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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Manufacturing Coordinator

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingCNCProductionOperationsEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Manufacturing Coordinator is responsible for coordinating day-to-day CNC production activities, ensuring on-time delivery, maintaining product quality, and driving continuous improvement across machining operations. This role bridges engineering, shop floor personnel, quality, and supply chain teams to translate production schedules and customer requirements into executable CNC work plans. Key focus areas include CNC program release, tooling & fixture management, capacity planning, first article inspection support, and root-cause problem solving for machining issues.

Primary keywords: CNC Manufacturing Coordinator, CNC production coordinator, CNC scheduler, CNC machining coordinator, CNC program control, CAD/CAM, G-code, CNC setup, MRP/ERP coordination, production quality, lean manufacturing.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • CNC Operator / Setup Technician with 1–3 years of experience
  • Production Planner or Junior Manufacturing Technician
  • Manufacturing Engineer (entry-level / co-op) with hands-on machining exposure

Advancement To:

  • Senior CNC Manufacturing Coordinator / Lead Coordinator
  • Production Supervisor / CNC Shop Supervisor
  • Manufacturing Engineer or Process Engineer (CNC specialization)
  • Operations Manager / Plant Manager (with broader ops experience)

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Engineer (metrology and inspection focus)
  • Tooling / Fixture Design Engineer
  • Supply Chain / Material Planner (MRP/ERP specialist)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate daily CNC production schedules by prioritizing work orders, matching resources to demand, and adjusting plans for machine capacity, tooling availability, and workforce constraints to meet on-time delivery targets.
  • Review engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOM), and routing instructions to ensure CNC programs and setup sheets reflect current revision levels, GD&T requirements, and customer specifications.
  • Release and maintain CNC programs (G-code) and associated CAM files from CAD/CAM systems (e.g., Mastercam, Fusion 360, Siemens NX), ensuring version control and traceability in the ERP/MRP system.
  • Prepare and validate setup sheets, tooling lists, fixturing instructions, and inspection criteria for each job, and distribute clear work instructions to setup personnel and operators.
  • Facilitate first-article inspections (FAI) and production part approval process (PPAP) activities by coordinating inspection plans, measurement resources, and corrective actions when nonconformances are found.
  • Monitor shop floor performance metrics (OEE, cycle time, scrap rate, throughput) and generate weekly production reports for management, highlighting trends and recommended countermeasures.
  • Troubleshoot production issues by performing root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone), coordinating corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and implementing process changes with engineering and quality teams.
  • Manage tooling and consumable inventories (cutting tools, inserts, coolants, gauges), coordinate tool reordering, and optimize tooling life through standards and tooling libraries.
  • Work closely with Purchasing to qualify vendor-supplied machined components, outsourced machining, and subcontracts, including RMA coordination and supplier corrective action.
  • Ensure CNC machines and fixtures are properly maintained by coordinating preventive maintenance schedules with maintenance teams and tracking downtime events for continuous improvement.
  • Train and mentor CNC setup technicians and operators on program interpretation, safe machine operation, troubleshooting, and best setup practices to reduce setup time and improve first-pass yield.
  • Validate process capability (Cp, Cpk) for critical features and collaborate with quality to update inspection sampling plans and SPC rules in-process.
  • Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives such as SMED, 5S, Kaizen events, and standardized work to reduce cycle times and increase throughput.
  • Manage engineering change requests (ECRs) and engineering change orders (ECOs) relating to machined parts, ensuring changes are reflected in CNC programs, fixtures, and routing.
  • Coordinate material flow and kitting for high-mix, low-volume production environments, including staging parts, subassemblies, and JIT deliveries to the shop floor.
  • Interface with customers and internal stakeholders to review and clarify technical requirements, lead times, and tolerance expectations; coordinate sample approvals and revisions.
  • Maintain manufacturing documentation (work instructions, setup sheets, inspection checklists) and ensure documentation is accessible, current, and compliant with ISO/AS standards and company quality systems.
  • Enforce safety protocols and regulatory compliance on the shop floor (lockout/tagout, machine guarding, PPE), and participate in safety audits and incident investigations.
  • Support cost reduction efforts by analyzing scrap drivers, optimizing cutting parameters, reducing rework, and recommending alternative manufacturing methods or toolsets.
  • Coordinate new product introductions (NPI) for machined components—participate in design reviews, perform process capability assessments, develop routings and cycle time estimates, and lead pilot runs.
  • Use MRP/ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite) to track work orders, update job status, adjust lead times, and maintain accurate production schedules.
  • Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams (engineering, quality, purchasing, sales) to resolve production bottlenecks and meet customer commitments.
  • Monitor and implement machining best practices for materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and engineering plastics to ensure process stability and finished part conformance.
  • Maintain accurate records of machine calibration, gauge R&R studies, and training logs to support audits and continuous process verification.

Secondary Functions

  • Support continuous improvement programs by documenting opportunities uncovered during production support and assisting with pilot implementation of process changes.
  • Participate in capacity planning and long-range production forecasting to inform staffing, capital equipment investment, and tooling purchases.
  • Assist with vendor qualification and performance reviews for outsourced machining and tool suppliers.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of manufacturing KPIs, dashboards, and production analytics to drive data-informed decisions.
  • Provide ad-hoc technical support for engineering design teams to suggest manufacturability improvements (DFM/DFM for CNC) and cost-saving alternatives.
  • Facilitate cross-training initiatives to increase shop-floor flexibility and reduce single-point dependencies on specialized operators.
  • Maintain and enhance CNC program libraries and tooling databases for reuse across similar part families and product lines.
  • Support sustainability and waste-reduction efforts by recommending process or material changes that reduce scrap and energy use.
  • Assist in the preparation and coordination of internal and external manufacturing audits (ISO 9001, AS9100) and support corrective actions as needed.
  • Serve as backup for production leadership during shift handovers, communicating key status, risks, and escalations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • CNC program review and basic editing (G-code understanding), including CAM workflow using Mastercam, Fusion 360, Siemens NX, or equivalent.
  • Strong blueprint reading, GD&T interpretation, and ability to translate engineering drawings into machining setups.
  • Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for basic fixture and tooling review.
  • Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems for work order management (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite).
  • Familiarity with CNC machine types: 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis milling centers, turning centers, and multitasking machines.
  • Tooling and fixturing selection experience, including insert/tool family knowledge, tool life optimization, and tool presetter use.
  • Knowledge of metrology and inspection equipment: CMM programming/use, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and optical comparators.
  • SPC and process capability analysis (Cp, Cpk), statistical data interpretation and corrective action planning.
  • Experience with lean manufacturing methods (5S, SMED), Kaizen facilitation, and continuous improvement project execution.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause problem-solving skills using structured methodologies (5 Whys, FMEA).
  • Familiarity with first article inspection (FAI), PPAP, and quality management systems (ISO 9001, AS9100).
  • Ability to estimate cycle times, machining costs, and develop routings for complex machined components.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent cross-functional communication: communicate technical issues clearly to engineers, operators, and procurement.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing production demands in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proactive ownership and follow-through—drive issues to resolution with accountability.
  • Attention to detail with a quality-first mindset and focus on continuous improvement.
  • Coaching and leadership skills to train and mentor setup technicians and operators.
  • Analytical thinker with the ability to use production data to recommend process improvements.
  • Adaptability and problem-solving under pressure to manage production disruptions and last-minute customer changes.
  • Customer-focused orientation—manage expectations and provide timely updates to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Collaborative mindset for cross-departmental projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Time management and multitasking capability to handle multiple jobs, documentation, and scheduling tasks concurrently.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Machining Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, or equivalent trade school certification.
  • OR High school diploma/GED with 3+ years of progressive hands-on CNC machining/setup, programming, or production coordination experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
  • Certifications such as NIMS, FANUC/Siemens CNC certification, Lean/Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, or ISO/AS quality training are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology / Machining
  • Mechanical Engineering / Industrial Engineering
  • CAD/CAM Technology
  • Quality Systems / Metrology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years in CNC machining, setup, programming, or production coordination roles, with demonstrated shop-floor leadership and ERP exposure.

Preferred: 5+ years of combined CNC and production coordination experience, including experience with CAM systems, ERP/MRP systems, quality systems (ISO/AS), and continuous improvement projects.

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