Assistant Production Manager

Reports To: Plant Manager

Job Summary

The Assistant Production Manager is responsible for managing daily production activities and leading the cut, bundle, and sewing operations supporting the manufacturing of firefighter turnout gear and protective apparel. This position ensures production schedules are met while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, productivity, and on‑time delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead production employees, team leads, cutters, bundlers, and sewing operators.
• Plan daily staffing and assign employees based on skills, training, and production priorities.
• Monitor production flow, productivity, and performance against established goals and KPIs.
• Oversee cutting and bundling activities to ensure materials, labels, travelers, patterns, and specifications are accurate.
• Ensure production meets quality requirements and applicable NFPA/PPE standards.
• Work with Quality, Maintenance, Planning, Warehouse, and Engineering to resolve production issues.
• Track productivity, downtime, scrap, quality, and production attainment; communicate results to management.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflow.
• Coach employees and address performance, attendance, training, and safety concerns.
• Support onboarding and training of new employees.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized production environment in accordance with OSHA and company requirements.
• Complete daily production reports and ensure accurate production data.
• Support ERP, continuous improvement, 5S, and other operational improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 3‑5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in cut‑and‑sew, textile, apparel, PPE, or protective clothing.
• 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience leading teams of approximately 15‑25 employees.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, cutting, sewing, and production processes.
• Turnout gear, firefighter PPE, or NFPA manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Lectra, Paragon, Gerber, or similar cutting systems is a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems and production KPIs.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Computer savvy – Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Physical & Working Requirements

Primarily works on the manufacturing floor. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to lift, push, or pull up to approximately 20‑30 lb. Must follow all required safety and PPE procedures. Ability to work weekends as needed.