Assistant Plant Manager

Position Title: Assistant Plant Manager Location: Arcola IL Starting Pay for position: $115k JOIN OUR TEAM! About Herff Jones: Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 1,400 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones, please visit www.herffjones.com. Your Opportunity: The Herff Jones Cap & Gown team, based in Arcola, IL is looking for an Assistant Plant Manager. Here's How You’ll Make an Impact: Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Assistant Plant Manager will support day-to-day manufacturing and distribution operations for the site. This leader plays a critical role in driving safety, efficiency, and service excellence, particularly during our seasonal peak, while supporting Herff Jones’ mission to be the most trusted name in celebrating student milestones. You will work closely with a team of leaders who take ownership and lead from the front. This role provides opportunities to collaborate across functions, support strategic initiatives, and drive tangible operational results. Operating as a business leader first and a functional leader second will be critical to success. What You’ll Be Doing On A Daily Basis: Partner with the Plant Manager to drive daily EHS risk management and injury prevention initiatives across the site. Work closely with customer service, sales, and operational leaders to manage inventory levels and customer requirements while supporting a balanced scorecard: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost. Support site-level OTD, manufacturing schedule attainment, and adherence to operational targets. Assist the Plant Manager in achieving financial objectives through budgeting, workforce planning, scheduling, and managing seasonal staffing requirements. Provide regular operational updates and metrics to the Plant Manager and other C&G leaders. Actively lead daily walkthroughs, with a strong understanding of critical metrics, performance drivers, and operational troubleshooting. Support continuous professional development and accountability across department leaders. Assist in coordinating day-to-day plant operations, focusing on communication, achieving goals, customer requirements, and scheduling for maximum efficiency and quality. Lead assigned operational projects and continuous improvement initiatives. Other leadership duties as assigned. What You’ll Bring to the Table: 5–7 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, distribution, materials, or a similar function. Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, operations or a related field. Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement efforts with measurable financial impact. Ability to connect with and influence employees at all levels of the organization. Demonstrated success with inventory management and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience supporting budgets, staffing plans, and KPI-driven performance. High level of personal and team accountability. Strong communication and leadership skills; bilingual English/Spanish capabilities a plus. Demonstrated ability to lead effectively in high-pressure environments. Strong sense of urgency and desire to exceed expectations. Experience conducting staffing analysis, managing operational costs, and implementing programs in manufacturing or warehouse environments. Proven ability to execute projects and initiatives with measurable cost and time savings. Physical Requirements: Daily activity includes but is not limited to lifting, carrying, sit…

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