Job Description
CNC Lead Parts (1st Shift) 2007 Oakland Parkway, Columbia, TN 38401
Full-time Full-time Description:
The CNC Lead Parts role is responsible for leading the machining team in producing high-quality machine parts through programming, setup, and operation of CNC equipment while driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across the department. This position serves as a working leader responsible for supporting team performance, developing operators, coordinating workflow priorities, and ensuring machining operations are executed efficiently and accurately. Requirements:
Specific Responsibilities Include:
Lead and support CNC machinists and operators in daily production activities, ensuring quality, efficiency, accountability, and adherence to company standards. Coordinate workflow and prioritize jobs to meet production schedules, customer demands, and organizational goals. Provide hands-on leadership, technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and training to team members to improve overall machining capability and efficiency. Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability throughout the department. Assist in evaluating employee performance, identifying skill gaps, and supporting employee development and cross-training initiatives. Lead machining plans by studying work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, materials, specifications, orthographic drawings, reference planes, locations of surfaces, and machining parameters; interpreting geometric dimensions and tolerances (GD&T). Lead stock inventory planning by checking stock levels, anticipating material needs, expediting orders, and verifying receipt of stock. Lead programming of mills and lathes by entering instructions, including zero and reference points; setting tool registers, offsets, compensation, and conditional switches; calculating requirements using math, geometry, and trigonometry; and proving part programs. Set up mills and lathes by installing and adjusting chucks, tools, attachments, collets, bushings, cams, gears, stops, and stock pushers; indicating vises; and tramming heads. Verify machine settings and part accuracy by measuring positions, first-run parts, and sample workpieces while adhering to international standards. Maintain specifications by observing drilling, grooving, and cutting operations including turning, facing, knurling, and thread chasing; taking measurements; troubleshooting processes; adjusting and reprogramming controls; sharpening and replacing worn tools; and adhering to quality assurance procedures. Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing setup times, improving throughput, minimizing scrap, and enhancing overall machining efficiency. Maintain safe operations by enforcing safety procedures, policies, and regulations. Maintain equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, troubleshooting malfunctions, and coordinating repairs as needed. Maintain continuity among work shifts by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, production concerns, and ongoing needs. Document actions by completing production and quality logs accurately and consistently. Support collaboration between machining, engineering, quality, and production teams to improve communication and operational effectiveness. Update job knowledge through educational opportunities, technical publications, and ongoing training. Accomplish organizational goals by accepting ownership for new and different requests while identifying opportunities to improve processes and add value to operations. Requirements Experience and Background:
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and hold team members accountable in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Proven ability to lead by example with a hands-on approach to problem solving and production support. Must have a proficient understanding of G-code and M-code programming. Experience setting up, programming, and troubleshooting CNC machines. Strong mathematical, mechanical, and technical aptitude. Must have GED or High School Diploma. Computer skills required:
Excel, Word, Microsoft Outlook, and company manufacturing/order systems (Traverse). Strong communication and organizational skills. Flexible and responsive, with a strong teamwork orientation. Desire to learn new skills and continuously improve technical knowledge and leadership capability. Commitment to quality, accuracy, safety, and continuous improvement. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and build positive working relationships across departments. Possess the ability to drive results, manage priorities, solve problems proactively, and maintain accountability for department performance.
