Director / Manager of Machine Shop Operations

Description

Position Summary

The Director / Manager of Machine Shop Operations oversees all machining activities related to the production of spun cast rolls, ensuring operational excellence, precision machining quality, on-time delivery, and continuous improvement. This leader is responsible for managing people, processes, equipment, production planning, safety, quality systems, and cross-functional collaboration. The role requires deep knowledge of heavy machining, roll manufacturing, metallurgical properties of spun cast materials, and high-volume/low-volume mixed production environments.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily operations for the machine shop, including turning, boring, grinding, CNC machining, and finishing of spun cast rolls.
• Develop and implement production plans, capacity strategies, and workflow optimization to ensure on-time delivery and efficient resource use.
• Ensure adherence to machining tolerances, surface finish requirements, and dimensional accuracy specific to spun cast roll applications (e.g., steel mills, paper mills, plastics, and processing industries).

Team Management

• Directly manage supervisors, machinists, programmers, maintenance personnel, and support staff.
• Drive a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee training programs related to machining best practices, CNC operations, safety, and equipment certifications.

Quality & Process Improvement

• Partner with Quality and Engineering to ensure all rolls meet metallurgical, dimensional, and surface integrity standards.
• Implement lean manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve cycle times.
• Maintain and improve quality control processes, including inspection procedures, measurement systems, and documentation.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce safety standards across all machining operations, ensuring compliance with OSHA and company policies.
• Conduct hazard assessments, root cause analyses, and corrective actions to support a zero-incident culture.

Equipment, Tooling & Maintenance

• Oversee the maintenance and capital planning of large lathes, CNC mills, grinders, boring mills, and related machining equipment.
• Ensure proper tooling selection, inventory management, calibration, and procurement.
• Identify and justify capital investments for improved efficiency or expanded capabilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Metallurgy, and Foundry/Production departments to optimize casting-to-machining workflows.
• Provide technical guidance on process feasibility, machining allowances, and roll design considerations.
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Service to support quoting, lead time planning, and customer expectations.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop long-term operational strategies aligned with business goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve throughput, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, cost reduction initiatives, and KPI development.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

If you meet the requirements above and are interested in joining our team, please apply with your updated resume. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of machining experience in heavy industrial manufacturing.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing machine shop operations.
• Strong understanding of spun cast roll manufacturing, metallurgy, and machining-related material behaviors.
• Proven experience with CNC machining, manual machining, grinding, and large turning operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and implement lean/continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in steel, paper, or industrial roll manufacturing environments.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt).
• Experience implementing ERP/MRP systems within a machining environment.
• Strong knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Background working with heavy equipment (20–100 ton capacity) and overhead crane operations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic planning & leadership
• Technical machining knowledge
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Data-driven decision making
• Strong communication and team-building skills
• Safety-first approach
• Financial and operational acumen