CNC Shift Lead

Job Title:

Machine Shop Shift Supervisor

Location:

Bristol

Pay Range: £55,000 - £59,000 (plus shift premium)

Contract Type:
Permanent

Shift: 3 shifts rotating

A leading precision manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Machine Shop Shift Supervisor to join its production leadership team. This role is responsible for ensuring the machine shop operates safely, efficiently, and effectively while meeting customer requirements and business objectives. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading shift operations, developing team capability, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and performance within a CNC machining environment.

• Health, Safety & Environment: ensure the team adheres to all company policies, procedures, and safety standards; maintain strong presence on the shop floor; deliver toolbox talks and communicate safety work instructions; conduct risk assessments and report accidents and near misses; liaise with Facilities to support environmental and compliance activities.
• Leadership & People Management: lead the shift team to achieve daily production targets; conduct start‑of‑shift meetings; manage and support Team Leaders; identify training requirements; conduct performance reviews and annual grading; maintain skills matrices; support recruitment activities; manage timesheets, holidays, return‑to‑work interviews; promote a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing team culture.
• Production & Delivery: oversee daily machine shop operations to ensure production schedules are achieved; troubleshoot production issues and coordinate rework; deliver weekly objectives set by the Manufacturing Manager; lead daily Gemba walks; support machine allocation and production prioritisation; raise purchase requisitions; manage Kanban stock levels; support maintenance activities; track and support Continuous Improvement activities; coordinate TPM activities; drive initiatives to reduce downtime and improve OEE.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement: lead Root Cause Analysis investigations following quality issues; work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, and Production teams; maintain and improve SOPs; report findings; support quality‑focused continuous improvement initiatives; encourage team participation to eliminate waste.
• General Responsibilities:
  
  maintain high standards of housekeeping and workplace organisation; support internal and external audits; undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by management.

• Previous experience in a CNC machine shop or precision manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable ability to set and operate a range of CNC machine tools within defined processes.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to organise, coach, mentor, and motivate teams.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Computer literate with strong administrative capabilities.
• Highly organised and methodical approach to problem solving.
• Positive, proactive, and approachable leadership style.
• Open‑minded, adaptable, and driven to support business improvement and change initiatives.
• Target‑focused with a commitment to achieving operational excellence.

• Pension – 5% matched contribution (up to 8% matched).
• Life Cover x4 salary.
• 25 days holiday, with an additional day at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years – maximum 30 days.
• Level 3 Self‑health cover for self and any employees’ children.
• Company bonus scheme – non contractual and dependent on company performance.
• Enhanced paternity and maternity leave (after qualifying period).
• Retail discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.