Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Operations Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Operations Coordinator is responsible for coordinating day-to-day CNC shop activities to meet on-time delivery, quality, cost and safety targets. This role acts as the operational hub between CNC programmers, shop floor operators, process engineers, quality assurance, purchasing and production planning. The ideal candidate combines hands-on CNC knowledge (G-code/CAM/CNC setup) with strong planning, communication and continuous improvement skills to drive machine utilization, reduce lead times and resolve production bottlenecks.

Key focus areas: production scheduling and expediting, tooling and fixture management, CNC program readiness and optimization, first-article/first-piece verification, ERP work order management, and implementation of lean practices (5S, SMED, root-cause problem solving). This position is optimized for precision machining environments (metalworking, aerospace, medical devices, complex contract manufacturing) and requires familiarity with blueprint reading, GD&T, inspection tooling and shop safety standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

CNC Operator with setup and programming exposure
Production Coordinator or Material Planner in a machining environment
Manufacturing Technician or Apprentice machinist

Advancement To:

Production or Operations Supervisor / Manager
Process Engineering or Manufacturing Engineer Lead
Continuous Improvement Manager / Plant Manager

Lateral Moves:

Quality Engineer (CMM/inspection focus)
Tooling & Fixture Engineer / Maintenance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Coordinate daily and weekly CNC production schedules to meet customer delivery dates, balancing machine capacity, setup times, raw material availability and priority changeovers while minimizing expedited freight and overtime.
Act as the central point of contact between CNC operators, machinists, process engineers and quality inspectors to ensure all production work orders are executed according to the routing, traveler, and engineering instructions.
Review and verify CNC programs (G-code) and CAM outputs prior to machine implementation, ensuring program revision control, toolpath verification, sequence optimization and safe machine movement.
Prepare and maintain accurate work orders, travelers and setup sheets in the ERP/MRP system (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle NetSuite) including routing, cycle times, labor allocations and expected yield.
Manage tooling, inserts, gauges and fixture inventory: create and maintain tooling cards, reorder thresholds, tool life tracking, and ensure correct tool offsets and holders are available for scheduled runs.
Lead first-article inspections and first-piece sign-offs in coordination with quality engineers; document inspection results and coordinate corrective actions for non-conforming dimensions or process drift.
Facilitate quick and accurate setups by generating detailed setup instructions, cutting parameters, spindle speeds/feeds, coolant recommendations, and fixturing requirements to reduce setup time and scrap.
Monitor machine utilization and OEE metrics; analyze downtime causes, categorize events, and lead root-cause investigations to recover capacity and improve throughput.
Coordinate preventative maintenance windows with maintenance technicians to minimize production disruption while ensuring CNC machines are calibrated, maintained and compliant with manufacturer recommendations.
Expedite parts and material flow on the shop floor, resolving bottlenecks, reallocating work between machines and coordinating with purchasing for urgent material needs.
Deploy continuous improvement initiatives such as SMED for changeover reduction, 5S for shop organization, and Kaizen events to drive waste out of machining processes.
Ensure compliance with safety standards, PPE usage, lockout/tagout procedures and safe handling of coolants, lubricants and cutting fluids in the CNC area.
Oversee tooling setups for complex multi-op parts including fixture design input, progressive fixturing, and coordination for multi-axis machining and sub-spindle operations.
Validate engineering change orders (ECOs) and ensure affected work orders, CNC programs, and travelers are updated and communicated to all stakeholders before production changes take effect.
Manage subcontracting and outside processing activities (heat treat, coating, plating, EDM) by issuing clear specs, monitoring lead times and integrating returned parts into production flow.
Provide hands-on support for complex or high-priority runs, including setup assistance, first-piece proofing and troubleshooting machining anomalies in real time.
Maintain CNC program libraries, version backups and secure storage of critical CAM files and post-processed G-code to prevent data loss and ensure traceability.
Prepare and present weekly production reports and capacity forecasts to operations leadership, highlighting risks, schedule gaps and recommended mitigation plans.
Train and mentor CNC operators in best practices for setup, inspection, tool management and safe machine operation; develop cross-training plans to increase operator flexibility.
Implement quality assurance checkpoints and sampling plans (SPC) for critical dimensions, collaborating with QA to implement corrective and preventive actions for recurring defects.
Coordinate engineering support for process validations, run-offs, pilot builds and ramp-ups when introducing new parts or launching new customers.
Control scrap and rework by analyzing scrap drivers, implementing containment plans, and working cross-functionally to permanently address root causes.
Maintain accurate documentation for certifications and audits (ISO 9001, AS9100) including process records, calibration logs, tooling certifications and first article documentation.

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement projects that optimize material flow, reduce cycle times and improve ergonomics on the shop floor.
Assist purchasing with sourcing long-lead tooling, custom fixtures and outsourced services; evaluate vendor performance for quality and on-time delivery.
Contribute to health & safety initiatives and participate in safety committee meetings for the manufacturing floor.
Provide ad-hoc machining expertise for engineering change reviews, design for manufacturability (DFM) discussions and quoting support for new jobs.
Maintain and update CNC job setup documentation, training guides and SOPs to preserve institutional knowledge and reduce onboarding time.
Run regular audits of tooling calibration, gauge repeatability and machine accuracy; collaborate with metrology for corrective actions when measurements drift.
Participate in cross-functional production planning meetings to ensure alignment of material procurement, capacity and customer priorities.
Assist in developing and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, first-pass yield, scrap %, and machine utilization.
Support escalation processes for customer complaints related to machining defects, coordinating containment, root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
Help plan capital projects related to shop expansion, new machine acquisition, or cell reorganizations to increase capacity or capability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in CNC programming fundamentals and G-code review; experience with CAM systems such as Mastercam, GibbsCAM, Fusion 360 or PowerMill.
Hands-on knowledge of CNC milling and turning machines (2- to 5-axis mills, lathes, mill/turn centers) and typical machine controls (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain).
Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation skills to translate engineering drawings into machining setups and inspection requirements.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems for work order creation and tracking (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, JobBOSS).
Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) to collaborate on fixture/part orientation and design for manufacturability (DFM).
Familiarity with inspection equipment and metrology tools including CMM programming/operation, micrometers, calipers, height gauges and surface finish testers.
Data-driven problem solving using SPC, root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone), and metrics analysis to reduce variability and scrap.
Tooling and fixturing expertise, including tool life management, tool presetting, and selection of coatings/materials for inserts and endmills.
Knowledge of machine maintenance basics, preventative maintenance planning, and experience coordinating with maintenance teams for calibrations.
Strong Excel skills for production tracking, capacity modeling, pivot tables and basic VBA or macros for automation.
Understanding of manufacturing quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, AS9100) and experience maintaining audit-ready documentation.
Experience with process optimization techniques: SMED, 5S, Kaizen, and lean manufacturing methodologies.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate cross-functional teams, write clear setup instructions and communicate schedule changes.
Strong organizational ability and attention to detail when managing multiple jobs, tooling inventories and change orders simultaneously.
Problem-solver with a pragmatic, hands-on approach to troubleshooting machining issues under time pressure.
Leadership and influence to coordinate teams without direct authority, train operators, and lead small improvement projects.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance urgent customer requirements with long-term process improvements.
Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced production environment with shifting priorities and technical challenges.
Collaborative mindset, able to work closely with engineering, quality, purchasing and production to find practical solutions.
Continuous improvement orientation and willingness to learn new CAM/CNC technologies and production processes.
Customer-focused, maintaining professional communication with internal stakeholders and external vendors to meet expectations.
Ethical and safety-first attitude, committed to enforcing safe work practices and maintaining a respectful shop floor culture.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant hands-on CNC or manufacturing experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in CNC Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or Machining.
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Technology preferred for higher-level coordination roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

CNC Technology / Machining
Manufacturing or Industrial Technology
Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering
Toolmaking / Precision Machining

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–7 years of progressive experience in CNC machining, production coordination, or process support in a precision manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

5+ years of hands-on CNC experience with demonstrated exposure to programming, setup and troubleshooting; prior experience using ERP/MRP systems and leading small operational improvements.
Experience in regulated industries (aerospace, medical device, defense) or ISO/AS certified facilities is highly desirable.
Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma (Yellow/Green Belt), OSHA, or CAM/CNC vendor certifications are a plus.