CNC Team Lead

Position Summary

The CNC Team Lead is responsible for motivating, instructing, guiding, and supervising the daily activities of assigned team members. This role ensures that all work is performed in accordance with organizational policies, established procedures, and applicable laws. The position carries full supervisory responsibilities, including training employees, planning and assigning work, setting priorities, and monitoring performance.

The CNC Team Lead is also responsible for coaching and developing staff, conducting performance appraisals, recognizing strong performance, and administering corrective action when necessary. In addition, the role addresses employee concerns, resolves operational issues, and supports a productive, safe, and collaborative work environment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Supervise direct reports to ensure adherence to proper procedures and performance expectations.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and maintain a positive, productive work environment.
• Communicate work procedures, policies, and expectations clearly to staff.
• Prepare and issue work schedules, deadlines, and duty assignments based on workload; follow up to ensure timely completion.
• Manage employee timesheets, ensuring accurate reporting of work order numbers and labor hours.
• Assist with training and onboarding of new operators and support skill development for experienced team members.
• Ensure all safety and security practices are followed; enforce proper use of required PPE.
• Immediately report illnesses, injuries, or safety incidents; participate in accident investigations as needed.
• Maintain 5S standards to keep the shop clean, organized, and audit‑ready.
• Support compliance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure production schedules and priorities are followed; escalate issues that impact production and coordinate solutions with Supervisors or Managers.
• Perform daily point checks on assigned machines and report concerns; initiate maintenance requests when appropriate.
• Meet departmental goals related to efficiency, scrap reduction, setup time, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor manufacturing data to ensure process capability and product conformity.
• Independently set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC machining equipment in a regulated production environment.
• Diagnose and resolve machining, tooling, programming, and process issues to maintain production flow.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for process deviations.
• Complete complex rework on machined parts and repair fixtures as needed.
• Transfer programs from servers to CNC modules using computer network links.
• Interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.
• Support first‑piece validation, in‑process inspections, and quality compliance.
• Complete required internal training and periodic recertification for CNC Operators and Leads.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to optimize performance and resolve issues.
• Assist with developing and revising electronic work instructions and standard work documentation.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity.
  
  

Required Skills And Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Basic math skills required for measurements and calculations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy when finishing parts.
• Ability to assess machine performance and adjust processes based on specifications.
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to follow safety procedures, quality standards, work instructions, and communicate effectively with managers and team members.
  
  

Education And Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 5 years’ experience in Machining tight tolerance parts required.
• Experience with 3 & 5 Axis Milling and CNC Lathe preferred.
• Prior leadership or lead‑operator experience preferred.
• CNC certifications from a Technical College a plus.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time while operating equipment.
• Frequently pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying materials and metal components.
• Ability to bend, reach, and move throughout the production area as required to perform job duties.
• Ability to maintain concentration and attention to detail in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, and metal materials.
• Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory.