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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Industry Supervisor (Manufacturing & Production)

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

ManufacturingProductionLeadershipOperations ManagementIndustrial

🎯 Role Definition

As an Industry Supervisor, you are the frontline leader responsible for translating strategic operational goals into tangible daily results on the production floor. You will orchestrate the activities of your team, championing a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This role requires a hands-on leader who can motivate, train, and guide production staff while managing resources, schedules, and processes to optimize efficiency and output. You are the critical link between management and the workforce, ensuring clear communication and alignment to achieve key business objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Production Operator / Machine Operator
  • Production Team Lead
  • Quality Assurance Technician
  • Maintenance Technician with leadership aptitude

Advancement To:

  • Operations Manager
  • Plant Superintendent
  • Continuous Improvement Manager
  • Value Stream Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Supervisor
  • Maintenance Supervisor
  • Supply Chain & Logistics Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management to a team of 15-30 production employees, fostering a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment.
  • Develop and execute daily production plans and schedules to meet output targets, ensuring optimal allocation of labor, equipment, and materials.
  • Champion a world-class safety culture by strictly enforcing all company safety protocols and OSHA regulations, conducting regular safety audits, and leading incident investigations to implement corrective actions.
  • Drive quality assurance initiatives by ensuring all products meet stringent quality specifications, monitoring in-process quality checks, and collaborating with the QA department to resolve any non-conformance issues.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap rates, labor efficiency, and on-time delivery.
  • Lead daily team huddles and shift-change meetings to communicate goals, provide performance feedback, and address any operational challenges in real-time.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and lower production costs.
  • Manage employee training and development, ensuring all team members are cross-trained and possess the necessary skills to perform their duties safely and effectively.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and administer disciplinary action in accordance with company policy and procedures.
  • Collaborate with the maintenance department to coordinate preventative maintenance schedules and address urgent equipment breakdowns to minimize unplanned downtime.
  • Maintain accurate production records, timekeeping, and inventory data within the company's ERP or MRP system.
  • Manage operational budgets for the assigned shift or department, controlling overtime, supply usage, and other variable costs.
  • Resolve employee conflicts and grievances promptly and professionally, escalating to Human Resources when necessary.
  • Ensure the production area is maintained in a clean, organized, and audit-ready state at all times, adhering to 5S principles.
  • Facilitate the onboarding and integration of new hires, providing them with the foundational knowledge and support needed for success.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for any production-related issues or emergencies during the shift, making critical decisions to ensure operational continuity.
  • Support new product introduction (NPI) processes by providing valuable feedback on manufacturability and preparing the team for production ramp-ups.
  • Investigate and prepare detailed reports on production variances, safety incidents, and quality deviations, presenting findings and action plans to management.
  • Motivate and empower the team to take ownership of their work, encouraging suggestions for process improvements and innovation from the floor.
  • Ensure seamless shift handovers by communicating critical information regarding production status, equipment issues, and personnel matters to the incoming supervisor.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify trends in production performance.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader operational strategy and annual planning roadmap.
  • Collaborate with engineering and R&D units to translate new product needs into scalable manufacturing processes.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for cross-functional improvement projects.
  • Assist the supply chain team in managing raw material inventory levels and flow to the production line.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma: Proven ability to apply principles like 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis to drive improvements.
  • ERP/MRP Systems: Proficiency with enterprise resource planning software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for production scheduling and inventory management.
  • Safety & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of OSHA standards and experience implementing safety management systems (e.g., Lockout/Tagout, machine guarding).
  • Quality Control Methodologies: Understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC), non-conformance reporting, and quality assurance best practices.
  • Production Planning & Scheduling: Skill in creating and adjusting production schedules to balance demand, capacity, and resource availability.
  • KPI Management & Reporting: Ability to track, analyze, and report on key operational metrics to measure performance and guide decisions.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for data analysis, reporting, and presentations.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Motivation: Inspiring and guiding a diverse team towards a common goal, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Ability to rapidly assess complex situations, identify root causes, and implement effective, sustainable solutions under pressure.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for conveying clear direction, reporting to management, and facilitating team meetings.
  • Conflict Resolution: Adept at mediating disputes and resolving interpersonal conflicts within the team in a fair and constructive manner.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and maintaining composure and effectiveness in the face of unexpected challenges.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Juggling multiple competing priorities, from urgent production issues to long-term improvement projects, without losing focus.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Operations Management
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Business Administration
  • Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or distribution environment, including at least 2 years in a direct leadership capacity (Team Lead, Supervisor).

Preferred:

  • Experience in a specific industry (e.g., automotive, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, aerospace) is highly advantageous.
  • A proven track record of leading continuous improvement initiatives with documented results.
  • Experience working in a unionized environment is a plus.
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