Production Supervisor (Manufacturing Supervisor) is a skilled professional who oversees and coordinates the daily operations of a manufacturing or industrial setting. These individuals primarily ensure that production processes are safe, efficient, and meet quality standards. The profession requires certain qualifications such as education, experience, skills, certification, etc. The job role of a production supervisor may vary depending on the specific industry and company. In this article, read in detail all about the production supervisor job description.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Educational Qualifications
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Production Equipment
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Requirements
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Production Supervisor Levels
Some common levels include-
- Entry-Level Production Supervisor
- Lead Production Supervisor
- Senior Production Supervisor
- Production Manager/Production Superintendent
- Plant/Operations Manager
Educational Qualifications
Typical education requirements include-
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate’s Degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Operations Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration
- Industry-Specific Certifications-
-Certified Production Technician (CPT)
-Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT)
Course Types
Some common courses types include-
- Leadership and Supervisory Skills Courses
- Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Courses
- Occupational Health and Safety Courses
- Production Management Courses
- Professional Development Programs
- Technical Skills and Industry-Specific Courses
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) – by APICS
- Certified Manufacturing Technician (CMT) – by MSSC
- Certified Production Technician (CPT) – by MSSC
- Lean Six Sigma Certifications
- Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) – by the American Society for Quality (ASQ)
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) – by ISM
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Cross-Functional Collaboration Experience
- Experience as Production Operator/Technician
- Experience as Team Lead/Shift Supervisor
- Experience in Leadership/Supervisory Roles
- Process Improvement/Lean Manufacturing Experience
- Quality Control/Quality Assurance Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Adjust production schedules as necessary
- Collaborate with other departments
- Collaborate with the inventory/materials management team
- Collect/analyze production data
- Ensure the availability of equipment, materials, and resources
- Ensure compliance with company policies, and safety regulations
- Foster a positive/productive work environment
- Identify opportunities for process improvement
- Implement/enforce quality control measures
- Implement corrective actions and improvement initiatives
- Maintain effective communication with other departments
- Manage/provide leadership to production staff
- Monitor production output/efficiency
- Oversee daily production activities
- Perform equipment maintenance/troubleshooting
Production Equipment
Some common production equipment includes-
Manufacturing Machinery-
- CNC Machines (Computer Numerical Control)
- Cutting Machines
- Extrusion Machines
- Injection Molding Machines
- Presses
- Welding Machines
Conveyors/Material Handling Equipment-
- Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVS)
- Belt Conveyors
- Forklifts and Pallet Jacks
- Robotic Arms
- Roller Conveyors
Packaging Equipment-
- Filling Machines
- Labeling Machines
- Sealing Machines
- Wrapping Machines
Inspection/Testing Equipment-
- Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
- Testing Equipment
- Vision Inspection Systems
Control Systems/Instrumentation-
- Data Acquisition Systems
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMIS)
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCS)
- Sensors and Transducers
Abilities/Skills
Some essential skills include-
- Analytical Skills
- Decision-Making Skills
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Principles
- Knowledge of Production Processes
- Leadership/Team Management Skills
- Planning/Organization Skills
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Safety Awareness
- Technical Competency
- Understanding of Quality Management
Work Environment
Some common work conditions include-
- Handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Handle stress, and remain calm under pressure
- Interact with various stakeholders
- May travel occasionally
- May need to make quick decisions
- Play a critical role in enforcing safety protocols
- Typically work in manufacturing or production facilities
- Work in an environment with constant machine noise
Physical Requirements
Some potential physical demands include-
- Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- May involve prolonged periods of standing/walking
- May need to climb stairs or ladders
- May need to handle or move objects/equipment
- Need to perform physical inspections
- Often need to move around the production setting
Top Industries
Some common job places include-
- Assembly Lines
- Chemical/Petrochemical Plants
- Electronics/Technology Manufacturing Facilities
- Food/Beverage Production Facilities
- Industrial Plants
- Manufacturing Facilities
- Medical Device Production Plants
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities
- Renewable Energy Facilities
- Textile Mills/Garment Manufacturing Facilities
- Warehouses/Distribution Centers
Job Types
Some common job titles include-
- Assembly Supervisor
- Lean Manufacturing Supervisor
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Manufacturing Supervisor
- Operations Supervisor
- Packaging Supervisor
- Production Line Supervisor
- Quality Control Supervisor
- Shift Supervisor
- Warehouse Supervisor
Salary Information
The average hourly salary of a Production Supervisor is $22.48 in the United States. The salary can vary depending on factors like education, certification, skills, experience, company size, and location. The highest hourly paying cities are Industry ($23.87), Atlanta ($23.59), Dallas ($23.48), and Chicago ($23.35).
The following are approximate salary ranges for Production Supervisors.
- Hourly Wage – $17 to $35
- Monthly Salary – $3,500 to $6,500
- Yearly Salary – $45,000 to $85,000 or more
These salary figures are just estimates and actual salary may vary based on multiple factors.
Benefits/Perks
The most common benefits include-
| 401(k) Plan | Opportunities for Advancement |
| 401(k) Matching | Paid Time Off |
| AD&D Insurance | Parental Leave |
| Dental Insurance | Professional Development Assistance |
| Disability Insurance | Profit Sharing |
| Employee Assistance Program | Referral Program |
| Employee Discount | Relocation Assistance |
| Flexible Spending Account | Retirement Plan |
| Health Insurance | Store Discount |
| Health Savings Account | Tuition Reimbursement |
| Life Insurance | Vision Insurance |
Summary
Production Supervisors play a crucial role in overseeing and managing production operations in various industries. Primarily, they focus on ensuring efficiency, quality, and productivity in the manufacturing process. They work in assembly lines, industrial plants, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other production environments. The profession requires certain qualifications and experiences including leadership skills, technical knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. Overall, Production Supervisors ensure efficient production processes, meet production targets, and maintain quality standards.
