Assistant Operations Manager

The Assistant Operations Manager supports the Operations Manager in achieving monthly, quarterly, and annual finished goods production plans and operational performance metrics. This role assists in overseeing finished goods operations by coordinating production scheduling, registration, staging, packaging, labeling, compliance, staffing, process improvements, and daily operational execution. The Assistant Operations Manager partners with cross-functional departments including Cultivation, Extraction, Packaging, Commercial, Quality, Inventory, and Retail to ensure efficient production, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing process. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing and executing daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly production schedules to meet wholesale and retail demand.
• Support execution of the finished goods production plan while monitoring operational performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor daily production activities and communicate production risks, delays, or capacity constraints to the Operations Manager.
• Assist with production registration, staging, packaging, labeling, and inventory flow to ensure timely completion of production orders.
• Coordinate production priorities with cultivation, extraction, packaging, quality, inventory, and commercial departments.
• Ensure production activities comply with company SOPs, GMP, HACCP, QIS, and state cannabis regulations.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to production supervisors and team members.
• Assist with employee scheduling, labor allocation, cross-training, onboarding, and performance coaching.
• Help establish performance expectations and provide regular feedback to employees.
• Support disciplinary actions, attendance management, and employee development in partnership with Human Resources and the Operations Manager.
• Promote a positive, accountable, and safety-focused work environment.
• Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with implementation of automation, new equipment, and operational technology.
• Help develop and maintain process flow diagrams, SOPs, work instructions, and operational documentation.
• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure adequate inventory of packaging materials and production supplies.
• Assist Inventory and Compliance teams with cycle counts, audits, reconciliations, and METRC compliance. 
  
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to ensure product specifications and documentation requirements are consistently met. 
  
• Assist in coordinating internal and third-party laboratory testing schedules. 
  
• Monitor departmental KPIs including:
  • Units Per Hour 
  • Labor Efficiency 
    
  • Schedule Attainment 
    
  • Forecast vs. Actual Production 
    
  • Downtime 
    
  • Scrap/Waste 
    
  • Quality Metrics 
    
  • OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Prepare operational reports and communicate performance trends to the Operations Manager. 
  
• Support staffing and capacity planning based on production forecasts. 
  
• Coordinate with Facilities and Maintenance to ensure equipment uptime and timely repairs. 
  
• Participate in qualification and implementation of new production equipment. 
  
• Monitor preventive maintenance schedules and communicate equipment issues impacting production. 
  
• Work collaboratively with Cultivation, Extraction, Packaging, Commercial, Inventory, Quality, Procurement, and Facilities to ensure smooth production flow. 
  
• Assist with R&D trials, new product launches, and process validations.
  
• Participate in operational meetings and communicate production updates across departments. 
  
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment. 
  
• Support special projects and continuous improvement initiatives. 
  
• Serve as acting Operations Manager during periods of absence when assigned. 
  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
  
• Direct supervision of production supervisors and production personnel. 
  
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, coaching, and employee development.
  
• Overtime as required to support production objectives.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Assist in managing a team of 15+ employees. 

Relevant Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered. 
  
• 3–7 years of manufacturing or operations leadership experience. 
  
• xperience supervising production teams in a regulated manufacturing environment preferred. 
  
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles. 
  
• Experience with inventory control, production scheduling, and KPI reporting. 
  
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills. 
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. 
  
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency. 
  
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities effectively
  
• Must be 21 years of age or older
  
• Ability to pass a background check 
  

Physical Requirements:

• Long periods of prolonged sitting and standing 
• Long periods of prolonged use of office equipment including computers and phones
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer
• May require lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally
  

Work Environment:

• Sanitary manufacturing/warehousing environment.
• Occasional exposure to automation and equipment noise within OSHA-regulated levels.
• Constant interaction with internal and external stakeholders 
  

Firelands Scientific is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.