THE ORGANIZATION:
Our client is an Okanagan, BC-based cabinet manufacturing business known for quality, reliable service, and operational consistency. From its well-established facility, the organization delivers custom products for thoughtfully designed interior spaces, requiring a high level of coordination from planning through production. The team is grounded in dependable execution, practical problem-solving, and a strong commitment to safety.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Our client is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to support the day-to-day leadership and performance of its cabinet manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Production Manager, this role will help ensure production runs safely, consistently, and effectively while contributing to strong team performance and operational accountability.
This is a hands-on management role for someone who understands custom cabinet manufacturing and the realities of leading production where each order has its own planning, build, and finishing requirements. The Assistant Production Manager will provide supervisors and production teams with clear direction and sound judgement, while taking on increasing responsibility across production leadership.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Production Leadership
- Support production leadership in a custom cabinet manufacturing environment, with responsibility for workflow coordination, production performance, labour planning, material flow, and resource allocation.
- Help ensure smooth operations by keeping production priorities clear, addressing issues as they arise, and supporting consistent execution across the team.
- Model and communicate operational direction set by the Production Manager, ensuring expectations are understood and followed across production.
- Act as a technical and operational resource to the production team, helping troubleshoot production challenges and support practical decision-making.
Team Development & Accountability
- Lead, coach, and support production employees with a focus on accountability, communication, safe work practices, quality standards, training, goal setting, and team development.
- Manage team performance matters in collaboration with supervisors and the Production Manager as needed, including attendance, workplace conduct, performance follow-up, conflict resolution, and consistent application of expectations.
- Support a production culture focused on accountability, teamwork, safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor workflow, capacity, output, and quality to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen production performance.
- Use production data, tracking systems, floor-level observations, and documentation to support continuous improvement, process discipline, reporting, and operational accountability.
- Maintain accurate production records and support reporting related to performance, quality, labour, delivery, and operational results.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead production meetings and participate in leadership meetings to support communication, planning, alignment, and decision-making across the operation.
- Collaborate with maintenance, receiving, shipping, quality, and management to support communication, coordination, and effective operational execution.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS - SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 7+ years of progressive experience in cabinet manufacturing, including 3–5 years in a management, assistant management, or senior production leadership role.
- Direct experience in a custom manufacturing environment is required.
- Previous joinery trade knowledge and experience is required.
- Experience in trade-based production, wood-based cabinet manufacturing, architectural products, or other closely related custom production environments is required.
- Strong understanding of production workflow, quality standards, labour planning, material flow, equipment utilization, and production scheduling.
- Practical experience leading teams in a hands-on production environment, including coaching, accountability, performance management, training, and communication across multiple shifts.
- Demonstrated ability to manage changing production priorities, resolve operational issues, and support sound decision-making in a custom cabinet manufacturing environment.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- In-depth experience working with MRP and ERP systems.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD, CAD/CAM, CNC programming, or related systems is considered an asset.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage processes, measure results, use information to support operational decisions, and hold people accountable in a fair and consistent manner.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- This is an on-site role based in both an office setting and a hands-on production environment.
- The role requires flexibility to support production and operational needs across varying shift schedules, including availability outside standard working hours as needed.
Benefits
- Annual salary of $80,000 - $120,000, based on relevant skill set and experience.
- Extended health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
- Opportunity to contribute to an established cabinet manufacturing operation with a strong focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
