Operations Management Trainee

McIntosh Box and Pallet Company is a leading provider of custom wood packaging solutions specializing in custom crates, pallets and boxes to customers in a variety of industries. With over 60 years of experience, we have built a strong foundation by building relationships, a strong customer service focus, reliability and quality excellence. Our commitment to top quality craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and sustainability allows us to continue to provide new and innovative packaging solutions to our customers. At McIntosh, we foster a collaborative and positive work environment where we encourage our employees to share their ideas and suggestions to help continue our growth and success as a company. As we continue to grow, we are looking for talented and passionate individuals to join our team!

Hours: Monday-Friday 6am-3:00pm ( Hours May Vary Slightly)

Pay Rate : $22-25 based on experience

Job Summary:

The Operations Management Trainee is a ground-up learning opportunity for someone with the potential to grow into plant management or another operations leadership role. Trainees will begin by working hands-on in production to understand how the work is done and what employees experience each day. From that foundation, the trainee will learn equipment, materials, workflow, cut sheets, scheduling, safety, and quality before gradually taking on employee supervision and broader plant responsibilities.

This is a progress-based program rather than a time-based program. Responsibility will increase as the trainee demonstrates knowledge, judgment, and leadership ability. Regular feedback will be provided by the Operations Leader and designated Plant Manager. Readiness for a future role will be based on demonstrated ability, available opportunities, and business need.

Key Responsibilities

Production and Plant Operations

• Begin by working alongside production employees and performing hands-on work to learn plant processes, equipment, materials, workflow, quality expectations, and common operating challenges.

• Learn to read and use cut sheets, work orders, production schedules, and other documents needed to plan and complete work accurately.

• Understand how staffing, equipment availability, raw materials, priorities, and production requirements affect the daily schedule.

• Assist with coordinating production, assigning work, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans when conditions change.

• Learn how inventory, shipping, receiving, maintenance, and office functions support plant performance.

• Identify waste, delays, quality concerns, and other opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and consistency.

Safety, Quality and Accountability

• Learn and reinforce company safety expectations, required procedures, and safe work practices.

• Participate in safety training, job hazard reviews, incident follow-up, and corrective actions as assigned.

• Monitor product quality and production accuracy, address concerns promptly, and follow through on corrective action.

• Demonstrate good judgment, personal accountability, and consistent follow-up in daily decisions.

Business and Administrative Responsibilities

• Learn the plant's key performance measures, including production output, labor, downtime, waste, quality, safety, and on-time completion.

• Assist with staffing plans, timekeeping, employee scheduling, reporting, documentation, and other plant administrative work.

• Understand how plant decisions affect employees, customers, costs, quality, and overall business results.

• Communicate priorities, concerns, and results clearly to plant employees and company leadership.

Cross Plant Learning and Support

• Travel to other company locations for training, temporary assignments, and operational support as needed.

• Learn from different plants and leaders, share effective practices, and adapt to different teams and operating needs.

• Step into increased responsibility when assigned while knowing when to ask questions or escalate a concern.

People Leadership

• Alongside plant management - learn how to set clear expectations, give day-to-day direction, follow up on work, and hold employees accountable in a fair and consistent manner.

• Practice giving timely feedback, recognizing strong performance, addressing concerns, and having direct performance conversations.

• Learn how to train and develop employees, identify skill gaps, and support cross-training and succession needs.

• Build respectful working relationships with employees, supervisors, office staff, and leaders across the company.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest and potential to grow into plant or operations leadership.

• For internal candidates, a strong performance record and demonstrated potential to lead; for external candidates, previous manufacturing or related experience.

• No prior formal management experience is required. Supervisory or team-lead experience is helpful.

• Willingness to work hands-on in production and learn each part of the operation.

• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees and leaders at all levels.

• Fair, consistent, and practical approach to leading people and solving problems.

• Strong reliability, initiative, organization, and follow-through.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel or temporarily work at other company locations.

Work Environment

This role works primarily in an active manufacturing environment and requires regular time on the production floor. The trainee must be able to safely perform hands-on production work, use required personal protective equipment, and work around production equipment, noise, dust, and changing temperatures. Travel and temporary assignments at other company locations will be required based on training and business needs.

Future Opportunities

Demonstrating readiness in this role prepares the trainee to be considered for available Plant Manager positions and other operations leadership opportunities. Placement is not automatic and will depend on sustained performance, demonstrated readiness, business needs, and available openings.