CNC Operations Manager

Position Summary:  Responsible for establishing and leading a team of CNC engineering resources to position the organization as a certified, full service precision machining supplier to emerging tech leaders in automotive, aerospace, and other emerging technologies. The CNC Operations Manager will maintain project schedules, build and maintain customer and supplier relationships, and lead process improvement and division level engineering strategies. This includes advanced development, program launch with new product introductions, and the systematic build out of CNC capabilities. The CNC Operations Manager is accountable for new program pursuits, technology and process development, certification activities, and the development of engineering talent. The CNC Operations Manager will work closely with the plant operations team to transfer activity upon program industrialization.

 

Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:

• Develop and maintain a strategic vision for the CNC Engineering organization
  • Establish and maintain the technical roadmap for CNC machining capabilities, including capital equipment, tooling systems, strategies, automation, and process technologies.
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of engineering strategic plans with primary accountability for aerospace and automotive qualification, process development, and program launch.
  • Track and manage engineering capacity, technical resources, and project workloads.
  • Coordinate with plant operations leadership to ensure disciplined transition of industrialized programs into sustained production.
  • Lead new product introduction and advanced manufacturing initiatives, including prototype builds, first article inspections, process validation, and production readiness activities.
  • Manage CNC engineering and CNC manufacturing program activities related to Thixomolding processes, ensuring technical excellence, process capability, and successful execution.

 

• Develop and maintain systems to manage the daily functions of the Engineering Team.
  • Establish annual department budget in accordance with company policies and procedures.
  • Manage cost drivers (materials, labor, discretionary spending, etc.) to ensure optimal plant operations while maintaining budgetary discipline.
    Establish activities to ensure continuous improvement in Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
  • Coordinate process controls, manufacturing documentation, quality measuring and inspection activities, and dimensional verification to ensure conformance in serial production.
  • Apply knowledge and lead teams in GD&T, drawing interpretation, programming, and process decisions.
  • Manage and prioritize DMAIC projects.
  • Execute new program launches and improve the maturation process.
  • lead compliance on all applicable quality management requirements, including compliance with AS9100 Rev D
  • Manage capital and tooling procurement with purchasing.
  • Drive cost efficiency in department, capital and tooling expenses.
  • Maintain Minimum Process Requirement (MPR) documents and processing guidelines.
• Foster employee engagement and people development.
  • Recruit, develop, and lead a team of CNC programmers, tooling specialists, and process engineers.
  • Track and manage competency frameworks and training standards
  • Define organizational structure, reporting relationships, and staffing requirements as the engineering function grows.
  • Lead meetings with project teams; identify project objectives, deliverables and deadlines.
  • Conduct timely and complete performance evaluations of direct associates. Ensure timely and complete performance evaluation of associates reporting under your indirect supervision.
  • Assess employee skill sets, current and future development needs and take steps to mentor and develop individuals within the Team.
  • Foster a culture of data driven decision making.
  • Set department direction and hold individuals accountable to performance standards and strategic objectives.
  • Establish and execute formal development plans and support the development of both aerospace and non-aerospace manufacturing backgrounds.
• Execute and influence customer engagement
  • Lead customer interface on technical requirements, program reviews, capability assessments, and manufacturing readiness activities.
  • Ability to build strong relationships with high expectation customers.
  • Customer focused mindset while effectively balancing customer requirements with business objectives and operational capabilities.
  • Thrives in fast paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly and responsiveness is critical.
  • Participate in collaboration between Division Engineering Teams.
  • Ensure corporate strategies and standards are being executed in the plant.
  • Effectively communicate with customers, suppliers, direct reports and stakeholders.
  • Engage with industry partners, suppliers, and technical experts to access specialized knowledge and resources required to support development and launch activities.
  • Additional duties, not specifically outlined within this position description, as directed by the leader.

Qualifications

 

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 20 years of experience in CNC machining and manufacturing engineering preferably in the aerospace, automotive, or other emerging technology industries.
• Prior experience leading engineering teams and developing technical organizations.
• Experience working with Modig machines.
• Expert knowledge of CNC programming software and complex machining applications.
• Thorough understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and engineering drawings.
• Demonstrated experience with AS9100 Rev D quality systems, FAI, PPAP, and customer qualification processes.
• Experience with tooling design, workholding development, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Working knowledge of CMM programming and precision inspection systems.
• Advanced project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

 

 

Additional Information: 

• Travel is occasionally required, up to 10% of the time.