Assistant Production Manager - UniFirst

UniFirst; Melrose Park (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K match

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

UniFirst is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to lead team development, optimize production processes, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. You will report to the Production Manager and oversee safety, quality, and efficiency while collaborating across departments to align with business goals.

The role requires leadership experience, financial literacy, and Lean Six Sigma familiarity; bilingual English/Spanish is a strong plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of production management experience.
• Financial literacy to analyze production costs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and 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 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

Team development

Process improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Bilingual EN/ES

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

ISO standards

Job description

Job Description - Assistant Production Manager - UniFirst (2604234)

Job Description

Description

Careers that A lways D eliver!

At UniFirst , we Always Deliver —for our customers and our people . Join us as an Assistant Production Manager , where you’ll lead team training, uphold facility standards, prioritize safety, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment . Reporting to the Production Manager, you’ll help guide a dynamic and diverse team while fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusiveness . Bring your leadership skills, process optimization expertise , and financial acumen to make a meaningful impact in our Production Department.

What Y your R ole E ntails:

• 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 conduct ing regular inspections and provid ing 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 d evelop ment 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.

Core C ompetencies:

• Leadership and Team Support: Ability to motivate, inspire, and foster collaboration within a diverse team while ensuring accountability and high performance.
• Process Improvement and Efficiency: Expertise in optimizing production processes and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strategic Adaptability: Capacity to navigate change, align cross‑departmental goals, and support long‑term success in a dynamic environment.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Role:

• Variety and Impact: Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to innovate and lead in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative Culture: You’ll work with a diverse team and engage across multiple departments, fostering inclusiveness and shared success.
• Professional Growth: UniFirst provides continuous training, career advancement opportunities, and a supportive environment for personal and professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age .
• V alid driver’s license and safe driving record is required .
  
• High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.
  
• Minimum 2 years of relevant leadership experience with strong team building and interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, carrying, standing, and walking for extended periods .
• Willingness to travel occasionally (less than 25%).
• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of production management experience, with leadership, process improvement skills, and industry best practices .
• F inancial literacy to analyze production costs and make data‑driven decisions
• P roficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and/or Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Commitment to safety a nd compliance initiatives .
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly preferred.

You W will Benefit From :

• Competitive salary with management bonus eligibility , 401K with company match, profit sharing, health and life insurance, paid time off, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement and more.
• Monday – Friday schedule with occasional weekend work as needed.
• Continuous training and career growth opportunities.
• A diverse and inclusive culture that values different backgrounds and perspectives.

Join UniFirst for a rewarding career with opportunities for advancement and a supportive, diverse work environment.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.

Work Locations

: 081 - CHICAGO, IL 2045 North 17th Ave Melrose Park 60160

Organization

: 081 - Melrose Park IL

Job

: Production

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Level

: Manager

Shift

: 1st Shift

Schedule

: Full‑time

Job Posting

: Aug 19, 2026, 1:28:45 PM

UniFirst Corporation is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer M-F-Disability-Vet