Assistant Production Manager

CAVA - Foods, Laurel; Montpelier Forest (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Early Wage Access

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation accrual

Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine

401k

Life insurance

Employee discount

Job summary

CAVA – Foods in Laurel, MD is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to lead frontline teams across Ingredient Prep, Batching, Filling and Packaging, ensuring schedules, quality and safety.

You will coach with plant leadership, monitor flow, and drive continuous improvement, waste reduction, and labor efficiency.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years in food manufacturing or production.
• Associate/Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs and safety standards.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead frontline associates, guiding processes, troubleshooting and daily priorities.
• Coordinate production activities across departments to meet schedules and quality standards.
• Communicate with supervisors to ensure smooth operations and timely issue resolution.
• Monitor production flow and address downtime to maintain efficiency.
• Participate in daily shift huddles and coordinate maintenance and sanitation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Bilingual

HACCP

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Assistant Production Manager serves as a key leader on the production floor, acting as the primary resource for frontline team members and a direct link to plant leadership. This role supports day‑to‑day operations across production departments—Ingredient Prep, Batching, Filling, and Packaging—ensuring adherence to schedules, quality standards and safety protocols. The Assistant Production Manager is a hands‑on leader who answers frequent team member questions, resolves issues quickly, and drives alignment with production and company goals.

What You’ll Do:

Lead & Support Production Operations

• Serve as the go‑to resource for frontline associates, providing guidance on processes, troubleshooting, and daily priorities.

• Assist in coordinating production activities across departments to meet schedules and uphold quality and safety standards.

• Communicate effectively with the Assistant Plant Manager and Production Supervisors to ensure smooth operations and timely issue resolution.

• Monitor production flow and elevate concerns promptly to minimize downtime and maintain efficiency.

• Participate in daily shift huddles to reinforce priorities and share updates.

• Support coordination of maintenance and sanitation activities.

Ensure Food Safety & Quality

• Uphold Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and ensure compliance with food safety protocols.

• Support FSQA initiatives by monitoring process controls and documentation accuracy.

• Immediately address and elevate any deviations, quality issues, or non‑conformances.

Drive Team Engagement

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and safety‑first culture on the production floor.

• Provide informal coaching and feedback to team members to encourage growth and accountability.

• Model CAVA’s mission, values, and leadership behaviors.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve yields, and optimize labor efficiency.

• Support implementation of new processes and equipment to enhance productivity.

• Analyze downtime, yields, and labor data to identify improvement opportunities.

The Qualifications:

• Experience: 2–4 years in food manufacturing or production environment, with prior leadership or lead experience preferred.

• Education: High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Food Science, or related field preferred.

• Leadership: Ability to lead by example, answer questions, and maintain team alignment in a fast‑paced environment.

• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with food manufacturing processes and safety standards.

• Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of HACCP, GMPs, and regulatory compliance.

• Soft Skills: Strong communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.

• Bilingual: English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical dexterity, ability to lift up to 45 lbs and push/pull rolling bowls, carts, and containers with up to 550 lbs of product.

• The ability to work in varied environmental conditions (dry, cold).

• The ability to stand and work on feet for 8 to 10 hours at a time.

• Must be able to identify, assess and observe detail.

• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively.

• Ability to squat, kneel, bend and twist.

• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

• Allergens: We prepare products with milk and sesame‑containing ingredients. Team members must be able to work with these ingredients.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long‑term incentives*

• Early Wage Access!

• Six (6) paid holidays annually

• Paid sick leave

• Vacation accrual beginning at 3rd month

• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!

• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution

• Company‑paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*

• CAVA restaurant employee discount

• Casual work environment

• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand

• All employees are eligible for benefits.

• The compensation range posted includes total cash.

• * Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

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