About Us

Northwestern Systems Corporation, BetterBuilt an Allentown Company is a recognized leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of high-quality products for Life Science environments - including Vivariums and Laboratory Research Facilities - as well as Healthcare applications in Sterile Processing and Surgical Departments. Based in Western Canada, our modern manufacturing facility supports distribution across North America, the UK, and Asia through a network of experienced sales professionals.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Assistant Production Manager will be responsible for overseeing daily Laser & Brake operations while providing broader operational support across the Production department. This role plays a key part in ensuring production efficiency, quality, workplace safety, and the achievement of operational objectives.

The Assistant Production Manager will provide hands-on leadership to production personnel, support supervisors in addressing operational challenges, coordinate resources and production priorities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with the Production Manager and cross-functional teams, this role will support workforce development, production planning, and the effective execution of manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations & Continuous Improvement

- Support production supervisors in addressing daily operational challenges and provide recommendations and solutions to minimize production downtime.
- Monitor departmental performance and production progress, proactively identifying and escalating operational challenges to the Production Manager.
- Collaborate with internal teams and coordinate resources to resolve departmental issues and minimize operational disruptions.
- Identify workflow inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, providing recommendations and supporting implementation.
- Coordinate continuous improvement initiatives across production departments, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion.
- Coordinate 5S implementation across departments to ensure alignment, communication, and operational effectiveness.

Laser & Brake Operations

- Serve as the primary lead for Laser & Brake operations, providing day-to-day leadership, direction, and operational oversight.
- Coordinate daily and weekly production schedules, ensuring production priorities and operational objectives are achieved.
- Monitor workflow, assign priorities, and coordinate labour and equipment requirements to meet daily production targets.
- Monitor production progress against established schedules and proactively address scheduling conflicts, delays, and operational challenges.
- Coordinate material requirements for daily production, resolve shortages, and work closely with Purchasing to ensure material availability.
- Communicate quality requirements across production teams and ensure compliance with established quality standards.
- Identify, escalate, and address new and recurring quality issues, including defects, rework, and process inefficiencies.
- Coordinate quality-related rework and corrective actions to minimize production disruptions and improve product quality.




- Coordinate equipment and maintenance priorities based on production requirements.
- Monitor outstanding maintenance requests and coordinate preventive maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime.

Workforce Management & People Development

- Provide hands-on leadership, direction, and support to Laser & Brake Operators to promote accountability, productivity, and team performance.
- Support the Production Manager in coaching, mentoring, and developing production supervisors to strengthen leadership capabilities and operational performance.
- Coordinate staffing requirements and support recruitment activities to ensure adequate workforce coverage.
- Provide guidance to supervisors on personnel matters, including performance management, employee development, and workplace concerns.
- Identify and coordinate employee training and development opportunities, including cross-training initiatives to improve workforce flexibility.
- Monitor employee attendance, address concerns, and provide guidance to supervisors on attendance management, coaching, and corrective actions.
- Review, manage, and approve employee timecards and time-off requests to ensure accuracy, policy compliance, and adequate staffing coverage.
- Serve as the secondary point of contact for production operations, providing guidance and supporting operational decision-making in the Production Manager's absence.

Health & Safety

- Coordinate workplace safety incident investigations, collaborating with production supervisors and internal teams to review findings and recommend corrective actions.
- Monitor and follow up on safety-related corrective actions to ensure timely completion.
- Coordinate required safety training and workplace inspections across production departments.
- Identify and address recurring workplace safety concerns and recommend preventive measures.
- Promote and enforce protected work practices, procedures, and compliance with workplace safety requirements across production operations.

Parts Shipping & Delivery

- Coordinate production schedules and shipping priorities to ensure production timelines and delivery deadlines are met.
- Monitor job completion dates and shipping readiness to support timely order fulfillment.
- Communicate critical delivery requirements, priorities, and potential delays to supervisors and internal teams.
- Identify opportunities to improve shipping processes and implement recommendations to enhance operational efficiency.

General Responsibilities

- Demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety by following safe work practices, identifying hazards, and reporting concerns promptly.
- Comply with Company policies, programs, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- Post-secondary education in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.




- A combination of relevant education, technical training, and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will be considered in lieu of formal post-secondary education.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in an industrial manufacturing or production environment, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
- Experience in metal fabrication, including laser cutting, press brake operations, or related manufacturing processes, is strongly preferred.
- Technical training or certification in manufacturing processes, production planning, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is an asset.
- Occupational Health and Safety training, including supervisory safety responsibilities, is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills

- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
- Strong knowledge of industrial manufacturing operations, production processes, and workflows.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively at all levels of the organization.
- Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to guide and develop production personnel and supervisors.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions.
- Strong risk assessment and decision-making skills to minimize operational disruptions and maintain efficiency.
- Robust organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- High attention to detail with a commitment to maintaining quality and operational standards.
- Adaptable, resourceful, and proactive, with a willingness to learn and support continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

- This is a Monday to Friday position with work hours aligned to the department's core operating schedule. Overtime, weekend, and statutory holiday work may be required periodically to meet operational demands. Work schedules and hours are subject to production requirements and may be adjusted at management's discretion.
- This role will work a combination of on the production floor (approximately 70%) and in-office (approximately 30%).
- Occasional lifting of up to approximately 50 lbs may be required.
- Required to wear appropriate PPE when entering and working in production areas.

Work Location

7601 MacDonald Road, Delta, BC V4G 1N3

Why Join Us?

At Northwestern Systems Corporation, you'll be part of a forward-thinking organization where innovation, quality, and customer service excellence drive everything we do. We foster a supportive team culture and offer opportunities for career development in a growing company.

Apply Today

If you're a motivated manufacturing professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for operational excellence, continuous improvement, and team development, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your application and take the next step in your career with Northwestern Systems Corporation.

Pay: $80,000.00-$100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match

Work Location: In person

📌 Production Assistant Manager (Delta)
🏢 Northwestern Systems
📍 Delta