Machine Shop Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As Machine Shop Manager, you are responsible for overseeing the execution and performance of all machine shop operations, ensuring alignment with production goals, quality standards, and business objectives. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with ownership of shop systems and processes, including machining support, Bill of Materials (BoM) management in M1, and quoting for machined parts.

You will support machinists, drive operational discipline, and improve consistency, accuracy, and predictability across shop output and supporting systems.

Everything related to building parts — machining, fabrication, CNC bending, and getting the machine shop ready to support builds — falls under the Machine Shop Manager, working in close coordination with the Production Manager, who owns assembly, integration, and final equipment delivery.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

• Machinists and machine shop personnel report directly to the Machine Shop Manager
• Responsible for managing daily priorities, workflow, and execution across machine shop operations
• Oversees machining operations as well as fabrication, laser, and CNC bending activities
• Works cross-functionally with Engineering, Sales, Purchasing, and Operations

PERFORMANCE TARGETS

Shop Execution Performance

• Consistent achievement of production schedules, quality standards, and on-time delivery
• Reduction in rework, downtime, and production bottlenecks
• Improved efficiency and predictability in shop operations

Systems & Quoting Performance

• Accurate, complete, and trusted BoMs in M1
• Timely and accurate quoting aligned with actual shop capabilities and costs
• Improved alignment between quoted and actual job performance

Operational & Cross-Functional Performance

• Strong coordination between shop, engineering, purchasing, and sales
• Improved visibility into shop workload, constraints, and priorities
• Increased consistency in execution and decision-making

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Machine Shop Execution & Oversight

• Oversee and manage all day-to-day machine shop operations, including fabrication, laser, and CNC bending activities
• Ensure jobs are completed on time, to specification, and within quality standards
• Establish production priorities and allocate resources to support execution goals
• Monitor workflow, identify bottlenecks, and take proactive corrective action
• Maintain equipment readiness and coordinate maintenance activities
• Enforce safety policies and operational procedures

Technical Leadership & Machining Support

• Direct and manage machinists and shop personnel, establishing daily priorities and workload assignments
• Provide technical leadership, troubleshooting, and guidance to ensure efficient execution of work
• Oversee CNC programming and optimization of machining processes
• Ensure complex or non-standard jobs are properly planned and executed
• Drive continuous improvement in machining methods, setups, tooling, and operational efficiency
• Maintain accountability for team performance, productivity, and execution standards

BoM Ownership & M1 System Management

• Build and maintain Bills of Materials (BoMs) for machined parts and components required to support quoting and manufacturing activities
• Create and maintain machine-related BoMs within M1 to support accurate costing and job execution
• Partner with Engineering to ensure alignment between machining requirements and released production data
• Audit machining-related BoMs regularly to ensure accuracy, completeness, and usability
• Support ongoing improvement and utilization of M1 data across shop operations

Quoting & Costing Ownership

• Oversee and process all quotes for machining and machined parts, in partnership with the Strategic Sourcing Manager
• Ensure accuracy of material, labor, and process assumptions
• Align quotes with actual shop capabilities and constraints
• Partner with engineering and sales to support quoting decisions
• Identify cost risks and opportunities for improved margin performance

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Drive alignment between shop operations, engineering, purchasing, and sales
• Clarify requirements, timelines, and priorities for machined parts
• Resolve issues that impact production or delivery
• Ensure smooth handoffs between quoting, planning, and execution

Continuous Improvement & Operational Discipline

• Identify inefficiencies in shop processes, systems, and workflows
• Implement improvements to increase throughput, reduce costs, and improve quality
• Strengthen consistency in execution, planning, and data management
• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Experience

• Proven experience in a machine shop environment with leadership responsibility
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, programming, and manufacturing processes
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably M1
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications

Leadership & Character

• Strong ownership mindset and accountability for outcomes
• Hands-on, solution-oriented approach to problem solving
• Ability to support and guide machinists effectively
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, production-driven environment

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong technical and troubleshooting skills in machining and programming
• Solid understanding of production workflows and cost drivers
• Effective communication across shop and office functions
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to balance hands-on work with coordination and system ownership

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE — FIRST 12 MONTHS

• Machine shop operates smoothly with consistent on-time delivery and reduced rework
• BoMs in M1 are accurate, complete, and trusted across departments
• Quoting is timely, accurate, and aligned with actual shop performance
• Improved coordination between shop, engineering, and sales
• Increased efficiency, reduced bottlenecks, and better overall predictability
• Recognized as a technical leader who supports the team and drives execution