Assistant Production Manager

Bell Flavors & Fragrances; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 52,500 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits package

Paid training

Professional development

Supportive team

Job summary

Bell Flavors & Fragrances in Northbrook, IL is seeking a hands-on 3rd Shift Assistant Production Manager to supervise daily operations, lead the production team, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency on the 3rd shift.

You will partner with R&D, Maintenance, and Engineering, develop SOPs, monitor KPIs, support new product launches, and ensure customer service goals are met, with opportunities for training and advancement in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 3+ years in food manufacturing or production management.
• Knowledge of FDA/OSHA/GMP/SQF/HACCP requirements.
• Experience with ERP systems is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work extended hours and varied shifts.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support 3rd Shift production staff to meet daily goals in safety, quality, and efficiency, and customer service goals.
• Lead and support production employees, including coaching, training, performance feedback, and development initiatives.
• Help manage production scheduling, staffing, equipment utilization, labor, overtime, waste, and supplies.
• Develop, maintain, and reinforce Standard Operating Procedures related to production, sanitation, inventory control, and documentation.
• Monitor key performance indicators and support corrective action plans when targets are not met.
• Participate in HACCP, GMP, SQF, Food Safety, Quality, and audit-related activities.
• Partner with R&D, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to support new product launches, reduce downtime, and improve productivity.
• Champion safe work practices and help maintain a clean, organized, and compliant manufacturing environment.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Are you a hands-on leader with a passion for food manufacturing and operational excellence? Bell Flavors & Fragrances is seeking to hire the 3rd Shift Assistant Production Manager to support and lead 3rd Shift operations at our Northbrook plant. In this critical role, support daily production operations at our Northbrook manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for helping lead production teams, drive operational efficiency, support safety and food quality standards, and ensure customer service goals are consistently met.

Job Details

Are you a hands-on leader with a passion for food manufacturing and operational excellence? Bell Flavors & Fragrances is seeking to hire the 3rd Shift Assistant Production Manager to support and lead 3rd Shift operations at our Northbrook plant. In this critical role, support daily production operations at our Northbrook manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for helping lead production teams, drive operational efficiency, support safety and food quality standards, and ensure customer service goals are consistently met.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and support 3rd Shift production staff to meet daily goals in safety, quality, and efficiency, and customer service goals.
• Lead and support production employees, including coaching, training, performance feedback, and development initiatives.
• Help manage production scheduling, staffing, equipment utilization, labor, overtime, waste, and supplies.
• Develop, maintain, and reinforce Standard Operating Procedures related to production, sanitation, inventory control, and documentation.
• Monitor key performance indicators and support corrective action plans when targets are not met.
• Participate in HACCP, GMP, SQF, Food Safety, Quality, and audit-related activities.
• Partner with R&D, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to support new product launches, reduce downtime, and improve productivity.
• Champion safe work practices and help maintain a clean, organized, and compliant manufacturing environment.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Operations Management, Business Management, or related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in food manufacturing, plant operations, or production management.
• Strong understanding of FDA, OSHA, EPA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, and other food manufacturing compliance requirements.
• Experience with food ingredient processing and ERP systems is highly preferred.
• Ability to obtain or currently hold HACCP, Food Defense, and SQF Practitioner certifications.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment and support business needs that may include extended hours, early/late shifts, weekends, or on-call support.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay with a salary range of $52,500 - $105,000
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Paid training and professional development
• A supportive team environment focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Join Bell Flavors & Fragrances and help shape the flavors of tomorrow—while leading a top-performing team on the 3rd Shift.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances develops products for food, beverage, cosmetics, personal care, and household care companies throughout the world. Bell has nine manufacturing plants worldwide including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, and China. Bell operates sales offices in more than 40 countries and is proud to be privately held by the Heinz family. www.bellff.com