Machine Shop Manager: 5-Axis CNC Leadership & Growth

WillowWood; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Training & development

Growth opportunities

Overtime opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

WillowWood is seeking an experienced Machine Shop Manager to lead a high‑performance CNC production operation. The role combines hands-on leadership with deep CNC programming knowledge, including SolidCAM and SolidWorks, and strong focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

You will manage scheduling, tooling, and staffing, drive productivity, and partner with engineering and quality to resolve issues and advance processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience in a production, job shop, or manufacturing environment.
• Deep understanding of GD&T for print interpretation and precision measuring tools to ensure parts meet required specifications.
• Proven track record of operating within strict quality management systems (QMS), SOPs and WIs.
• Demonstrated experience in machine shop leadership or management.
• Strong knowledge of CNC mills, lathes, and Swiss/screw machines.
• Significant experience with 5-axis machining.
• Strong understanding of G-code, toolpaths, tooling, feeds, speeds, workholding, and machining processes.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software such as SolidCAM and SolidWorks, or comparable platforms.
• Experience with production scheduling, workflow coordination, and resource planning.
• Proven ability to lead, train, mentor, and develop manufacturing employees.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with precision measurement and inspection techniques.
• High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the machine shop, including scheduling, personnel, equipment, production priorities, and workflow to achieve a high level of equipment utilization.
• Establish and maintain standardized process routing for efficiency, scheduling, and quality.
• Incorporate redundancy into operations through training, mentorship, and the development of CNC programmers, setup personnel, and operators.
• Set and monitor employee performance and provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Work with company leadership to establish departmental goals and performance expectations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training machine shop personnel.
• Follow and enforce company policy for safety, conformance deviation and change control.
• Coordinate production schedules based on demand requirements and available resources.
• Monitor production progress and adjust priorities as needed to meet demand commitments.
• Coordinate scheduling of people, raw material, tooling, fixtures, programming and other resources required to maintain equipment uptime.
• Identify production bottlenecks and work with engineering and quality to implement solutions to improve throughput.
• Work closely with engineering and quality to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
• Monitor machine utilization, labor efficiency, scrap, rework, and production performance.
• Work with leadership to coordinate and prioritize the support of prototype and development activities.
• Provide technical oversight and optimization of CNC programs and G-code to improve quality, cycle times, and machine efficiency.
• Support programming of CNC mills, lathes, and Swiss/screw machines using SolidCAM, SolidWorks, or comparable CAD/CAM platforms.
• Provide guidance on tooling, feeds, speeds, work holding, toolpaths, and machining strategies.
• Oversee development and implementation of fixtures, tooling, and machining processes.
• Analyze production data and develop corrective actions as needed to meet performance goals.
• Promote proper 5S practices and maintain an organized, efficient, and professional work environment.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and machine utilization.
• Identify new tooling, equipment, automation, and machining technologies.
• Ensure all machining operations meet established quality standards, specifications, and tolerances.
• Ensure setup sheets, routings, work instructions, and other manufacturing documentation are accurate and maintained.
• Ensure all tools used for quality assurance are maintained under a defined calibration schedule.
• Work closely with engineering and quality to address any nonconformance parts and corrective actions.
• Ensure machinists and operators properly inspect their work and maintain appropriate inspection and process documentation.
• Ensure employees are properly trained in the use of micrometers, calipers, gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Maintain a safe working environment and enforce all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure employees are properly trained in machine operation, PPE, lockout/tagout, and other applicable safety procedures.
• Support preventive maintenance programs and ensure machine issues are addressed promptly.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to minimize equipment downtime.
• Monitor machine condition and recommend repairs, replacements, or upgrades when appropriate.
• Maintain proper housekeeping and 5S standards throughout the department.
• Coordinate purchasing and availability of cutting tools, workholding, raw materials, and other production supplies.
• Monitor tooling consumption and identify opportunities to reduce costs.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production requirements.
• Work with suppliers and purchasing personnel on tooling and material requirements.
• Evaluate new tooling and manufacturing products to improve performance and reduce operating costs.

Skills

CNC machining

Leadership

G-code

5-axis machining

SolidCAM

SolidWorks

CAD/CAM

Production scheduling

Training & mentoring

Quality systems (QMS/SOPs/WIs)

GD&T

Troubleshooting

High school diploma

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SolidCAM

SolidWorks

GD&T measurement tools

Job description

WillowWood is seeking an experienced Machine Shop Manager to lead a high‑performance CNC production operation. The role combines hands-on leadership with deep CNC programming knowledge, including SolidCAM and SolidWorks, and strong focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

You will manage scheduling, tooling, and staffing, drive productivity, and partner with engineering and quality to resolve issues and advance processes.