Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Production Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Production Coordinator is the operational focal point for CNC machining production. Responsible for planning and sequencing jobs, maintaining accurate production documentation, optimizing machine utilization, coordinating tooling and maintenance, and ensuring product quality and on-time delivery. This role requires hands-on knowledge of CNC processes (programming, setups, tooling, controllers), strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate across engineering, quality, purchasing, and shop floor teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

CNC Machinist / Setup Technician
Production Planner / Scheduler
Manufacturing Technician / Assembly Lead

Advancement To:

Production Supervisor / Manufacturing Supervisor
CNC Operations Manager / Production Manager
Continuous Improvement Manager / Process Engineering Lead

Lateral Moves:

CNC Programmer / CAM Specialist
Quality Engineer / Quality Manager
Supply Chain / Buyer (focused on tooling and fixtures)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan and schedule all CNC production activities to meet customer delivery dates, balancing machine capacity, labor availability, setup times, and tooling constraints; create and maintain detailed daily and weekly production schedules in the ERP/MRP system.
Generate and release manufacturing work orders, routers, and travelers; ensure correct bill of materials (BOM), routing, tooling lists, and operation sheets are attached and current for each job.
Review engineering drawings and specifications (GD&T, surface finish, critical dimensions) to identify special process requirements, fixtures, inspection points, and potential production risks before release to the shop floor.
Verify CNC programs and CAM outputs (Mastercam, SolidCAM, Fusion 360) for version control and readiness; coordinate simulation and review of G-code to reduce first-part scrap and avoid machine crashes.
Coordinate and prioritize changeovers and setups across vertical/horizontal mills and turning centers (HAAS, Fanuc controls) to minimize downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Manage tooling and insert inventories: forecast consumption, place orders with suppliers, maintain tool holders, cutters, and presetting records, and track tool life to control cost and prevent production interruptions.
Act as the primary liaison between production, engineering, and quality to resolve NCRs, disposition non-conforming parts, implement corrective actions, and update work instructions and packing lists accordingly.
Perform capacity planning and resource allocation for short- and mid-term production horizons; provide load reports and utilization metrics to manufacturing leadership and update forecasts as orders change.
Coordinate first article inspections (FAI) and first piece approvals; assemble inspection plans, coordinate CMM or manual gauging, document results, and sign off or escalate issues to engineering/quality.
Maintain and update routing, cycle times, and standard work documentation for CNC operations; identify opportunities to reduce cycle time, improve yields, and standardize setups.
Track and analyze production KPIs (on-time delivery, scrap, rework, uptime, throughput); prepare weekly production reports, root cause analyses, and recommend process improvements.
Facilitate pre-production meetings and daily production huddles with machinists, maintenance, and quality personnel to align priorities, communicate changes, and escalate risks.
Oversee material staging and kitting for CNC runs; coordinate with purchasing and warehouse to ensure raw materials, blanks, and purchased components are available and properly identified.
Support troubleshooting of shop-floor issues including machine errors, tooling failures, fixture misalignment, and program anomalies; work with maintenance and vendor technicians for repairs and preventative maintenance scheduling.
Control and authorize tooling and fixture design changes; collaborate with tooling engineers to design jigs and fixtures that reduce setup time and improve part stability.
Implement and support continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, SMED) specific to CNC cells to reduce setup time, improve safety, and increase throughput.
Ensure compliance with safety policies and regulatory requirements on the shop floor; conduct or coordinate training for safe machine operation, lockout/tagout, and handling of cutting fluids.
Maintain traceability and production records for serialized or lot-controlled parts; manage traveler documentation, inspection records, and ensure accurate data capture in the ERP system.
Communicate proactively with customers and internal sales on order status, lead-time adjustments, and expedite requests; provide production estimates and delivery commitments.
Manage subcontract machining or secondary operations (heat treat, plating, grinding); generate PO requirements, track vendor performance, and ensure timely return for final assembly.
Coordinate operator training and cross-training programs for CNC setup, operation, and quality checks to ensure bench depth and reduce single-point failures.

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement data collection by maintaining production logs and machine performance histories for analysis.
Assist in the development and updating of process documentation, SOPs, and training materials for CNC operations and best practices.
Work with IT and ERP administrators to refine system workflows, improve work order visibility, and automate routine scheduling tasks where possible.
Participate in capital equipment evaluations and installation planning, including layout impact, utilities, and staffing considerations.
Provide backup support for production supervision during absences, including shift handovers and escalation handling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CNC programming fundamentals and G-code interpretation; ability to review and validate programs before release.
Proficiency with CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, Fusion 360, SolidCAM) and ability to coordinate post-processing and simulation.
Solid understanding of CNC controllers (Fanuc, HAAS, Siemens) and typical machine capabilities and limitations.
Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation skills; able to translate engineering tolerances into inspection and process checks.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Epicor, JobBOSS, SAP, Oracle NetSuite) for order release, scheduling, and inventory control.
Knowledge of tooling, fixtures, presetter use, and tool life management; experience with tooling vendors and cataloging.
Familiarity with inspection equipment and metrology: CMM programming/operation, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and surface finish measurement.
Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies (5S, Kaizen, SMED); experience leading small CI projects.
Production planning and capacity management, including load leveling and finite scheduling techniques.
Quality systems familiarity (ISO 9001, AS9100 preferred) and experience supporting FAI, PPAP, or other customer-specific quality submissions.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, basic macros) for reporting and data analysis.
Experience with shop-floor documentation: work instructions, routings, travelers, and change control processes.
Strong troubleshooting skills for machine, tooling, and process-related issues; able to lead RCA and corrective actions.

Soft Skills

Clear and concise communication skills for interfacing with machinists, engineers, suppliers, and customers.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing production needs under tight deadlines.
Problem-solving mindset with analytical approach and attention to detail.
Team leadership and coaching ability to develop operator skills and promote cross-functional collaboration.
Customer-focused orientation with a sense of urgency and accountability for delivery commitments.
Adaptability to shifting priorities and resilience in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills when balancing capacity, tooling availability, and customer expectations.
Time management and the ability to drive multiple work streams simultaneously.
Data-driven decision making and comfort working with metrics and continuous improvement targets.
Proactive mindset with initiative to identify process improvements and implement changes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate or associate degree in CNC Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or related field preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

CNC Technology / Machining
Manufacturing Engineering / Technology
Mechanical Engineering / Engineering Technology
Industrial Engineering
Tool & Die / Precision Machining

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years in CNC machining, production planning, or related manufacturing roles.
Preferred: 5+ years of hands-on CNC or production coordination experience, including exposure to CAM programming, ERP scheduling, and quality systems (ISO/AS).