Machine Shop Supervisor

Job Description

Machine Shop Supervisor – 2nd Shift (Confidential OEM)

Location: Itasca, IL (West Suburbs)

Shift: 2nd Shift | 4:00 PM – 12:30 AM + Overtime

Pay: $32–$40/hr + $3/hr shift differential (flexible for strong candidates)

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire (6 months)

About the Opportunity

This is a confidential leadership opportunity with a well-established OEM manufacturer experiencing rapid growth due to a strong backlog of custom industrial equipment projects, including work tied to data center infrastructure.

The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint and launching a new second shift to increase capacity. This role will play a critical part in building, stabilizing, and leading second-shift machine shop operations.

The Role

The Machine Shop Supervisor will oversee a second-shift team of approximately 10–15 employees, including:

• CNC Machinists
• Manual Machinists
• Saw Operators

This is a hands-on, floor-focused leadership role requiring strong technical knowledge, the ability to support machinists with troubleshooting, and a proven track record of supervising teams in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise second-shift machine shop operations to meet production, quality, and safety goals
• Assign daily work, manage staffing, and prioritize jobs in a fast-changing environment
• Support CNC machining operations, including:
• Reviewing setups and offsets
• Troubleshooting machining issues
• Editing and optimizing G-code and Mazatrol programs
• Assist with CNC mill and lathe operations (Mazak experience strongly )
• Review and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Ensure parts meet tolerance, finish, and quality requirements
• Drive process improvements, efficiency gains, and shop optimization
• Enforce safety standards, housekeeping, and preventative maintenance practices
• Coordinate onboarding and training of machinists during first-shift ramp-up
• Communicate effectively with engineering, quality, and plant leadership
• Help build and stabilize a newly created second shift

Required Background

• 5–10 years of CNC machining experience in manufacturing or job shop environments
• 2–3+ years of supervisory or lead experience (formal or informal)
• Strong hands-on background with CNC mills and lathes
• Ability to edit and troubleshoot G-code (programming from scratch is a plus)
• Experience supporting machinists in setup, tooling, and process optimization
• Comfortable working second shift with flexibility for overtime

Experience

• Mazak CNC mills and lathes
• Mazatrol programming
• High-mix, low-volume OEM or custom machinery environments
• Experience launching or stabilizing a new shift
• Exposure to preventative maintenance planning and machine utilization tracking

Ideal Leadership Profile

• Hands-on, visible leader who stays on the floor
• Strong accountability and team-building skills
• Comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Clear communicator who works well cross-functionally
• Adaptable, reliable, and comfortable in a contract-to-hire role

Why This Role Stands Out

• Critical leadership role with direct impact on production success
• Strong backlog and long-term stability
• Significant overtime available (up to ~20 hrs/week)
• Opportunity to help build and shape a growing operation
• Fast hiring process with quick feedback

Additional Details

• Overtime: Up to ~20 hours/week
• Shift Differential: $3/hr
• Start Date: ASAP
• Requirements: Drug test and background check required
• Education: High School Diploma or GED (Technical degree a plus)