Assistant Production Manager - UniFirst

UniFirst Corporation; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Management bonus eligibility

401K with company match

Health and life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

UniFirst Corporation seeks an Assistant Production Manager to lead a diverse team, drive continuous improvement, and maintain high safety and quality standards in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with the Production Manager on scheduling, inventory, and cross‑department coordination, while supporting cost‑effective operations and team development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience.
• Ability to perform physical tasks and travel up to 25%.
• Bachelor's degree or 2+ years of production management experience with leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead team training and uphold facility standards.
• Partner with Production Manager to drive continuous improvement.
• Achieve production targets while maintaining quality and reducing costs.
• Oversee safety compliance through inspections and training.
• Manage inventory, vendor relationships, and equipment maintenance.
• Develop and implement production schedules and cross‑department collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Process Improvement

Financial Acumen

Safety Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Suite

ISO/Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Assistant Production Manager

Careers that Always Deliver!

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 Your Role Entails

• 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.

Core Competencies

• 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

What You Bring to UniFirst

• Minimum 21 years of age.


• Valid 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.


• 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.

You 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.

If you require an accommodation during any part of the application process due to a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at [e-mail] or through our EthicsFirst portal at UniFirst.ethicspoint.com. You may also call the EthicsFirst Hotline at [phone] to let us know the nature of your request.

UniFirst Recruiters and/or representatives will not ask job seekers to provide personal financial information when submitting a job application. Please be vigilant as such requests for information may be fraudulent.

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.