Machine Shop Manager

WillowWood•Mesa, AZ

About The Position

WillowWood Global is seeking an experienced CNC manufacturing leader to manage its high-performance machining operation. This hands-on leadership role combines technical CNC expertise with people management and business-minded decision-making. The manager oversees daily shop operations, employees, equipment, production priorities, scheduling, quality, safety, materials, and workflow to support equipment utilization and meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery objectives. The role includes providing technical oversight of CNC programming and machining processes; coordinating resources and production schedules; developing employees and ensuring training redundancy; maintaining quality systems, documentation, calibration, and inspection practices; supporting preventive maintenance; and driving productivity, safety, and continuous improvement. The Machine Shop Manager works with company leadership, engineering, quality, purchasing, maintenance, suppliers, and shop employees to resolve issues and improve outcomes.

Requirements

At least 5 years of CNC machining experience in a production, job shop, or manufacturing environment.
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.
Deep understanding of GD&T for print interpretation and precision measurement tools to ensure parts meet specifications.
Proven track record working within strict quality management systems (QMS) and consistently following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs).
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Experience with precision measurement and inspection techniques.
High school diploma or GED.

Nice To Haves

Experience with HAAS CNC equipment.
Experience with HAAS UMC 5-axis machining centers.
Experience with CNC lathes with live tooling.
Experience with Swiss/screw machines.
Experience with robotic machine tending or robotic programming.
Experience designing and implementing custom fixtures.
Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous-improvement methodologies.
Experience working with quality systems and corrective-action processes.
Experience managing multiple shifts or a growing machine shop operation.

Responsibilities

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