2nd Shift Machine Shop Lead

Description

•  We are seeking for a Machine Shop Lead oversees daily machining operations, ensuring production goals, quality standards, and safety requirements are consistently met. This role provides hands-on leadership to CNC operators, coordinates workflow, supports machine setup and troubleshooting, and drives continuous improvement across the shop floor. The Machine Shop Lead maintains strong communication with production, quality, and maintenance teams to keep operations running efficiently.  This role balances hands-on machining (CNC turning, milling, Swiss and light assembly) with supervisory duties to ensure production goals are met safely, on time, and to quality standards .

Requirements

  Primary Job Duties:  

• Production Planning & Coordination: Plan, assign, and coordinate work across the department to meet production schedules and priority deadlines. Optimize machine schedules and labor allocation to maximize throughput and minimize downtime. Monitor that all necessary job materials, tooling, and documentation are prepared and available to support uninterrupted production.
• Technical Leadership & Problem Solving: Serve as the technical escalation point for complex machining or program issues on CNC lathes and mills. Assist operators in troubleshooting problems, making real-time adjustments to setups or feeds/speeds to maintain quality and efficiency. Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering on any needed program edits or tooling changes.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Ensure that all team members follow ISO 9001/AS9100 quality procedures and that in-process and final inspections are performed as required. Maintain high-quality standards by conducting spot checks on parts and reviewing production documentation for accuracy. Partner with the Quality department to address any non-conformances: assist in root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. 
• Safety Leadership: Enforce strict adherence to safety policies and OSHA regulations at all times. Ensure team members wear required PPE and operate equipment safely. Conduct regular safety talks and 5S audits of the area to maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment. Lead or participate in any incident investigations, and champion a “zero accident” culture where safe behavior and housekeeping are paramount.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Initiatives: Proactively identify opportunities to improve production processes, reduce waste, and decrease setup or cycle times. Lead and participate in continuous improvement projects (e.g. Kaizen events, 5S improvements, set up reduction initiatives) to drive efficiency and cost savings. Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), setup sheets, and best practice documents to standardize operations and share learnings across shifts.
• Performance Monitoring & KPI Management: Continuously monitor production performance metrics – such as machine utilization, throughput rate, parts output, scrap and rework rates, and labor efficiency. Analyze these key performance indicators (KPIs) daily/weekly to identify trends or issues. Implement corrective actions promptly when targets are not being met (for example, rebalancing workloads, adjusting machine programs, or retraining operators). Provide regular reports on area performance and status updates to management, along with data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Workflow and Issue Resolution: Anticipate and remove roadblocks that could hinder production (e.g. material shortages, tooling problems, documentation errors). Communicate any cycle time or tooling issues and improvement recommendations to Engineering or management and follow up to ensure issues are resolved and changes are implemented. Make real-time decisions to reassign labor or adjust schedule when unexpected problems arise, minimizing downtime and keeping jobs on track.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to achieve overall shop goals. Coordinate with Engineering on process improvements, new product introduction (NPI) trials, and validation of new tooling or fixtures. Liaise with Maintenance to schedule preventive maintenance and address equipment repairs promptly, ensuring machines are reliably available for production. Partner with Quality for any in-depth inspections, audits, or corrective action plans needed. When necessary, interface with Production Control/Planning to adjust schedules or priorities in line with customer needs and operational efficiency.
• Team Leadership & Training: Directly supervise 5–8 CNC operators’/setup technicians, providing clear daily direction and setting expectations for performance and conduct. Mentor and develop team members: provide hands-on training for machine setup and operating procedures, ensure cross-training occurs to build workforce flexibility, and share expertise in shop math, blueprint reading, and troubleshooting. Deliver ongoing coaching and constructive feedback to help each individual improve their skills and work quality. Foster a positive team environment built on respect, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Hiring & Talent Development: Participate in staffing decisions for the department. Work with management to interview and select new machinists/operators, focusing on both technical ability and cultural fit. Oversee the onboarding and training of new hires to ensure smooth integration and clear understanding of procedures and expectations. Assist in evaluating team members’ skills and identifying training needs or growth opportunities; contribute to succession planning by grooming high-potential operators for future lead roles.
• Performance Management & Communication: Monitor employee attendance, productivity, and adherence to company policies, addressing minor issues day-to-day and escalating recurring or serious matters to management as appropriate. Provide documented input on team member performance for formal reviews, including accomplishments, areas for improvement, and training progress. Uphold company policies consistently and help resolve interpersonal conflicts fairly and promptly to maintain a cooperative work atmosphere. Communicate regularly with the team about production goals, schedule changes, and company announcements, ensuring that information is disseminated effectively and feedback from the team is heard. Also report upward to management on status, accomplishments, and any needs or risks for the area.
• Equipment Maintenance & Resource Management: Oversee that machines in the area receive proper daily care (lubrication, cleaning) and required preventive maintenance tasks are completed on schedule. Quickly alert maintenance personnel to any equipment issues beyond the team’s scope. Ensure adequate inventory of tooling, inserts, gauges, and consumable supplies for the department; coordinate with the Tool Crib or Purchasing to reorder as needed, balancing availability with cost control. When new jobs or process changes occur, verify that appropriate tools and fixtures are ready and in place to avoid delays.
• Administrative Tasks: Verify and approve employees’ time entries and job hours for payroll as needed (ensuring accurate charging of time to work orders). Complete any required production paperwork or electronic entries (e.g. updating the ERP/MES system with job status, scrap counts, or shift reports) in a timely manner. Maintain organized records for the area, such as maintenance logs, training documentation, and safety checklists.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Carry out any special projects or additional responsibilities assigned by management. This may include participating in management meetings, contributing to capital equipment justifications, or helping to develop department budgets and goals. Flexibly step in to assist with production or other tasks outside the normal scope when necessary to support overall plant objectives.

(The Department/Area Lead should be prepared to adapt to changing priorities and take on new challenges in line with the dynamic needs of a high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environment.)

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of experience in precision CNC machining, including significant experience with both turning and milling operations. At least 2+ years in a lead or supervisory capacity in a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred. Hands-on background as a CNC setup/operator is required; familiarity with both small lot/job-shop and production run settings is ideal.
• Technical Proficiency: Expert knowledge of CNC machines (lathes and mills) and machining processes, including setup, operation, basic programming, and adjustment of feeds/speeds. Strong ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T symbols. Proficient in shop mathematics and use of precision measuring instruments to verify part conformance. Experience with a variety of materials (steel, aluminum, etc.) and understanding of cutting tool selection and optimization for different applications. Capable of diagnosing machining problems (e.g. tooling wear, program errors, tolerance issues) and implementing solutions on the fly.
• Quality & Process Knowledge: Working knowledge of ISO 9001 / AS9100 quality management systems and commitment to following standardized work instructions and inspection procedures. Trained in basic quality control methods – able to perform first-piece, in-process, and final inspections using measuring tools, and to interpret inspection reports or CMM data. Familiarity with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action processes (experience writing or contributing to CARs/8D reports is a plus).
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated experience with lean manufacturing principles such as 5S, Kaizen, and waste reduction techniques. Ability to analyze workflow and process data to identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks. Participation in continuous improvement initiatives or events (e.g. led a setup time reduction project, implemented a kanban system, etc.) is highly desirable. Six Sigma or Lean certification is a plus but not required. A mindset of continuous improvement and willingness to challenge the status quo is essential.
• Leadership & People Skills: Strong leadership qualities with the ability to coach and motivate a team of operators toward high performance. Excellent communication skills are required – able to give clear instructions and training, as well as listen to operator feedback and address concerns. Effective at conflict resolution and maintaining professionalism under pressure. Proven track record of driving a culture of accountability, quality, and safety on the shop floor. Must lead by example with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and adherence to company policies and safety rules.
• Planning & Organizational Ability: Highly organized in managing multiple jobs and responsibilities. Skillful in production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet targets. Capable of juggling short-term urgent needs with long-term improvement activities. Diligent in record-keeping and documentation. Must have keen attention to detail to ensure nothing falls through the cracks – from completing checklists to updating status boards or logs accurately.
• Computer & Systems Skills: Proficiency with basic computer applications and manufacturing software systems. Experience using ERP systems to review schedules, enter production data, or check inventory is required (experience with E2 Shop System, JobBOSS, SAP, or similar is beneficial). Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) for communication and reporting. Comfortable learning new digital tools – for example, using tablets on the shop floor for real-time data entry or retrieval.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional technical education is a plus – such as a trade school certificate or associate degree in manufacturing technology, machining, or a related field. Continuous learning is encouraged; relevant courses in CNC programming, supervisory skills, or lean manufacturing will be considered favorably.
• Physical & Work Environment: Ability to work on the shop floor around industrial machinery. Must be able to stand for extended periods, and perform routine bending, lifting, and maneuvering of materials or equipment (lifting up to ~50 lbs safely). Tolerance for a manufacturing environment with moderate noise, coolant/oil, and changing temperatures is necessary (hearing protection and other PPE will be provided as required). Must adhere to all safety protocols to navigate the production floor safely.

Work Environment:

This position is on-site in a precision CNC machining and assembly environment. The Department/Area Lead will routinely work near operating CNC machines and moving mechanical parts. The noise level is moderate to high, and machining fluids (coolants, lubricants) are present. Proper personal protective equipment (safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, hearing protection, etc.) is required at all times in the shop area. The role may involve flexible hours – our current operation runs on 2 shifts, 10-hour shifts. While the standard schedule for this role corresponds to the day/night shift, the Lead should be available to occasionally come in early, stay late, or support other shifts as needed for training or critical production pushes. Some overtime may be required to meet deadlines or to support customer demands. All employees in this role are expected to maintain a professional, cooperative demeanor and uphold Nolte’s core values in the workplace.