Production Assistant

Job DetailsLevel: ManagementJob Location: Phillipsburg, NJ 08865Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $22.00 - $22.00 HourlyTravel Percentage: NoneJob Shift: AnyJob Category: Production OperationsWe grow and sell the world’s BEST Strawberries & our production team is a major reason why

As a Production Assistant, you’ll play a key role in ensuring Oishii’s farm, pack, and shipping operations run efficiently while maintaining our world-class product quality. This is a supervisory position. This role is critical to keeping our farms running efficiently and our plants thriving. You’ll work closely with team members across departments to keep our daily operations organized, productive, and on schedule.

You will support supply management, propagation, and integrated pest management (IPM) activities while working collaboratively with shift managers and the rest of the hourly team.

What you’ll be responsible for:

Refill and restock supplies at farm and pack stations daily. Monitor and anticipate supply and material needs, proactively replenishing stations to prevent workflow interruptions, escalate shortages, and train operators on locating essential materials.
Ensure workstation setup, end of shift cleaning, and pack room sanitation meet required standards. Maintain a clean and organized workspace in compliance with safety and food safety guidelines.
Prepare materials for outgoing shipments. Support shipping prep, palletizing, loading, berry transfer, and related operational workflows.
Refill and prepare fertilizers and beneficial nematodes as needed.
Transfer berry racks from farm to pack and move finished product from pack to CSR.
Conduct and assist with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tasks, including replacing and collecting beneficial insects.
Support plant transfer, propagation, and overall plant health processes in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Understand all SOPs and effectively coach team members through clear communication and demonstration.
Train and mentor new hires, and retain existing team members to ensure adherence to procedures and top-quality outcomes. Escalate training or performance concerns to leadership to ensure quality and productivity standards are met. Conduct daily checks on new and in training operators and report progress to managers. Provide assessments, feedback, and accurate documentation to Shift Managers, AGM and General Manager as requested.
Stay current on training materials and assist with updates and formal training sessions (safety, sanitation, orientation). Assist with training, cross training, and auditing tasks to maintain safe, standardized operations.
Collaborate with shift managers to identify opportunities for process improvement.
Maintain and communicate strong expertise in quality standards, packing procedures, labeling, berry handling, and SKU requirements.

QualificationsWho will love this job: Individuals who identify with our Core Values and exhibit skills within those values will thrive at Oishii. 

One Team, One Fight!

Ability to quickly shift priorities to meet deadlines and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, clearly, concisely and with purpose at various levels of the organization. 
Ability to work cross functionally at all levels including across locations, and collaborate with a focus on supporting & understanding the evolving business needs of a startup environment. 
Ability to lead through others and develop teams with a diverse level of experience to succeed.  


Focus

Ability to remove obstacles in order to prioritize which could include problem solving, working through ambiguity and using fact based or sound judgment in the absence of process or policy. We are building it, but need to manage through the process with good judgment and a bias for action.  
Ability to synthesize information quickly to aid in the troubleshooting process. 


GSD (Get Sh** Done!)

Possessing an entrepreneurial mindset with the tenacity to develop ideas, process, and policy and implement them rapidly.
Capable of prioritizing tasks and  considering the resources available when doing so.
A bias for action! Ability to hold yourself accountable and take ownership of driving results that impact company outcomes.
Track record of effectively handling complex employee relations issues, and addressing sensitive information and difficult situations with tact, discretion, and confidentiality.

What we look for in a Production Assistant:

High School Diploma or GED; 
1-3 years of experience in a production, farming, manufacturing, or warehouse environment, preferably in the food or beverage industry. 
1-3 years of experience working on a quality control or quality assurance team. 
Proficiency with using  technology such as Microsoft Teams, Google Suite, Slack, Asana, etc. 

Additional Details:

Open to and willing to work nonstandard hours such as weekends, evenings, and