CNC Operator & Machinist – Team Lead
About the Role**
We’re looking for a highly experienced CNC Operator with strong leadership skills to take charge of a small machine shop team within a busy and well-equipped Upper Hutt workshop.
This full-time, permanent position is hands-on and technical — ideal for someone with advanced CNC skills ***(Fanuc essential)***, a passion for quality and precision, and the ability to lead workflow and performance in a high-spec machining environment.
You'll be working in a well-supported role with variety, autonomy, and the opportunity to influence how things are run on the floor.
**What You’ll Be Doing:-**- Leading a small team of machinists to deliver high-quality jobs on time
- Operating and programming CNC machinery (Fanuc-controlled, including Doosan)
- Managing workflow, machine maintenance, and shop-floor efficiency
- Overseeing quality control, job reporting, and process improvements
- Supporting stock control and tooling/resource management
- Contributing to workshop safety, training, and team development
- 10+ years’ experience in CNC machining
- Proven ability to program and operate Fanuc-controlled machines
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills
- Excellent understanding of precision machining and engineering drawings
- Solid organisational and reporting skills
- Safety-focused, team-oriented, and driven to improve
- Boring machine experience
- Familiarity with lean/continuous improvement processes
- Strong communication and coaching ability
**Applicants must be NZ residents or hold a valid NZ work visa.**
**Pre-employment checks will include drug screening and a police check.**
If this sounds like you and you are a New Zealand Citizen or Resident, apply for this role. We will close this advert when we have found the ideal person for this role. Call Kayla or Anne today.
***Email your cv directly to:***anne.smith@jobsmith.co.nz
kayla.robinson@jobsmith.co.nz