Assistant Production Manager

CAVA Products East•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Assistant Production Manager serves as a key leader on the production floor, acting as the primary resource for frontline team members and a direct link to plant leadership. This role supports day-to-day operations across production departments—Ingredient Prep, Batching, Filling, and Packaging—ensuring adherence to schedules, quality standards and safety protocols. The Assistant Production Manager is a hands-on leader who answers frequent team member questions, resolves issues quickly, and drives alignment with production and company goals.

Requirements

Experience: 2–4 years in food manufacturing or production environment, with prior leadership or lead experience preferred.
Education: High school diploma ; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management , Food Science, or related field preferred.
Leadership: Ability to lead by example, answer questions, and maintain team alignment in a fast-paced environment.
Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with food manufacturing processes and safety standards.
Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of HACCP, GMPs, and regulatory compliance.
Soft Skills: Strong communication , problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Physical dexterity, ability to lift up to 45 lbs and push/pull rolling bowls, carts, and containers with up to 550 lbs of product.
The ability to work in varied environmental conditions (dry, cold)
The ability to stand and work on feet for 8 to 10 hours at a time
Must be able to identify , assess and observe detail
Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively.
Ability to squat, kneel, bend and twist
Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner
Team members must be able to work with these ingredients .

Nice To Haves

Bilingual: English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead & Support Production Operations
Serve as the go-to resource for frontline associates, providing guidance on processes, troubleshooting, and daily priorities.
Assist in coordinating production activities across departments to meet schedules and uphold quality and safety standards.
Communicate effectively with the Assistant Plant Manager and Production Supervisors to ensure smooth operations and timely issue resolution.
Monitor production flow and escalate concerns promptly to minimize downtime and maintain efficiency.
Participate in daily shift huddles to reinforce priorities and share updates.
Support coordination of maintenance and sanitation activities
Ensure Food Safety & Quality
Uphold Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and ensure compliance with food safety protocols.
Support FSQA initiatives by monitoring process controls and documentation accuracy.
Immediately address and escalate any deviations, quality issues, or non-conformances.
Drive Team Engagement
Foster a positive, collaborative, and safety-first culture on the production floor.
Provide informal coaching and feedback to team members to encourage growth and accountability.
Model CAVA’s mission, values, and leadership behaviors.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve yields, and optimize labor efficiency.
Support implementation of new processes and equipment to enhance productivity.
Analize downtime, yields, and labor data to identify improvement opportunities.