Machine Shop Manager (Experienced)

Complex Fabricators Inc; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Complex Fabricators Inc. in Salt Lake City, UT seeks an experienced Machine Shop Manager to lead all machining operations, drive safety, quality, and productivity, and champion continuous improvement.

You will guide machinists and programmers, manage scheduling, and implement automation opportunities in a lean environment. The role requires deep knowledge of vertical, horizontal, and 5-axis machining, GD&T expertise, ERP/MRP familiarity, and a proven ability to mentor teams while delivering

Qualifications

• Passion for improving productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction
• Knowledge of machining in Vertical, Horizontal, and 5-axis, and lathes with live tooling
• Strong CNC programming knowledge; mentor programmers
• Lean Manufacturing tools, methods, and practices (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, RCA, Visual Management)
• Self-motivated and able to operate independently
• Understand specifications, drawings, and GD&T
• Great people skills: coordinating with managers and customers
• Familiarity with shop floor equipment organization to maximize productivity
• Experience using ERP or MRP programs
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• OSHA safety knowledge
• Ability to lift 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds
• Good dexterity to work a keyboard
• Excellent eyesight, depth perception and peripheral vision
• US Persons or legally authorized to work on ITAR-controlled programs

Responsibilities

• Own and improve metrics: on-time delivery, machine utilization, labor efficiency, setup reduction, scrap, and first-pass yield
• Rigorously monitor tooling costs, overtime, consumables, labor utilization, and capital equipment justification
• Own daily production scheduling, maintain Standard Work, remove bottlenecks, balance machine loading
• Identify and implement automation opportunities including pallet systems, probing, tool management, robotic loading
• Ensure machining activities meet drawings and specifications; document inspection results
• Use Lean Manufacturing tools and practices in daily management
• Develop machinists through coaching, performance feedback, and continuous improvement to create a team of setup specialists, programmers, leads
• Conduct employee reviews & staffing forecasts—recruit machinists, interview candidates, build the team
• Champion a proactive safety culture; hazards identified, corrected, prevented
• Evaluating and recommending new equipment investments
• Understand and perform in accordance with AS9100 quality management system

Skills

5-axis machining

Vertical milling

Horizontal milling

Live tooling lathes

CNC programming

Lean manufacturing

GD&T

ERP/MRP

Team leadership

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Job Id:164-999

# of Openings:1

Complex Fabricators is an AS9100-certified precision manufacturer producing complex machined, fabricated, and welded assemblies for aerospace, defense, medical, scientific research, and industrial customers. Our reputation is built on technical excellence, dependable delivery, and continuous improvement. We are building one of the premier precision machine operations in the western United States. We are looking for an experienced Machine Shop Manager who wants to create an industry-leading machine shop rather than simply maintain an existing one.

To be successful in this position you must work as a team with Managers of the Fabrication and Welding departments. You will spend much of your time providing what your machining team needs to be successful each day. Additionally, you will focus on problem-solving and continuous improvement by methodically observing operational performance with the goal of improving execution, increasing output, and streamlining processes. You will also apply automation technologies as appropriate. Lean manufacturing experience is highly desired. Enthusiastic support and use of Lean principles is required.

You will participate in our on-going, company-wide learning program. You will mentor your team of machinists and programmers to promote their technical growth, pride in the workplace, and drive high-level performance. You will manage the operation of all machining areas to ensure safety, quality, productivity, cost and revenue targets and metrics are achieved.

• Own and improve key operational metrics including on-time delivery, machine utilization, labor efficiency, setup reduction, scrap, and first-pass yield
• Rigorously monitor tooling costs, overtime, consumables, labor utilization, and capital equipment justification
• Own daily production scheduling, maintain Standard Work, remove bottlenecks, balance machine loading, and prioritize changing customer requirements
• Identify and implement automation opportunities including pallet systems, probing, tool management, robotic loading, offline programming, and other technologies that improve throughput
• Ensure all machining activities are performed to drawing and specification requirements and inspection results are documented
• Use Lean Manufacturing tools, methods, and practices as part of your daily management process and interactions with your team
• Develop machinists through coaching, performance feedback, and continuous improvement to create a team of setup specialists, programmers, leads, and future supervisors
• Conduct employee reviews & staffing forecasts—recruit machinists, interview candidates, and build the team
• Champion a proactive safety culture in which hazards are identified, corrected, and prevented
• Evaluating and recommending new equipment investments
• Understand and perform in accordance with our AS9100 quality management system

In Your First Year You Will:

• Build strong relationships with your machinists, programmers, and fellow department managers
• Improve workflow and reduce bottlenecks across the machine shop
• Increase on-time delivery while maintaining exceptional quality
• Strengthen Lean practices throughout daily operations
• Develop the technical capabilities of your team through coaching and mentoring
• Recommend and implement equipment, tooling, and automation improvements that increase productivity

Skills and Qualifications Required:

• Passion for improving productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction
• Possess a strong knowledge of machining in Vertical, Horizontal, and 5-axis, and lathes with live tooling
• Strong CNC programming knowledge with the ability to mentor programmers and troubleshoot complex machining challenges
• Demonstrated experience with Lean Manufacturing tools, methods, and practices (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, Visual Management, etc.)
• Self-motivated and able to operate independently
• Understand specifications, drawings, and GD&T
• Great people skills: supporting coworkers, coordinating with company managers, and communicating with customers
• Familiarity with the organization of equipment on a shop floor to maximize productivity
• Experience using ERP or MRP programs
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Possess excellent time management and organizational skills
• Detailed knowledge of OSHA safety workplace requirements
• Ability to lift 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds on occasion
• Good dexterity to work a keyboard
• Excellent eyesight(corrected), including depth perception and peripheral vision
• Due to ITAR-controlled work, applicants must be U.S. Persons or otherwise legally authorized to work on controlled programs

Wage $90,000-$120,000 annually determined by experience. As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass a drug screen and background check.