2nd Shift Machine Shop Lead

Nolte Precise Manufacturing, Inc.
2nd Shift Machine Shop Lead
Cincinnati, OH
$28/hr to $36/hr + $2 shift differential

Position Summary: The Department/Area Lead is a working supervisor responsible for leading a team of 5–8 CNC operators in our contract manufacturing machine shop. This role balances hands‑on machining (CNC turning, milling, Swiss and light assembly) with supervisory duties to ensure production goals are met safely, on time, and to quality standards.

The Area Lead plans and coordinates daily production activities, monitors key performance indicators (e.g. machine utilization, cycle times, scrap rates), and drives continuous improvement initiatives using data‑driven decision‑making. Acting as the primary technical escalation point on the shop floor, the Lead troubleshoots complex issues, reviews CNC programs and first‑article results, and works closely with Engineering and Quality on new product introductions or process changes.

The Department Lead also mentors and develops team members, directly participates in hiring and onboarding, and fosters a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence aligned with Nolte’s standards and industry’s best practices.

Time Allocation: Approximately 70% hands‑on production support, 30% supervisory/administrative tasks (adjusted as needed based on operational demands).

• Production Planning & Coordination:
  Plan, assign, and coordinate work across the department to meet production schedules and priority deadlines. Optimize machine schedules and labor allocation to maximize throughput and minimize downtime. Monitor that all necessary job materials, tooling, and documentation are prepared and available to support uninterrupted production.
• Technical Leadership & Problem Solving:
  Serve as the technical escalation point for complex machining or program issues on CNC lathes and mills. Assist operators in troubleshooting problems, making real‑time adjustments to setups or feeds/speeds to maintain quality and efficiency. Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering on any needed program edits or tooling changes.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance:
  Ensure that all team members follow ISO
  9001/AS9100 quality procedures and that in‑process and final inspections are performed as required. Maintain high‑quality standards by conducting spot checks on parts and reviewing production documentation for accuracy. Partner with the Quality department to address any non‑conformances: assist in root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Safety Leadership:
  Enforce strict adherence to safety policies and OSHA regulations at all times. Ensure team members wear required PPE and operate equipment safely. Conduct regular safety talks and 5S audits of the area to maintain a clean, organized, and hazard‑free work environment. Lead or participate in any incident investigations, and champion a “zero accident” culture where safe behavior and housekeeping are paramount.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Initiatives:
  Proactively identify opportunities to improve production processes, reduce waste, and decrease setup or cycle times. Lead and participate in continuous improvement projects (e.g. Kaizen events, 5S improvements, set up reduction initiatives) to drive efficiency and cost savings. Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), setup sheets, and best practice documents to standardize operations and share learnings across shifts.
• Performance Monitoring & KPI Management:
  Continuously monitor production performance metrics – such as machine utilization, throughput rate, parts output, scrap and rework rates, and labor efficiency. Analyze these key performance indicators (KPIs) daily/weekly to identify trends or issues. Implement corrective actions promptly when targets are not being met (for example, rebalancing workloads, adjusting machine programs or retraining operators). Provide regular reports on area performance and status updates to management, along with data‑driven recommendations for improvement.
• Workflow and Issue Resolution:
  Anticipate and remove roadblocks that could hinder production (e.g. material shortages,…