Machining Manager

The Machining Manager is responsible for leading all machining operations at Madison-Kipp Corporation, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of quality products that meet customer requirements. This role provides strategic and daily leadership for production, quality, safety, employee development, equipment performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Machining Manager drives operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing principles while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Lead machining operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Manage daily production activities to ensure customer schedules and on-time delivery requirements are met.
• Develop, monitor, and improve departmental KPIs.
• Partner with Production Control and Scheduling to establish production priorities.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities to resolve operational issues.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kaizen events, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, ISO/IATF standards, safety regulations, and environmental policies.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor utilization, and operating expenses.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on efficiency, throughput, quality, and cycle-time reduction.
• Support new product launches and machining process development.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels through recruiting, onboarding, retention, and workforce planning.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and production employees.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development planning.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. Responsibilities may be modified as business needs require.

This position operates in a heavy manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, powered industrial vehicles, chemicals, noise, and other manufacturing-related hazards. Safety risks are controlled through established engineering controls, safety programs, and required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hearing protection, safety glasses, safety-toe footwear, and hand protection.

• Regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, talk, and hear.
• Frequently use hands to operate tools, equipment, and controls.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Routinely travel throughout the manufacturing facility.

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years managing machining operations in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with aluminum die casting and precision machining strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of CNC machining operations, tooling, process optimization, and machining fundamentals.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Understanding of quality systems, statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement practices.
• Ability to analyze production data and make sound operational decisions.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.