Assistant Production Manager

About Coalition

Coalition is a group of chemical companies working together to solve real‑world problems for customers across a wide range of industries. We operate under two main brands: Mission Chemical, which focuses on chemical distribution and logistics, and Element Chemicals, which specializes in chemical manufacturing and custom blending.

Our values: Start with the Customer, Care Personally – Challenge Directly, and Level Up.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Production Manager supports the Production Manager in directing the daily operations of the production department, ensuring that safety, quality, and productivity targets are consistently met. This role provides hands‑on leadership to Shift Supervisors, Lead Operators and production operators, drives operator training and workforce development, and serves as a key escalation point for troubleshooting complex process issues. The Assistant Production Manager helps build and sustain a safety‑focused, well‑trained, and high‑performing production workforce, and steps into direct plant operations in the Production Manager's absence.

What You’ll Do

• Production Leadership & Shift Oversight: Support and coordinate Shift Supervisors/Lead Operators across all shifts, provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, and accountability, assign work priorities and staffing, lead employee evaluations and disciplinary actions, and direct housekeeping and 5S standards.
• Safety & Quality Compliance: Champion plant safety processes, act as Incident Commander during emergencies, oversee Safe & Hot Work Permit issuance and LOTO verification, ensure compliance with the Quality Management System, maintain familiarity with environmental regulations, and support audit and inspection readiness.
• Production Planning & Troubleshooting: Lead troubleshooting with Shift Supervisors and maintenance, conduct plant rounds to identify problems, review production reports to drive process improvement, set testing priorities with Lab, and verify inventory transactions and railcar/shipment documentation.
• Training & Workforce Development: Partner with the Production Manager to develop and improve training programs, support on‑the‑job training and qualification evaluations, identify capability gaps, provide coaching, and support onboarding and orientation for new hires.
• Incident Management & Documentation: Complete and review incident reports, counsel employees, ensure corrective actions, maintain training records and shift reports, and communicate performance, training progress, and safety concerns to leadership.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Work with Production, Warehouse, EHS, and Quality teams, participate in continuous improvement initiatives, serve as backup to the Production Manager, and perform all other assigned duties.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in a batch chemical plant, petrochemical, refinery, industrial manufacturing, or a similar environment.
• Minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with training, mentoring, coaching, or leading operators strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of industrial operations, chemical processing systems, equipment, and safe work practices.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements and training documentation standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and hold shift teams accountable to safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Ability to lead troubleshooting efforts and drive resolution of complex operational issues.
• Ability to deliver or support effective hands‑on training in high‑hazard or industrial environments.
• Strong communication, organization, coaching, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and influence without direct authority.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure, including during emergency response situations.

Why Join Coalition?

At Coalition, you’re not just taking a job—you’re joining a culture. You’ll have the opportunity to grow, contribute to something bigger, and be surrounded by people who live our values. We’re committed to development, safety, and long‑term success for every employee.