Assistant Production Manager: Lead Lean & Safety

081 - Melrose Park IL; Illinois; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with management-bon

401K with company match

Profit sharing

Health and life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

UniFirst is seeking an Assistant Production Manager in Melrose Park, IL to lead team training, uphold safety and quality, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

You will report to the Production Manager and guide a diverse team while fostering collaboration and inclusion, with responsibilities spanning scheduling, cost control, and cross-department coordination.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of relevant leadership experience with strong team building and interpersonal relationships.
• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of production management experience, with leadership, process improvement skills, and industry best practices.
• Financial literacy to analyze production costs and make data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and/or Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Commitment to safety and compliance initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Optimize processes by partnering with the Production Manager to spearhead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Achieve production targets while maintaining quality standards and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Support and inspire team members to foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing work environment.
• Foster a service-oriented culture that delivers exceptional value to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure safety compliance by conducting regular inspections and providing training and proactive initiatives.
• Oversee wastewater processes to optimize efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
• Manage inventory, vendor relationships, and equipment maintenance to ensure seamless operations.
• Assist development and implementation of production schedules while driving operational improvements.
• Collaborate across departments, including Service, Sales, Maintenance, and Office, to align production goals with business objectives and our enterprise mindset.
• Exhibit strategic agility to adapt to change, overcome challenges, and drive long-term success.
• Support employee transitions by partnering with the Production Manager in hiring, onboarding, retention, and offboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Process Improvement

Strategic Adaptability

Interpersonal Relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Lean Six Sigma

ISO standards

Job description

UniFirst is seeking an Assistant Production Manager in Melrose Park, IL to lead team training, uphold safety and quality, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

You will report to the Production Manager and guide a diverse team while fostering collaboration and inclusion, with responsibilities spanning scheduling, cost control, and cross-department coordination.