POSITION TITLE: Machining Lead

REPORTS TO: Machining Supervisor

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Yes

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

DATE: 2025

SUMMARY: The Machining Lead will have a minimum of 1-3 years on CNC wood related experience. They will set up, maintain, and operate machinery. You will ensure the interminable and efficient running of production. A great machine operator is reliable and able to work with attention to detail and safety standards. On-the-job training is a good way to discover how to do the job better, so you should have willingness to learn and improve. Being a team player is essential since all tasks will require close collaboration with co-workers. The goal will be to ensure that production procedures will be carried on smoothly to maximize efficiency and profits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead, mentor, and support machinists to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, and adherence to shop standards
• Serve as a technical point of contact for machining questions, setup issues, and process improvements
• Assign daily work and prioritize jobs in coordination with scheduling and production leadership
• Provide hands-on training and coaching to develop machining skills, cross-training, and best practices
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement on the shop floor
• Communicate production status, constraints, and improvement opportunities to operations leadership
• Reinforce standard work, inspection requirements, and quality expectations across all machining operations
• Keep records of approved and defective units or final products.
• Set up machines (calibration, cleaning, etc.) to start a production cycle.
• Control and adjust machine settings while searching for opportunities to improve machine capabilities
• Test operation of machines periodically.
• Fix issues that might occur during the shift.
• Check output to spot any machine-related mistakes or flaws.
• Maintain activity logs.
• Set up CNC equipment to produce parts to match prints, including machining of complex profiles, milling, and horizontal and vertical drilling.
• Utilize CAD and CAM programs to program machine paths and tools at a PC or at the machine and send machine code to equipment using post processors.
• Required to maintain and repair CNC programs to current engineering specifications, including detailed tooling and gauging requirements.
• Provides set-up sheets and routings, including calculation of standard times for manufacturing or cost-reduction.
• Act as a backup to the Production Specialists.

COMPETENCIES:

• Utilization of existing optimization (HPO) software.
• Ability to integrate nested based manufacturing where required.
• Capable of comprehending an CAD/CAM programs along with interfacing with the latest nesting software.
• Ability to change tools effectively as needed and follow the tooling standard operating procedure.
• Ability to program all CNC equipment as provided.
• Proven experience as a machine operator.
• Proven ability to direct 5-8 machine operators and provide direction to 2nd shift team
• Working knowledge of diverse high-speed machinery and measurement tools (e.g., calipers, micrometer, etc.)
• Understanding of production procedures.
• Adherence to health and safety regulations (e.g., constant use of protective gear.)
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and manuals.
• Analytical skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Teamwork and communication skills.
• Physical stamina and strength.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates in a production shop environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually noisy and can sometimes be loud. Hearing protection is provided on a voluntary-use basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the contributor is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle controls; and talk or hear. The contributor frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The contributor is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop. The contributor must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and periodically lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 75 pounds with assistance. Must follow sound lifting techniques and if needed ask for help when lifting over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 5:00am to 3:30pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL: No travel is expected.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or GED preferred. Technical degree is a plus. A minimum of 1-3 years of hands-on CNC wood related experience.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS: Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check and substance abuse screen.

OTHER DUTIES: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.