Machine Shop Leader

Machine Solutions Inc.; Flagstaff (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Machine Solutions Inc. in Phoenix, OR seeks a Machine Shop Leader to oversee daily operations, schedule work, assign tasks, and ensure safety, quality, and on-time production.

You will coordinate CNC and manual machining, manage tooling and materials, mentor machinists, drive cost improvements, and collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues and support new product introductions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 7 years of manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in machining/manufacturing.
• Strong CNC machining background and machine shop operational expertise.
• Proficiency in reading engineering drawings and specifications.
• Working knowledge of GD&T.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor machine shop personnel while fostering accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Direct daily machine shop operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Manage production schedules, capacity planning, labor utilization, throughput, and bottleneck reduction.
• Ensure materials, tooling, fixtures, programs, and resources are available to support production requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for CNC machining processes, tooling strategies, and manufacturing methods.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve efficiency, capability, repeatability, and scalability.
• Lead troubleshooting of complex machining, tooling, fixturing, and process issues.

Skills

CNC machining

Machine shop leadership

Reading drawings

GD&T

Communication

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

Engineering degree (Assoc/Bachelor)

Lean Six Sigma / Kaizen certification

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

MRB / RCCA / PFMEA

APQP / NPI

Job description

Company Description

Machine Solutions Inc. provides advanced equipment and services for the medical device, biopharmaceutical, and blood and plasma collection industries, helping customers improve manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. Founded in 1999 and partnered with Forsyth Partners in 2011, the company focuses on acquiring established founder-led businesses with strong growth potential. Machine Solutions follows a buy-and-hold acquisition philosophy that preserves continuity, strengthens trust, and values the expertise of the people behind the products. Through the unification of brands such as MSI, SteegerUSA, BW-TEC AG, Vante, PlasticWeld Systems, Crescent Design, Beahm Designs, Vela Technologies, Alpine Laser, SEBRA, and Intec Automation, Machine Solutions offers a broad portfolio of industry-leading technologies. Team members join a growing organization committed to long-term relationships, innovation, and customer success.

Role Description

The Machine Shop Leader is a full-time, on-site role located in Phoenix, OR. This position oversees daily machine shop operations, including scheduling work orders, assigning tasks, and ensuring that production goals, safety standards, and quality requirements are met. The Machine Shop Leader coordinates the use of CNC and manual machining equipment, manages tooling and materials, and supports preventive maintenance to keep equipment running reliably. The role includes training and mentoring machinists and technicians, monitoring performance, and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste. The Machine Shop Leader also collaborates with engineering, production, and quality teams to resolve technical issues, support new product introductions, and maintain clear communication on priorities and timelines.

Machine Shop Leader Job Description:

Position Summary

The Machine Shop Leader provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of machine shop operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products. This role is responsible for production execution, workforce development, manufacturing readiness, quality performance, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.

Why Join Us

This position offers the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy, develop high-performing teams, improve operational capability, and play a key leadership role in bringing innovative products from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop machine shop personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Direct daily machine shop operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Manage production schedules, capacity planning, labor utilization, throughput, and bottleneck reduction.
• Ensure materials, tooling, fixtures, programs, and resources are available to support production requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for CNC machining processes, tooling strategies, and manufacturing methods.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve efficiency, capability, repeatability, and scalability.
• Lead troubleshooting of complex machining, tooling, fixturing, and process issues.

Manufacturing Readiness & Engineering Collaboration

• Create, facilitate, and drive Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs).
• Coordinate cross-functional action items and ensure production readiness prior to release.
• Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback during product development and design reviews.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, ECOs, and ECNs for manufacturing impact and implementation planning.
• Drive closure of manufacturing-related action items stemming from design reviews and engineering changes.

Quality Leadership

• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) discussions and disposition decisions.
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for nonconforming hardware and manufacturing escapes.
• Drive containment, corrective actions, preventive actions, and long-term process improvements.
• Support audits, quality initiatives, and first-pass yield improvements.

GD&T and Technical Governance

• Advocate proper application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Review drawings for manufacturability, inspection feasibility, and tolerance stack-up risk.
• Support Engineering and Quality teams with GD&T interpretation and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 7 years of manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.
• Strong CNC machining background and machine shop operational expertise.
• Proficiency in reading engineering drawings and specifications.
• Working knowledge of GD&T.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.
• Experience in aerospace, medical device, defense, or other regulated manufacturing industries.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Kaizen certification.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience with MRB, RCCA, PFMEA, APQP, and New Product Introduction activities.

Performance Metrics

• Labor Utilization and Absorption
• OEE and Throughput
• Scrap and Rework Reduction

Physical Demand & Work Environment:

The physical demands for this role include standing for extended periods, frequent walking, and performing repetitive motions such as bending, lifting, and reaching. There may be times that involve prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, using a computer, and engaging in repetitive hand movements for tasks like typing or writing. Team members must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally heavier items with assistance. The role may involve operating machinery, using hand tools, and maintaining precise hand-eye coordination. Good hearing and manual dexterity are essential for safely performing tasks and ensuring product quality. To effectively complete the tasks in this position, the vision requirements needed are the ability to adjust focus and identify and distinguish colors. The work environment for this role is in a manufacturing facility with machinery, tools, and materials, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Noise levels can be high, and tasks may involve lifting or moving parts. Minimal time will be spent in wet or humid conditions, and near caustic or toxic chemicals.

Machine Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

Compensation Range:

$120,000 - $130,000

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.