Machine Shop Supervisor

Smiths Group • Pasadena, TX

3d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager, the Machine Shop Supervisor directs, supervises, and coordinates hourly personnel in production, service, or maintenance operations in accordance with company policies, operating schedules, and controls. The role oversees one or more shifts across multiple plant areas and leads daily CNC turning and milling operations to execute production safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. The supervisor maximizes machine utilization, labor efficiency, and throughput while meeting on-time delivery commitments.

The position develops employee skills and workforce flexibility through training and cross-training, and drives continuous improvement to reduce scrap, improve quality, increase productivity, and achieve cost and performance objectives. It champions safety, discipline, and accountability, ensures compliance with procedures, policies, and regulatory requirements, and proactively addresses unsafe conditions and behaviors.

The supervisor serves as the primary escalation point for shop-floor issues, communicating operational risks, constraints, and resource needs. The role collaborates with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Procurement, Maintenance, Production Control, and Manufacturing Engineering to resolve problems, optimize schedules, implement engineering changes, improve processes, maintain inventory accuracy, and prevent production disruptions. It uses performance indicators for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost to guide operational decisions, supports hiring and performance evaluations, and contributes to workforce planning. The position supports John Crane standards and business objectives and the long-term success of the Pasadena Machine Shop.

The role is aligned to a specific shift, but shift assignments may change to meet business and production needs. The successful candidate is a visible, hands-on shop-floor leader who develops employees, prioritizes competing demands, leads projects, and fosters a safe, accountable, and continuously improving work environment.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of manufacturing experience in a production environment.
• At least 2 years of leadership, supervisory, lead, or team-development experience.
• At least 3 years of experience with metal machining operations, including CNC equipment, lathes, mills, tooling, and manual machine tools.
• Strong understanding of CNC machine operation, setup principles, tooling requirements, and machining best practices.
• Experience with machine controls, online and offline programming concepts, and manufacturing systems.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems; QAD is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Power BI.
• Ability to interpret production data and use system-driven insights to improve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with ownership and results-oriented leadership.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage employees at all organizational levels.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to regularly transition between office and manufacturing-floor environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, twist, and lift up to 35 pounds as part of daily responsibilities.
• Manual dexterity and coordination to operate computers, office equipment, and production-related systems.
• Flexibility to work different shift assignments as business needs and production demands change.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and lead multiple projects in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lead a diverse workforce and foster accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with MES and LES platforms.
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives, process optimization, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Knowledge of and experience promoting Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise, and coordinate hourly personnel in production, service, or maintenance operations in accordance with company policies, schedules, and controls.
• Lead daily CNC turning and milling operations and execute the production plan safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
• Maximize machine utilization, labor efficiency, and throughput while meeting on-time delivery commitments.
• Develop employee skills, cross-train personnel, and align workforce competencies with product and process requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce scrap, improve quality, increase productivity, and achieve cost and performance objectives.
• Promote a culture of safety, discipline, and accountability, ensuring compliance with safety procedures, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively identify and eliminate unsafe conditions and behaviors to protect employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Act as the primary escalation point for shop-floor issues and communicate operational risks, constraints, and resource needs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Procurement, Maintenance, and other support functions to resolve problems and maintain production flow.
• Partner with Production Control, Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering to optimize schedules, implement engineering changes, improve manufacturing processes, and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Anticipate operational challenges and implement preventive actions to minimize downtime, labor losses, and schedule disruptions.
• Use data and key performance indicators for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost to support operational decisions.
• Support the development of shop-floor employees and foster teamwork, engagement, and accountability.
• Assist with hiring interviews, performance evaluations, and workforce planning.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to improve efficiency, quality, process reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while supporting the Pasadena Machine Shop’s long-term success.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Employee resource groups, including Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity
• Smiths Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding activities, people, and projects

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED