Manufacturing Specialist – Woodworking & CNC Operations Newark, NJ Full-Time | Onsite Schedule: Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: Half Day Salary Range: $100,000 – $150,000 Description / Position Overview This role owns the performance, efficiency, and consistency of CNC-driven woodworking operations on the manufacturing floor. The Manufacturing Specialist is responsible for improving processes, programming and optimizing CNC equipment, and ensuring production runs accurately with minimal downtime. This role exists to bring structure, standardization, and technical expertise to a high-volume environment where precision and efficiency directly impact output. This is a hands-on role working directly with machines, operators, and production teams to ensure work is done correctly, consistently, and at scale. Responsibilities Process Ownership & Improvement • Analyze product specifications and define efficient, repeatable production processes • Standardize workflows across machines and production lines • Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to increase throughput CNC Programming & Optimization • Program and optimize CNC machines to ensure accurate and efficient output • Maintain and update machine libraries, materials, and hardware settings • Troubleshoot machine and software issues to minimize downtime Production Support • Monitor production quality and make real-time adjustments as needed • Support engineering, drafting, and production teams with technical expertise • Ensure products are built accurately and consistently to specification Equipment Ownership • Take ownership of key machines including panel saws, edge banders, and related equipment • Ensure machines are running efficiently and consistently • Support preventive maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives Training & Standardization • Train operators on machine operation, best practices, and troubleshooting • Build consistency across operators and shifts through structured processes • Share knowledge and improve team capability across the floor Success in This Role • Processes are standardized, efficient, and consistently followed • CNC machines run with minimal downtime and strong output quality • Operators are trained, confident, and aligned on best practices • Production accuracy improves with fewer errors and rework • Workflow efficiency increases across machines and teams Requirements • Strong experience in woodworking and CNC-based manufacturing environments • Experience programming and operating CNC machines • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capability • Hands-on approach with strong attention to detail • Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment Must-Have Capabilities • Strong ownership mindset over machines, processes, and output • Ability to identify issues and implement practical solutions quickly • Strong technical understanding of CNC workflows and production processes • Ability to train and develop operators with clear, structured guidance Nice-to-Haves • Experience with Cabinet Vision or similar software • Exposure to multi-machine environments and cross-training • Experience supporting process improvement or SOP development Final Invitation to Apply If you are a hands-on manufacturing operator who understands CNC, takes ownership of processes, and wants to improve how production runs day-to-day, we’d like to hear from you. If you have most of this experience and can step in and make an impact, we encourage you to apply. Email Resume: Joel@maiplacement.com Apply Online: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/maiplacement/job/x56h7m75ckf6dsg4e337caf3co?crt=766 Refer a friend, get up to $1000!