2nd Shift Machine Shop Lead

Nolte-Precise-Manufacturing,-Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nolte-Precise-Manufacturing, Inc. is seeking a Machine Shop Lead to supervise CNC operators and oversee daily machining operations in our Cincinnati, OH facility. The role balances hands-on work (CNC turning/milling) with leadership, planning, and continuous improvement to meet production goals.

The ideal candidate will drive safety, quality, and efficiency, mentor technicians, and coordinate with maintenance, quality, and engineering teams to keep production on time and within standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading CNC operators in a manufacturing shop.
• Proven ability to plan and coordinate production to meet schedules.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 quality procedures.
• Strong problem-solving and hands-on machining oversight.

Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Coordination: plan, assign, and coordinate work across the department to meet schedules and priorities.
• Technical Leadership & Problem Solving: serve as escalation point for complex machining or program issues on CNC lathes and mills.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: ensure ISO procedures; perform inspections and address non-conformances with root-cause analysis.
• Safety Leadership: enforce safety policies and OSHA standards; conduct 5S audits and safety talks.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Initiatives: identify process improvements; lead Kaizen events and SOP updates.
• Performance Monitoring & KPI Management: track machine utilization, throughput, scrap, and labor efficiency; report metrics.

Skills

Production planning

Technical leadership

Quality management

Safety leadership

Continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing

Team leadership

Tools

CNC machining

Job description

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