full on CNC would be overkill. If you put encoders on the drives, you could keep track of where it was. The cheapest solution might be to just install inductive proximity switches on the rails for each X,Y position. Maybe you could add a button to the pendant and it would ignore the proximity switches unless the "position" button was pushed. When the button was pushed, it would stop the axis when it hit a switch. This would let you jog past the other oven positions and when you get close to the desired oven, you hold the button down and the crane automatically stops when it gets there. If you need decelerations and stuff then it might require a PLC with encoders, but a bisic setup with switches would require only a little wiring.
Matt