Operations Manager, Machining

Location: Upper Midwest
Search Type: Confidential
Industry: Automotive Supply Chain / High-Volume CNC Machining

Snyder Executive Search is conducting a confidential search for an Operations Manager, Machining with a growing manufacturer in the Upper Midwest.

This is a critical leadership opportunity with a company experiencing significant growth. The opening has been created due to strategic expansion and will focus on scaling a 24/7 high-volume CNC machining operation.

The company needs a hands-on operations leader who can drive production performance, strengthen daily execution, and help lead the planning and execution of a major expansion. This role is ideal for someone who knows how to connect strategy to the shop floor, lead through supervisors, and build a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

Position Overview

The Operations Manager, Machining will lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across a high-volume, multi-shift CNC machining environment. This individual will be responsible for improving performance across key operating metrics while helping the organization scale capacity, systems, and leadership capability.

This is not a desk-bound leadership role. The successful candidate will be visible on the floor, technically credible with machining teams, and capable of turning business priorities into consistent execution across all shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a 24/7 high-volume CNC machining operation with accountability for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People performance.
• Drive production output, throughput, uptime, labor efficiency, and overall operational performance.
• Support the planning and execution of a significant operational expansion.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear daily, weekly, and monthly execution plans.
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and multi-shift teams.
• Strengthen shop floor accountability, communication, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and operational discipline.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, HR, and senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with automotive quality and customer requirements, including IATF 16949, APQP, and PPAP.
• Identify bottlenecks, improve flow, reduce waste, and support scalable manufacturing systems.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience in a high-volume CNC machining environment, preferably within the automotive supply chain. This person should be comfortable leading through supervisors, managing performance across multiple shifts, and making practical, fast-moving decisions in a demanding production setting.

The right fit will be hands-on, metrics-driven, people-focused, and capable of earning credibility quickly with machinists, supervisors, engineers, and executive leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Direct management experience in a CNC machining production environment.
• Experience in a high-volume, shift-based manufacturing operation.
• Demonstrated accountability for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People metrics.
• Automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 supply chain experience.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP, and PPAP.
• Strong working knowledge of CNC turning, milling, and multi-axis machining centers.
• Ability to read GD&T drawings and interpret machining specifications.
• Experience leading multi-shift teams through supervisors.
• Demonstrated success developing people and improving team performance.
• CNC machining experience with grey iron and/or ductile iron castings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or equivalent. Significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is a chance to step into a high-impact role with a company that is not maintaining the status quo. They are growing, investing, expanding, and looking for a leader who can help scale the operation the right way.

For a proven CNC machining operations leader, this is the kind of opportunity where your fingerprints will be all over the next chapter of the business.