Team Lead- Machining
JGW Machine Limited is one of Ontario's leading metal fabricators, manufacturing a wide variety of metal components for customers across Ontario and worldwide. Our clean, modern, highly automated 106,000 square foot facility is strategically located in South Western Ontario. At JGW Machine Limited our capabilities include engineering and design, machining, tooling and complete quality control. Process capabilities include laser welding, CNC machining, production welding, metal spinning, powder coat painting, finishing and assembly services. We ship metal components, weldments, and full assemblies globally. JGW Machine Limited has a tradition of quality metal fabricated products at competitive prices. We specialize in short run, tight tolerance metal forming, fabrication, welding and assembly.
Job Summary:
The Machining Team Lead is a working leader who coordinates work, guides team members, and ensures machining operations meet established safety, quality, and productivity standards. This role provides hands-on leadership on the shop floor and serves as the primary point of contact for machinists, while escalating issues and supporting the Manufacturing Supervisor as required. The Team Lead does not hold full supervisory authority but may assume limited supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Supervisor.
Key Responsibilities:
- Complies with company policies and procedures while performing duties.
- Assigns and coordinates daily work activities for employees within the machining area area of responsibility.
- Monitors production activities to ensure established schedules, quality standards, and safety requirements are consistently met.
- Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety, and team morale to support operational goals.
- Identifies, analyzes, and resolves routine production issues, escalating complex issues to the Supervisor.
- Ensures machined components meet quality standards using established inspection tools and ISO procedures.
- Able to read, understand, and accurately interpret engineering drawings, machining tolerances, GD&T, and specifications.
- Assists with minor machine maintenance, housekeeping, and general production support as required.
- Oversees conventional drilling, manual milling, manual turning, and tool room activities as required to support production.
- This position does not include full people-management authority (e.g., discipline, hiring, termination), unless formally delegated by management.
- Lead by example with hands-on setup, operation, and troubleshooting of CNC machining equipment, including vertical, horizontal, and turning centers, primarily Okuma brand machines.
Quality & Safety:
- Ensures all machining work is performed in compliance with safety regulations and company procedures.
- Ensure part quality, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish meet company standards through first-article inspections, in-process checks, and final inspection methods.
- Promote consistent machining practices and adherence to approved programs, setup sheets, and tooling standards.
- Promote continuous improvement in safety, efficiency and workmanship.
- Report safety concerns, incidents, tooling issues, or equipment malfunctions promptly.
Leadership & Team Support:
- Provides leadership, mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job training to machinists based on skill level and experience.
- Trains new employees on safe operation of CNC and manual machining equipment and standard work procedures.
- Acts as a role model for safe work practices, quality workmanship and company values.
- Suggests and supports initiatives to motivate team members and improve engagement.
- Communicate regularly with individuals and teams regarding safety, production, quality, equipment, and environmental matters.
- Promotes teamwork, accountability, adherence to procedures and shop standards.
Administrative & Support Functions:
- Assists the Manager/Supervisor with performance feedback and input for performance appraisals.
- Provides support to engineering and management on special projects.
- Communicates production status, machining challenges, and improvements to supervision.
- Assists with documentation, job tracking, setup sheets and process updates.
- Acts as a backup to the Production Supervisor when required, assuming limited supervisory responsibilities as formally assigned, and escalating issues beyond delegated authority to management.
- Performs other duties as assigned by management.
Skill Factors:
- Advanced knowledge of CNC machining processes, including multi-axis vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, and CNC turning equipment.
- Demonstrated experience working with Okuma CNC machines; familiarity with Okuma controls and machine architecture preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to set up, prove out, and optimize CNC machining programs, tooling, and fixtures.
- Strong understanding of machining tolerances, GD&T, and blueprint interpretation.
- Experience with conventional drilling, manual milling, and manual turning operations.
- Strong working knowledge of cutting tools, inserts, tool holders, and tooling selection.
- Ability to troubleshoot machining issues related to tooling, programming, fixturing, and machine performance.
- Familiarity with tool room practices, tool presetting, and tooling inventory control.
- Leadership experience or demonstrated ability to lead by example.
- Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Capable of measuring parts using precision measuring equipment (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, etc.).
- Capable of measuring part and product dimensions to specification.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
Effort & Physical Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and people skills.
- Capable of working with minimal supervision.
- Hands-on, results-oriented individual with the ability to train and motivate shop floor personnel.
- May be required to lift products up to 30 lbs.
- May be required to stand for prolonged periods.
- May be required to perform a wide range of physical movements, including bending, crawling, crouching, and kneeling.
- Willingness to work overtime or flexible shifts as production demands.
- Occasional exposure to warm or hot conditions during summer months.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Technical college, apprenticeship, or equivalent machining education considered an asset.
- Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a CNC machining environment, including prior lead, senior machinist, or informal leadership responsibilities.
- Experience with CNC programming using GibbsCAM considered an asset, including program creation, review, editing, and optimization.
This position is located in Princeton, Ontario, which is 25 minutes from Cambridge and 10 minutes from Brantford.
Candidates who are interested in becoming a part of our dynamic team environment are invited to forward their resume.
Please visit our website for more information www.jgwmachine.com.
We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25.00-$32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Do you have reliable transportation to Princeton, ON?
Education:
- Secondary School (required)
Experience:
- CNC milling machine: 5 years (preferred)
- Leadership: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
