Senior Manager, Woodshop Operations
Skyline Furniture is a family-owned and operated wholesale furniture manufacturing company, based just outside of Chicago. Skyline is known throughout the furniture industry for fashion-forward design and handcrafted quality. Skyline’s affordable, custom-made pieces can be found at top retailers online and across the country.
Skyline Furniture is seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager, Woodshop Operations to lead our dedicated woodshop facility responsible for the cutting, CNC machining, and manufacturing of wood frames used in our upholstered furniture.
Reporting to the Director of Factory Operations, this role has full responsibility for the performance, safety, staffing, equipment, and output of the standalone woodshop building. The ideal candidate combines deep woodworking craftsmanship with advanced CNC manufacturing expertise and strong operational leadership. Experience working from 3D-modeled furniture frame designs in Fusion (Fusion 360) is strongly preferred.
Primary Responsibilities
Woodshop & Facility Operations
Lead all day-to-day operations within Skyline’s standalone woodshop facility.
Manage staffing, workflow, production scheduling, and overall shop performance.
Maintain high standards of organization, housekeeping, and operational discipline within the building.
Ensure effective coordination of material flow between the woodshop and the main production facility.
CNC & Machining Operations
Oversee the operation, setup coordination, and performance of multiple CNC routers and woodworking machines.
Optimize CNC workflows, tooling strategies, feeds/speeds, and nesting programs to improve throughput, precision, and material utilization.
Troubleshoot machining and production issues and drive root-cause resolution.
Work with designs modeled in Fusion (Fusion 360) to support CNC programming accuracy and efficient manufacturability.
Furniture Frame Manufacturing
Ensure all frames produced meet Skyline’s structural, dimensional, and quality standards.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of upholstered furniture frame design, joinery methods, and load-bearing requirements.
Collaborate with Design and Engineering teams to improve frame manufacturability, strength, and cost efficiency.
Production Planning & Continuous Improvement
Plan and schedule woodshop production to meet company demand and minimize downtime.
Monitor labor efficiency, scrap rates, and material yield.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Develop standardized processes and work instructions to drive consistency.
Safety, Compliance & Equipment Maintenance
Champion a strong safety culture and enforce OSHA and company safety policies.
Oversee preventive maintenance and safe operation of all woodworking and CNC equipment.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and company standards.
Qualifications
5–7 years of CNC woodworking leadership experience in furniture, cabinet, millwork, or similar manufacturing environments required.
Extensive hands-on experience operating and managing multiple CNC machines in a production setting.
Strong understanding of furniture frame design, joinery techniques, and structural performance.
Proven experience leading production teams within a woodworking or manufacturing environment.
Experience working with Fusion (Fusion 360) or similar 3D CAD software strongly preferred.
Ability to read and interpret shop drawings, CNC files, and production specifications.
Strong problem-solving skills with a practical, shop-floor mindset.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including BCBS PPO health insurance, dental, and vision
- 401(k) with company match
- A stable, family-owned company with long-term growth opportunities
- A collaborative work environment focused on craftsmanship, efficiency, and quality
Please email careers@skylinefurnituremfg.com with your resume and "Senior Manager, Woodshop Operations" in the subject line.
Please note, this is a full time in-person position at our facilities in Thornton, IL.