Division Manager- Machine Shop

Division Manager
- Machine Shop

The Division Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations and long-term success of the Machine Shop by developing people, strengthening processes, and fostering a culture built on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role provides leadership for Programming, CNC Machinists, Production Associates, and Production Supervisors, ensuring the team has the resources, direction, and support needed to consistently deliver high-quality work and meet customer expectations.

This position requires an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong background managing a CNC machine shop operating milling machines, lathes, and other precision machining equipment. Equally important is proven experience in a contract manufacturing environment, where balancing customer priorities, changing production demands, and delivering consistent results are part of everyday operations. These experiences are essential for success in this role.

The Division Manager establishes priorities, develops future leaders, and ensures the Machine Shop has the people, processes, equipment, and capabilities needed to safely deliver high-quality products, support our customers, and position the business for continued growth. Success in this role comes from building a strong team, creating an environment of trust and accountability, and helping others succeed while removing barriers that prevent the organization from doing its best work.

Working closely with Engineering Teams, Quality, Production Planning and Operations Leadership, this position collaborates to support new product introductions, improve manufacturing readiness, resolve production challenges, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. The Division Manager is responsible for ensuring manufacturing operations are prepared to execute efficiently and consistently. The Division Manager also leads capital equipment planning and execution for the Machine Shop, partnering with leadership to identify investments that improve safety, capability, capacity, and long-term operational performance.

Above all, this leader leads with humility, integrity, and a genuine commitment to developing people, fostering collaboration, and living our values.

Leadership

• Lead and develop Production Supervisors, CNC Programmers, CNC Machinists, and Production Associates.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Coach, mentor, and develop future leaders while promoting employee engagement and accountability.

Operations

• Provide overall leadership for Machine Shop operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and equipment utilization.
• Balance production priorities, staffing, and resources to meet customer commitments.

Contract Manufacturing

• Lead operations within a fast-paced contract manufacturing environment supporting multiple customers and product lines.
• Partner with Engineering and Program Management to support new product introductions and successful production launches.
• Ensure operational readiness while adapting to changing customer requirements.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Production Planning, Procurement and other departments to resolve challenges and improve manufacturing performance.
• Lead capital equipment planning, justification, implementation, and technology investments that support long-term business needs.

• 10+ years of manufacturing experience (Machine Shop Preferred)
• Hands-on experience with CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, and precision machining operations.
• Proven leadership experience in a contract manufacturing environment (required).
• Experience leading supervisors, programmers, machinists, and production teams.
• Experience leading capital equipment (CAPEX) projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The Whelen Engineering Company is an American corporation that designs and manufactures audio and visual warning equipment for automotive, aviation, and mass notification industries worldwide.

Stage 1:
Application

Stage 2:
Manager Review

Stage 3:
Phone Interview

Stage 4:
Interview with Hiring Manager

Stage 5:
Interview with Team

Stage 6:
Offer

Stage 7:
Hired