CNC Operator

Department: Production • Reports to: Managing Director • Location: Hartland, WI

About the role

The Production Planner performs and ensures manufacturing planning and quality assurance of manufacturing specifications to meet shipping dates according to sales forecasts or customer orders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute daily and weekly production schedules aligned with customer demand and capacity.
• Balance production loads across work centers to optimize throughput and minimize bottlenecks.
• Release and prioritize work orders based on demand, material availability, and capacity constraints.
• Manage production backlog to support on-time delivery and lead-time commitments.
• Coordinate closely with sales, customer service, and supply chain to address order changes and priority shifts.
• Proactively identify risks to delivery commitments and recommend corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary liaison between production, purchasing, inventory, and logistics.
• Communicate schedule changes, constraints, and priorities to shop floor leadership.
• Support escalation and resolution of production issues impacting customer deliveries.
• Maintain accurate production data within the ERP systems (work orders, routings, schedules).
• Monitor key operational KPIs including OTD, schedule adherence, WIP, and backlog.
• Support continuous improvement through data-driven analysis and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve scheduling effectiveness, flow, and lead times.
• Support standard work development and documentation related to production control processes.
• Participate in operational reviews and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related area preferred.
• At least two years of experience in related disciplines including design drafting, production planning, or assembly work.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints to draft clear and detailed manufacturing procedures.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to frequently twist, turn, reach over shoulders, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, and walk.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.