than a traditional Toolmaker role.

The successful candidate will work closely with the existing Tooling Manager, supporting the department while developing the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to progress into a future leadership role as part of a planned succession strategy.

For an experienced Toolmaker, Pattern Maker, or Mould Maker seeking a long-term career with genuine progression, this is a rare chance to join a business actively investing in the future of its tooling function.

The Opportunity

Initially, this role will remain highly hands-on, with about 90% of your time focused on toolmaking, mould manufacture, repairs, modifications, and new product development.

Working alongside an experienced Tooling Manager, you will gain exposure to wider departmental responsibilities, with a clear development pathway into a future management position over the next 2-3 years.

This role suits someone who enjoys the technical side of tooling but wants to progress their career and take on more responsibility in the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacture, modify and repair tooling, moulds and patterns.
• Produce high-quality tooling solutions from technical drawings, CAD data and customer specifications.
• Work with a range of materials including metals, resins, modelling boards and composite materials.
• Support new product development projects from concept through to production.
• Carry out tooling maintenance, fault diagnosis, and problem- solving.
• Collaborate with production, engineering and sales teams to optimise tooling performance.
• Operate and work within CNC machining environments using CAD/CAM software, including Mastercam.
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives across the tooling department.
• Support the Tooling Manager and contribute towards future departmental development.

What We're Looking For

We are open to speaking with candidates from a variety of tooling backgrounds, including:

Toolmaker | Senior Toolmaker | Pattern Maker | Mould Maker | Composite Toolmaker | Tooling Technician | Tooling Engineer | Prototype Toolmaker | Development Toolmaker

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate experience in some or all of the following:

• Toolmaking, mould making or pattern making.
• CNC machining environments.
• CAD/CAM software.
• Reading and interpreting technical drawings.
• Welding and fabrication.
• Tool repair and modification.
• Problem- solving within a manufacturing environment
• Supporting production and new product development activities.

Leadership experience is not essential.

However, we are particularly interested in speaking with individuals who have mentored colleagues, supported apprentices, acted as a technical lead or are keen to progress into leadership and management in the future.

Why Apply?

- Newly created role.

- Genuine succession planning opportunity.

- Clear pathway into future departmental leadership.

- Salary reviewed annually.

- Stable and growing manufacturing business.

- Early finish every Friday.

- Opportunity to work on varied and technically interesting projects.

- Long-term career development and progression.

If you're an experienced Toolmaker, Pattern Maker or Mould Maker looking for more than just another tooling role, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply or arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Leanne Cunningham at Talent Media.