Manufacturing Operations Assistant

A growing manufacturing company in the East Valley is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Assistant to support day-to-day plant operations and work directly alongside the Operations Manager. This is a hands-on manufacturing role designed for someone who understands production environments and wants to develop into an operations leadership position.

The ideal candidate has experience in a manufacturing setting and understands how materials move from receiving and production through quality control, inventory management, and final shipment. This position requires regular time on the production floor and occasional hands-on production support.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Production Support

• Assist the Operations Manager with daily production schedules, staffing coverage, and workflow priorities.
• Coordinate activities between Production, Warehouse, Quality, Purchasing, and Customer Service teams to ensure on-time order fulfillment.
• Monitor production progress and help resolve delays or bottlenecks.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and waste reduction.
• Maintain compliance with safety procedures, housekeeping standards, and quality requirements.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Monitor raw materials and finished goods inventory levels.
• Perform cycle counts and inventory audits.
• Identify potential shortages and communicate replenishment needs.
• Assist with inventory accuracy investigations and corrective actions.

Purchasing & Vendor Coordination

• Create and track purchase orders.
• Follow up with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate material availability to support production requirements.

Reporting & Process Improvement

• Track operational metrics including production output, inventory accuracy, scrap levels, and on-time delivery.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports for management.
• Analyze production or material issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Assist with process improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Cross-Functional Support

• Provide support with onboarding, training coordination, and workforce planning as needed.
• Step into production, packaging, shipping, or material handling functions when operational demands require.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

• Experience in at least two of the following areas:- Production scheduling

  • Inventory control and cycle counting
  • Purchasing and purchase orders
  • Quality inspection

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and basic reporting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Word.

• Ability to work on the production floor for a significant portion of the day.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Self-motivated with the ability to manage responsibilities independently.

Preferred

• Experience with ERP or MRP systems.
• Experience in packaging, plastics, converting, or related manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with employee onboarding, training, or workforce coordination.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field.

You should be proficient in:

• Warehouse Experience
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Vendor & Supplier Management
• ERP & MRP Systems
• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Inventory Management & Control
• Supply Chain Management
• Workplace Safety & EHS Management
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• Root Cause Analysis
• Microsoft Excel