Machine Shop Foreman
Position Type: Full-time, In-person
Location: Elmwood Park, IL
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Machine Shop Foreman to lead our machining operations. This is a working leadership role: the ideal candidate brings direct, hands-on experience machining large, complex parts using manual and CNC equipment — not just shop management experience. You'll thrive here if you excel at mentoring skilled tradespeople, solving technical challenges on the floor, and delivering high-quality work on time in a precision machining environment.
The Foreman oversees all daily shop operations, ensuring production runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently. You'll manage scheduling, monitor job progress, provide hands-on technical support for setups and troubleshooting on large-part jobs, train machinists, and serve as the primary leader on the shop floor. This role is critical to meeting customer expectations and supporting cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
Planning & Scheduling
- Develop optimal manufacturing methods, including machine selection, workholding, setups, and work routing — with particular attention to the demands of large and complex parts
- Plan and prioritize jobs to meet deadlines while maximizing shop capacity and efficiency
- Coordinate activities of machinists, CNC operators, and shop personnel
- Interpret blueprints, technical drawings, CAD models, and tolerance requirements
- Collaborate with procurement and outside processing coordinators to ensure material readiness
Production & Quality Management
- Oversee the machining of large, heavy, and tight-tolerance parts, providing hands-on support with manual lathes, manual mills, boring mills, and CNC equipment as needed
- Ensure all machining processes meet tight tolerances and quality specifications
- Troubleshoot tooling, equipment, and production issues in real time, including workholding and setup challenges specific to oversized components
- Verify proper machine setup, operation, and maintenance standards
- Coordinate with other shop division leads as needed
- Monitor work-in-progress to maintain quality and schedule adherence
Leadership & Team Development
- Train, coach, and evaluate machinists and shop personnel
- Provide constructive feedback and conduct annual performance reviews
- Address attendance, safety, and performance issues promptly and professionally
- Build and maintain a high-performing shop culture
Safety & Compliance
- Enforce all safety policies and OSHA requirements
- Conduct toolbox talks and post-incident reviews
- Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free work areas, with attention to safe handling of large and heavy parts
- Model safe practices and hold the team accountable
Communication & Continuous Improvement
- Provide timely updates to project managers, engineers, and office staff
- Communicate delays, challenges, or material issues promptly
- Recommend efficiency improvements, new tooling, and process innovations
- Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to optimize workflows
What You Bring
- Proven leadership experience in a machine shop or precision manufacturing environment
- Required hands-on machining experience with manual lathes, manual mills, boring mills, and CNC equipment
- Demonstrated experience machining large, heavy, and/or tight-tolerance components
- High mechanical aptitude and demonstrated machining expertise
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
- Sharp attention to detail and quality standards
- Confidence making sound decisions under pressure
- Clear, professional communication skills across all organizational levels
- Ability to interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and CAD models
What Success Looks Like
- Large and complex jobs are completed on time, per specification, and without quality issues
- Project managers and engineers receive clear, timely communication
- Machinists feel supported, well-trained, and held to high performance standards
- A safe, efficient, well-organized shop environment
- Measurable continuous improvements to processes, efficiency, and workflow
Benefits
- Health Insurance: PPO plan with employer covering 50% of employee premiums; dependent coverage available at shared cost
- Dental Insurance: Optional coverage available; employee-paid
- Vision Insurance: Vision plan available
- Two weeks of paid vacation annually
- Annual holiday bonus based on company performance
- Employer-funded profit-sharing plan with 100% company contribution
- 401(k) plan available after one year of employment
- Tuition reimbursement for job-related education and professional development
- Employee discounts through payroll provider