Assist Production Manager

Assistant Production Manager

Hounen Solar America Inc.

Orangeburg, SC

Full-Time, On-Site

About the Role

Hounen Solar America Inc. is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to support daily manufacturing operations and help achieve production targets, quality standards, safety requirements, and staffing objectives.

This role provides leadership across production shifts, with a strong focus on coaching supervisors, improving operational efficiency, maintaining employee accountability, and applying company policies consistently. The Assistant Production Manager works closely with Human Resources, Quality, Maintenance, Training, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

The position also offers structured leadership development to prepare for potential advancement into a Production Manager role, based on performance, business needs, and management approval.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations

• Support daily production activities across assigned shifts and production areas.
• Monitor production output, efficiency, downtime, scrap, and quality performance.
• Identify production bottlenecks and coordinate corrective actions.
• Ensure staffing, materials, equipment, and resources support production schedules.
• Conduct production floor walkthroughs, coordinate shift handoffs, and communicate performance results.

Team Leadership and Employee Accountability

• Directly lead, coach, and evaluate assigned Production Supervisors and other designated production personnel.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, communication, attendance, and policy compliance.
• Address inconsistencies in supervisory practices across shifts.
• Partner with HR on employee concerns, investigations, performance issues, and corrective actions.
• Promote respectful communication, fair treatment, and confidentiality.

Workforce Planning and Scheduling

• Support staffing plans and coordinate scheduling and coverage across all four shifts.
• Monitor absenteeism, vacancies, overtime, and workforce utilization.
• Review overtime needs and ensure established authorization procedures are followed.
• Partner with HR and Payroll to resolve timekeeping discrepancies.
• Support recommendations for employee transfers, promotions, and staffing adjustments.

Training and Leadership Development

• Partner with HR and the Technical Trainer to identify training needs.
• Ensure employees complete job-specific training, competency assessments, and required qualifications.
• Support standardized work instructions, cross-training, and employee development.
• Identify and develop employees for Team Leader, Supervisor, and management opportunities.

Quality, Safety, and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Work with Quality, Maintenance, and EHS to resolve defects, equipment downtime, production disruptions, and safety concerns.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve productivity, and strengthen manufacturing processes.
• Maintain housekeeping and workstation organization standards.

Management Support

• Support the Production Manager with operational planning, departmental priorities, and improvement initiatives.
• Serve as acting Production Manager when designated.
• Maintain accurate documentation and follow through on operational commitments.

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive manufacturing or production leadership experience.
• At least 2 years of direct supervisory or management experience.
• Experience managing production teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of production scheduling, workforce planning, quality control, safety, and operational performance management.
• Experience coaching supervisors, managing employee performance, and administering workplace policies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing reporting systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and shifts.
• Flexibility to support occasional evenings, weekends, and shift coverage based on operational needs.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in solar panel manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or another highly regulated or process-driven manufacturing environment.
• Experience overseeing multiple shifts or large production teams.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience developing supervisors and supporting succession planning.
• Experience working with multicultural or multilingual leadership teams.
• Familiarity with timekeeping, labor utilization, production KPIs, and employee performance management systems.

Work Environment

• Active manufacturing environment requiring extended periods of standing and walking.
• Use of required personal protective equipment.
• Flexibility to respond to operational issues across multiple shifts.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Information

This description summarizes the general responsibilities and qualifications of the position. Duties may change based on business needs and applicable law.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person