Manufacturing Production Assistant

Bayer•Myerstown, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports daily manufacturing operations to produce high-quality products safely, efficiently, and in compliance with site policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements. The Manufacturing Production Assistant assists operators and production leads in preparing materials, maintaining documentation, and ensuring smooth production flow across multiple manufacturing areas. The role contributes to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and adherence to Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO) principles by embracing collaboration, accountability, and digital tools that drive efficiency and compliance.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Ability to follow written procedures, diagrams, and equipment instructions
Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation accuracy
Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Applications, email, and digital documentation tools)

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or technical training in manufacturing
Minimum 6 months of experience in a manufacturing, production, or warehouse environment
Experience using motorized and non-motorized material handling equipment
Familiarity with SAP, MES, or other electronic manufacturing systems
Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, Kaizen, and 5S methodology
Experience with PSS (Production System Standards) work processes

Responsibilities

Take ownership of personal learning and skill development, completing required training within assigned timelines.
Serve as ambassador and champion of operational excellence and PSS.
Support the team culture by collaborating, sharing knowledge, and demonstrating a willingness to learn multiple manufacturing processes.
Embrace digital tools and data-driven systems to support process execution, documentation, and compliance.
Participate in cross-training to support workforce flexibility and contribute to high-performing, autonomous teams.
Act as the liaison between Supply Chain and Production to support a plan the department can commit to: align master schedule and material allocations, coordinate daily/weekly planning cadence, identify and resolve capacity or supply constraints, communicate changes, and escalate roadblocks to restore plan integrity.
Support production operators with material staging, equipment preparation, and setup activities.
Serve as the PSS expert, accountable for leading, implementing, and sustaining all PSS work processes.
Participate in Level 1 meetings to review performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and align with team priorities.
Lead Kaizen events across manufacturing areas to ensure sustainable lean processes: plan event scope and logistics, facilitate cross-functional teams, drive root-cause analysis (5 Whys/A3), implement rapid countermeasures, document new standard work, and track results with 30/60/90-day plans.
Coach and train operators and leads on lean tools, standard work, and sustaining improvements; build capability to run future Kaizen events independently.
Support 24-hour dialogue, driving in-depth discussion of performance vs. standards.
Assist in the safe and efficient operation of manufacturing equipment under supervision, following all site procedures and safety practices.
Monitor equipment and processes, promptly reporting any abnormalities or deviations to the lead or supervisor.
Active exchanges with all team members regarding ideas and suggestions for improvements.
Perform housekeeping and 5S activities to maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.
Assist in minor troubleshooting, changeovers, and cleaning tasks as trained.
Support production efficiency and equipment uptime by following standard procedures and best practices.
Ensure adherence to SOPs, GMPs, OSHA, and other regulatory and company standards.
Maintain accurate records of work performed, including process steps, cleaning verification, and quality checks.
Notify Lead promptly of any quality or compliance issues.
Participate in audits, inspections, A3s, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Follow all safety guidelines, including proper PPE use, Lockout/Tagout procedures, and ergonomic practices.
Participate in safety meetings and contribute to maintaining a strong safety culture.
Identify and report hazards or unsafe conditions immediately.