The CNC Lead Parts role is responsible for leading the machining team in producing high-quality machine parts through programming, setup, and operation of CNC equipment while driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across the department.

This position serves as a working leader responsible for supporting team performance, developing operators, coordinating workflow priorities, and ensuring machining operations are executed efficiently and accurately.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and support CNC machinists and operators in daily production activities, ensuring quality, efficiency, accountability, and adherence to company standards.
• Coordinate workflow and prioritize jobs to meet production schedules, customer demands, and organizational goals.
• Provide hands-on leadership, technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and training to team members to improve overall machining capability and efficiency.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability throughout the department.
• Assist in evaluating employee performance, identifying skill gaps, and supporting employee development and cross-training initiatives.
• Lead machining plans by studying work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, materials, specifications, orthographic drawings, reference planes, locations of surfaces, and machining parameters; interpreting geometric dimensions and tolerances (GD&T).
• Lead stock inventory planning by checking stock levels, anticipating material needs, expediting orders, and verifying receipt of stock.
• Lead programming of mills and lathes by entering instructions, including zero and reference points; setting tool registers, offsets, compensation, and conditional switches; calculating requirements using math, geometry, and trigonometry; and proving part programs.
• Set up mills and lathes by installing and adjusting chucks, tools, attachments, collets, bushings, cams, gears, stops, and stock pushers; indicating vises; and tramming heads.
• Verify machine settings and part accuracy by measuring positions, first-run parts, and sample workpieces while adhering to international standards.
• Maintain specifications by observing drilling, grooving, and cutting operations including turning, facing, knurling, and thread chasing; taking measurements; troubleshooting processes; adjusting and reprogramming controls; sharpening and replacing worn tools; and adhering to quality assurance procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing setup times, improving throughput, minimizing scrap, and enhancing overall machining efficiency.
• Maintain safe operations by enforcing safety procedures, policies, and regulations.
• Maintain equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, troubleshooting malfunctions, and coordinating repairs as needed.
• Maintain continuity among work shifts by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, production concerns, and ongoing needs.
• Document actions by completing production and quality logs accurately and consistently.
• Support collaboration between machining, engineering, quality, and production teams to improve communication and operational effectiveness.
• Update job knowledge through educational opportunities, technical publications, and ongoing training.
• Accomplish organizational goals by accepting ownership for new and different requests while identifying opportunities to improve processes and add value to operations.

Requirements

Experience and Background:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and hold team members accountable in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead by example with a hands-on approach to problem solving and production support.
• Must have a proficient understanding of G-code and M-code programming.
• Experience setting up, programming, and troubleshooting CNC machines.
• Strong mathematical, mechanical, and technical aptitude.
• Must have GED or High School Diploma.
• Computer skills required: Excel, Word, Microsoft Outlook, and company manufacturing/order systems (Traverse).
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Flexible and responsive, with a strong teamwork orientation.
• Desire to learn new skills and continuously improve technical knowledge and leadership capability.
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and build positive working relationships across departments.
• Possess the ability to drive results, manage priorities, solve problems proactively, and maintain accountability for department performance.