Manufacturing Production Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Position Overview

The Production Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily production operations, leading production teams, coordinating schedules, and ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing processes. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance operational demands, workforce planning, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be safety-focused, highly organized, data-driven, and capable of working collaboratively with supervisors and managers across multiple departments. This individual must be comfortable analyzing operational metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement, reducing unnecessary overtime, and developing solutions that improve productivity, employee retention, and overall plant performance.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) is required for this position and is not negotiable. The successful candidate must be able to effectively communicate with employees, supervisors, and leadership in both English and Spanish.

This is not a desk-only leadership position. The Production Supervisor is expected to spend significant time on the production floor working directly with employees, monitoring operations, coaching team members, addressing issues in real time, and supporting daily production activities. Success in this role requires balancing floor presence with administrative, analytical, and planning responsibilities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and coach production team members while fostering a positive, high-performance culture.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, establish clear expectations, and support employee development.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, communication, and employee engagement.
• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor and actively engage with employees throughout the shift.
• Observe workflows, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide real-time coaching and feedback to team members.
• Build positive working relationships with employees while maintaining accountability and performance expectations.
• Partner with supervisors and managers across multiple departments to support operational goals and workforce needs.
• Assist in identifying and addressing attendance, performance, and employee retention concerns.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all workplace safety rules and ensure compliance with OSHA and company standards.
• Conduct regular safety inspections, hazard assessments, and safety training.
• Champion a safety-first culture throughout the facility.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Support return-to-work and employee accommodation programs as needed.

Production Planning, Scheduling & Workforce Management

• Develop and manage production schedules to maximize efficiency and meet customer delivery requirements.
• Balance labor resources, production demands, and material availability to maintain workflow.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules and priorities as needed.
• Analyze labor utilization and staffing levels to optimize workforce efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to reduce overtime while maintaining operational performance and customer commitments.
• Coordinate production activities with warehouse, engineering, quality, maintenance, shipping, and other operational teams.
• Work closely with supervisors across multiple departments to ensure alignment on staffing, production priorities, and operational objectives.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor production processes and finished products to ensure quality standards are met.
• Investigate quality concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and present recommendations to leadership.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, safety, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Utilize operational data and performance metrics to drive decision-making and process improvements.
• Encourage employees to contribute ideas that improve efficiency, quality, safety, and overall workplace performance.
• Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset by proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes, workflows, labor utilization, and plant performance.
• Present improvement ideas, implementation plans, and measurable results to leadership.

Reporting, Analytics & Administrative Responsibilities

• Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, quality, safety, labor utilization, attendance, turnover, and overtime.
• Monitor turnover and attendance trends and develop action plans to improve retention and workforce stability.
• Analyze operational reports and workforce metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain accurate staffing, scheduling, payroll, and timekeeping records.
• Prepare operational reports and communicate updates to leadership.
• Make data-driven recommendations to improve productivity, employee retention, employee engagement, and overall operational performance.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing production schedules, workforce planning, and operational priorities.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives preferred.
• Experience analyzing attendance, turnover, labor utilization, and overtime trends preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple departments and supervisors to achieve operational goals.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Ability to coach, train, mentor, and address employee concerns in both languages.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience interpreting production, attendance, turnover, labor utilization, and overtime reports.
• Ability to identify trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and timekeeping software.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to interpret technical drawings preferred.
• Experience with CNC operations, programming, SolidWorks, or AutoCAD is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Safety-focused and quality-driven.
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Collaborative and team-oriented.
• Reliable, adaptable, and results-driven.
• Comfortable leading from the production floor while balancing administrative responsibilities.
• Passionate about developing people, improving processes, and driving operational excellence.
• Willing to challenge the status quo and proactively recommend improvements that positively impact safety, quality, productivity, and employee retention.

Weller Metalworks is a private equity–backed manufacturing company with operations in the United States and Canada. We specialize in precision metal fabrication, laser cutting, and custom component manufacturing, serving a wide range of industries including industrial, construction, and transportation.

Our growing portfolio includes Muthig Industries, Serra Laser Precision, and Drop Sprockets, which are being consolidated under the Weller Metalworks brand to strengthen capabilities and streamline operations. With headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois, and additional facilities in Wisconsin and British Columbia, Canada, we deliver reliable, high-quality products while focusing on efficiency and innovation.

As a private equity–owned business, Weller Metalworks offers employees the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, growth-focused environment with clear pathways for advancement. We emphasize operational excellence, continuous improvement, and building a strong team culture across our international footprint.