Behind every quality product at ChemTec is a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about what they do. Machining Manager John Payne’s decades of manufacturing experience shape his approach to leadership and continuous improvement. We caught up with John to talk about his career path, leadership philosophy, and life outside ChemTec.
How did you get started in your current role, and what drew you to ChemTec?
I first learned about ChemTec in 2024 as an independent contractor, providing manufacturing consulting services in the machine shop. When the Machine Shop Manager position became available, it felt like the right opportunity to apply my years of aerospace and job shop experience at a well-established OEM that values its products, quality, and continuous improvement.
What has been your most rewarding aspect of the job?
I value the opportunity to drive positive change and continuous improvement within an already successful organization, especially one that welcomes new ideas and gives people the latitude to implement them.
What strengths do you bring to your position for a company like ChemTec?
I bring senior leadership experience and decades of hands-on shop floor expertise as a toolmaker, journeyman machinist, and former shop owner. My background across manufacturing operations gives me a strong passion for the industry, practical insight, and the ability to support both short- and long-term strategic planning with the tactical steps needed to pursue excellence.
What’s one skill you wish you’d learned earlier in your career?
I wish I had earned a business degree earlier in my career—but as the saying goes, “It’s never too late.”
Tell us a little bit about your personal life: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
While it may not be a hobby in the traditional sense, I also teach precision machining, both manual and CNC, at Atlantic Technical College and Broward College. I find it very rewarding to give back to the community. In my free time, I’ve had a lifelong passion for basketball and play two to three times a week in competitive leagues. I’m also an avid sports fan who enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors.
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