Careers

Frost River has been a staple in Duluth manufacturing for over two decades. We are a small business in the outdoor industry located at the heart of the Lincoln Park Craft District. Here at Frost River, staff members take great pride in manufacturing canoe packs, daypacks, shoulder bags, briefcases and more.

Primarily we utilize waxed canvas, leather, and solid brass hardware to craft our softgoods, but we also have other contract manufacturing opportunities with like-minded local businesses. This enables us to offer projects that help develop a wide range of skills.

It is of utmost importance to us to provide customers with a great product and offer top-notch services to our accounts. We recognize we can only do that if we are a great employer. Our success is driven by the success of our employees.

Core Values of the Frost River work culture:

Inclusivity- Make a difference as a team, work collaboratively and support others in growth and development. The Frost River team is made up of a diverse group of individuals, all with differing experience levels.

Balance- We understand that the key to success is a healthy work/life balance. While there are opportunities for over-time shifts, we have never required mandatory overtime. Find our PTO and paid holiday information in the benefits package listed below.

Development- We are looking for individuals that want to grow with us. We want your feedback and perspective as we refine our approach to achieving every level of manufacturing efficiency.

Sewing technicians are each assigned their own workstation within our production facility. We have two different sewing floors and maintain an atmosphere that fosters teamwork, teachable moments, and collaboration to help team members develop the necessary skills for the job.

• Be able to operate, or be willing to learn, a variety of sewing machines, including sergers, tackers, binders, as well as single and double stitch machines

• Work with a sense of urgency while possessing an eye for detail

• Work both independently and as a member of a team to produce quality top-quality goods in a timely manner

• Be on time, dependable, and possess a positive attitude

• Assist in the training and support of new staff members

Position Overview

Frost River is looking for a highly organized, self-directed Senior Production Coordinator to help lead the day-to-day flow of work through our manufacturing operation. Working directly with the Vice President, this position helps develop and implement the production schedule while ensuring product builds move efficiently from raw materials and cutting through sewing, finishing, quality, and completion.

This role serves as a central link between the different areas of production. On any given day, the Senior Production Coordinator may be tracking several builds at different stages, identifying what needs to happen next, directing priorities to the appropriate teams, updating manufacturing orders in Katana MRP, purchasing materials, and stepping onto the production floor to help keep work moving.

This position requires someone who can work autonomously and think several steps ahead. While the Vice President will help establish the broader production schedule and business priorities, the Senior Production Coordinator is responsible for helping turn that plan into action each day. The right person can remember where multiple builds stand at once, recognize potential bottlenecks before they become problems, and continually look ahead at what is coming down the production pipeline.

This is a fast-paced, hands-on position for someone who enjoys the combination of planning, problem-solving, communication, and manufacturing—and doesn't want to spend the entire day behind a desk.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

· Work directly with the Vice President to develop and implement the production schedule, translating broader production goals into clear daily and weekly priorities.

· Maintain awareness of multiple active builds at different stages of production, while looking ahead to ensure upcoming builds have the materials, kits, labor, and information needed to begin on time.

· Coordinate the flow of work across production departments, pushing Cutting/Kitting to complete the right kits and communicating priorities to Sewing, Finishing, Quality, and other production areas.

· Identify bottlenecks, changing priorities, material shortages, or equipment issues and proactively coordinate solutions to keep production moving.

· Lead the day-to-day use of Katana MRP, including generating and updating Manufacturing Orders, maintaining build statuses, reviewing inventory needs, and keeping Bill of Materials and production information accurate.

· Oversee raw material purchasing and manufacturing inventory, including purchase orders, receiving, inventory levels and vendor communication.

· Review labor and production data to identify build efficiencies and opportunities to improve manufacturing processes.

· Coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance for sewing machines, tackers, cutting equipment, and other production machinery.

· Support contract manufacturing and special projects, incorporating these builds into overall production priorities.

· Provide hands-on support throughout production when needed to eliminate bottlenecks, solve problems, and help priority builds move through the system.

· Communicate production changes, priorities, and concerns clearly across departments and serve as a resource for production staff regarding scheduling, materials, and Manufacturing Orders.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous manufacturing, production coordination, operations, inventory, or supply chain experience is preferred, but not required

• Experience with an MRP, ERP, inventory management, or similar production system is preferred; experience with Katana MRP is a plus.

• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software and systems.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to prioritize independently in a fast-changing production environment.

• Ability to retain and manage information related to multiple active projects and builds simultaneously.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Comfortable providing direction and communicating production priorities to coworkers across departments.

• Ability and willingness to work in both an office/computer environment and directly on the manufacturing floor.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stretch, twist, and reach throughout the workday.

Ability to safely lift and move production materials and supplies.

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Overtime: Opportunities may be available on weekends.

About the Role

Frost River is a fast-paced manufacturer where people take pride in the goods they create and the work that goes into making them. Our products are built right here in Duluth by a team that values craftsmanship, hard work, and seeing a job through from start to finish.

We are a team of doers. We put our heads down, work hard, solve problems, and take satisfaction in what we accomplish together each day. People who enjoy staying busy, taking ownership, learning new skills, and wearing many hats tend to flourish here.

The Senior Production Coordinator sits at the center of that environment. You'll need to understand what is happening throughout production without being directly involved in every task. At any given time, one build may need kits from the basement, another may need to be prioritized through Sewing, and a third may be waiting on Finishing—all while you're preparing for the builds scheduled to begin next.

Success in this role means being able to see both the big picture and the details. You'll help establish the plan, but more importantly, you'll make sure the plan actually happens. When priorities change or a bottleneck develops, you'll be expected to recognize it, communicate what needs to happen, and help move the team toward a solution.

This is an ideal position for someone who gets satisfaction from a busy, productive day; enjoys having significant ownership over their work; and likes seeing raw materials turn into finished goods because they helped keep every step of the process moving.

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee discount

Health insurance

Health savings account

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Overtime: Opportunities may be available on weekends.

Frost River is an equal opportunity employer.

Retail Associate – Part-Time Regular or Seasonal

Classification: Part-Time Regular or Seasonal, Hourly

Pay: $14.00–$15.00 per hour

Schedule: Approximately 10–24 hours per week, Monday–Sunday availability; weekend availability required

Position Overview

Frost River is looking for a friendly, dependable Retail Associate to join our team at our flagship store and workshop in Duluth's Lincoln Park Craft District.

Frost River is proudly an American manufacturer. We make waxed canvas and leather packs, bags, luggage, and accessories designed for everyday use and getting outdoors. Best of all, our products are made right here in Duluth—giving our Retail Associates the unique opportunity to sell products made just steps away from the store.

Retail Associates are responsible for creating a welcoming and helpful experience for everyone who walks through our doors. You'll greet customers, learn about Frost River products, help shoppers find the right gear, process purchases, and keep the store organized, stocked, and ready for customers.

But retail at Frost River goes beyond working the sales floor. Team members also help fulfill online orders, receive and restock merchandise, maintain the store, and occasionally lend a hand with light production or assembly work. Everyone wears a few hats here, and we're looking for someone who is happy to pitch in wherever they're needed.

Previous retail experience is helpful, but we're happy to train someone with the right attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Welcome customers and provide friendly, genuine, and knowledgeable service throughout their visit.

• Learn the Frost River product line, materials, manufacturing story, and product features to help customers select the right gear for their needs.

• Operate the point-of-sale system and accurately process purchases, returns, exchanges, and other customer transactions.

• Maintain a clean, organized, well-stocked, and inviting retail environment, including restocking merchandise and maintaining displays.

• Fulfill, pack, and ship e-commerce orders accurately and with care.

Complete daily opening, closing, cleaning, and store upkeep responsibilities.

• Assist with receiving, organizing, and stocking Frost River products and third-party retail merchandise.

• Provide occasional support with light production, product assembly, or other projects as needed.

• Communicate customer questions, product needs, inventory concerns, and other store issues to the Retail Coordinator.

• Pitch in wherever needed to support the Retail Team and provide a great customer experience.

A successful Retail Associate will be:

Friendly & Approachable: Enjoys interacting with people and helping customers feel comfortable and welcome.

Dependable: Arrives on time, maintains reliable attendance, and follows through on assigned responsibilities.

Eager to Learn: Interested in learning about Frost River products, how they're made, and the stories behind them.

Helpful: Looks for what needs to be done rather than waiting to be asked for every task.

Detail-Oriented: Takes pride in keeping the store organized and completing customer orders accurately.

Comfortable Staying Busy: Enjoys a workday that may include customer service, stocking, online fulfillment, cleaning, and other projects.

A Team Player: Willing to jump in and help coworkers when priorities change or the store gets busy.

A Strong Communicator: Able to communicate clearly and professionally with customers and coworkers.

Qualifications

• Previous retail or customer service experience is not required.

• Basic computer skills and comfort learning point-of-sale, e-commerce, and other retail systems.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with customers and coworkers.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and shift priorities throughout the workday.

• Weekend availability is required.

• Ability to stand and move throughout the store for extended periods.

• Ability to bend, reach, carry, and safely lift merchandise or packages weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

About the Role

At Frost River, craftsmanship doesn't end at the workshop door—it extends into how we welcome customers and represent the products we make. We take the same pride in maintaining our store and serving our customers that our production team takes in building the packs on our shelves.

We're a team of doers. Frost River is a fast-paced environment where people stay busy, wear many hats, and pitch in to get the job done. One part of your shift might be spent helping someone choose a pack for an upcoming trip, while another could involve packing online orders, restocking the sales floor, cleaning up a display, or helping with a project behind the scenes.

Because our store is connected directly to our manufacturing operation, you'll also have an opportunity to learn how Frost River products are actually made. That firsthand knowledge helps our Retail Team tell the Frost River story and provide customers with a level of product knowledge and authenticity that's difficult to find in a traditional retail environment.

You don't need to arrive knowing everything about Frost River or have years of retail experience. We're looking for someone who is friendly, reliable, curious, and willing to work. This is a great opportunity for someone beginning their retail career or anyone who enjoys working with people and wants to be part of a small, hardworking team.

Job Type: Part-Time Regular or Seasonal

Hours: Approximately 10–24 hours per week

Schedule: Flexible Monday–Sunday scheduling (store hours daily: 10am-6pm); weekend availability required

Pay: $14.00–$15.00 per hour

Pay Frequency: Biweekly

Work Location: In person

Benefits: Employee discount