Operations Coordinator

About Bright Endeavors & New Moms
Bright Endeavors is a social enterprise of New Moms, a nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that every young family has the potential to thrive. Through paid job training and holistic support, we partner with young moms as they build strong foundations for their families. Every candle we pour lights the path forward for a brighter future.

Position Summary
The Operations Coordinator helps to ensure the smooth and efficient execution of our candle manufacturing operations. This role works closely with the Operations Manager and collaborates daily with Training and Production Assistants to meet production and quality goals while supporting the success of program participants.

The Operations Coordinator plays an important role in maintaining a productive manufacturing environment while modeling the standards and values of the Bright Endeavors job training program. This position blends hands-on production leadership, quality assurance, and collaboration with program staff to ensure participants gain meaningful work experience while meeting operational goals.

This position is located at Bright Endeavors in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Location: Bright Endeavors (627 N Albany Ave) 

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, M-F 8:30am-4:30pm

Starting Salary: $49,000-$50,000 DOQ

What a Day Might Look Like

Your day will likely begin on the production floor, checking the day’s manufacturing schedule and preparing materials for candle pouring. You’ll work alongside Production Assistants and participants, ensuring recipes, temperatures, and processes are followed to maintain quality and consistency.

Throughout the day, you may move between supervising production tasks, tracking inventory and raw material usage in the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system, and troubleshooting any issues that arise on the production line.

You might collaborate with the workforce development team to support a participant who is learning a new skill, or celebrate a milestone achievement on the production floor. Later, you could help facilitate a brief post-shift reflection or team-building activity that reinforces the job training experience.

No two days are exactly the same, but each day combines hands-on production leadership, coaching, and mission-driven impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily candle production including pouring, finishing, and quality control while ensuring adherence to recipes, equipment standards, and safety procedures


• Supervise Production Assistants and maintain an efficient manufacturing pace to meet daily and weekly production goals


• Track production activity, inventory usage, and performance using the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system


• Ensure product quality standards are met and escalate operational issues as needed


• Monitor and report scrap, damage, and production outcomes


• Cross-train across manufacturing, warehouse, and quality operations, eventually specializing in a key function

• Provide coaching, feedback, and support to Production Assistants


• Partner with workforce development staff to address performance challenges and remove barriers to success


• Facilitate post-shift learning, reflection, and team-building activities that support the job training program


• Provide de-escalation support when needed to maintain a safe and supportive environment

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are:

• Energized by hands-on work in a fast-paced production environment


• Highly organized and attentive to quality, safety, and process consistency


• Comfortable leading and coaching others while working alongside them


• A strong communicator who can collaborate across teams


• Calm and thoughtful when navigating challenges or conflict


• Passionate about social enterprise, workforce development, and creating opportunities for young families


• Someone who enjoys improving systems and keeping operations running smoothly

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR High school diploma or equivalent with five (5) years of related experience required

• Experience working in manufacturing, production, or warehouse operations


• Experience using MRP or inventory management systems preferred


• Experience in social enterprise or workforce development environments preferred

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills


• Ability to work effectively in a physically active, fast-paced environment


• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict management skills


• Experience coaching or supporting young adults preferred


• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and cloud-based communication tools preferred

Other Requirements

• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and insurance; Daily access to a reliable vehicle


• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed

Work Environment: This position requires the ability to stand or sit for up to eight hours, walk up and down stairs, and lift or move items up to 50–60 pounds (or perform these tasks with reasonable accommodation). The production environment may include varying noise levels and temperature conditions typical of a manufacturing setting.

Benefits & Perks: We care about the well-being of our team and are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with generous employer contribution


• Dental and vision insurance


• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)


• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance – 100% employer-paid


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling and resources


• Generous paid time off, as well as 15 paid holidays and half days on Fridays during the


• summer


• 403b retirement plan with employer match


• Pre-tax transportation benefits


• Professional development support


• Free spiritual direction services