About Kennametal
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The Precision Machine Shop Supervisor is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day machining operations within a high‑accuracy manufacturing environment. This role ensures that CNC milling, turning, and grinding activities meet production schedules, quality standards, and safety requirements. The supervisor leads a team of machinists, setters, and programmers, driving continuous improvement across processes, equipment utilisation, and workflow efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Team Management
- Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of machinists, CNC programmers, and setters.
- Plan daily manpower allocation based on workload, skill level, and machine capacity.
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching sessions, and skills‑matrix development.
- Maintain a positive and professional shop‑floor culture.
2. Production & Scheduling
- Ensure production targets, OEE, and on‑time delivery metrics are achieved.
- Coordinate with Sales and Customer Services teams.
- Monitor WIP and adjust schedules.
- Approve setup sheets, tooling lists, and program revisions.
3. Technical & Machining Oversight
- Provide technical support for CNC setups.
- Troubleshoot machining issues.
- Verify CNC programs, offsets, and toolpaths.
- Review first time custom jobs for machining and tolerance requirements.
4. Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure components meet tight tolerances.
- Drive root‑cause investigations.
- Champion 5S, SMED, and lean initiatives.
- Work with QA on calibration and inspection.
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
- Enforce safe working practices.
- Conduct safety briefings and investigations.
- Ensure ISO9001/AS9100 compliance.
6. Equipment & Resource Management
- Oversee maintenance.
- Manage tooling and consumables.
- Participate in machine purchases and NPI.
Qualifications & Experience
- Apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering.
- 5+ years precision machining experience.
- Supervisory experience.
- Strong understanding of drawings, GD&T, tooling.
- Lean/CI knowledge.
- ERP/MRP familiarity and CNC programming knowledge.
Skills & Competencies
- Leadership and communication.
- Problem‑solving.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to manage priorities.
- Inspection tool competence.
Performance Indicators
- On‑time delivery.
- Scrap/rework reduction.
- Machine utilisation and OEE.
- Team skills development.
- Safety and quality compliance.
Location
- Leeway Industrial Estate, Newport
Benefits
- Holiday entitlement
- Company sick pay
- Pension
- Private medical insurance / Health Cash Plan
- Life insurance - Death in Service cover
- Prescription Safety Glasses / Eye tests
- Employee Impact Awards / Sports & Social Club