Assembly Shop Supervisor

British Engines; Bishop Auckland; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Bishop Auckland seeks an Assembly Supervisor to lead assembly operations and drive a process-driven culture. The ideal candidate has supervisory experience in precision engineering, demonstrating strong people management and HSE skills. Responsibilities include overseeing daily assembly activities, leading a team, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. This role is key to maintaining production quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experienced supervisor from a precision engineering/manufacturing background.
• Knowledgeable with ERP and production reporting.
• Ability to balance lines and plan capacity/labor.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day assembly activities.
• Coach and motivate a multi-skilled assembly team.
• Ensure compliance with HSE policies.

Skills

Leadership

Lean tools

People management

Problem-solving

HSE compliance

Education

Management/leadership qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

As Assembly Supervisor, you will lead the assembly operation to maximize safe, right-first-time output to plan and build a process-driven culture, reduce variation, and drive daily improvements using people, processes, and systems to deliver short and medium-term goals.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day assembly activities.
• Lead daily SQDCP meetings; track and close actions.
• Ensure standard work, SOPs, test procedures, and traceability are followed in every cell.
• Coordinate with Planning and Stores/Logistics to secure materials, resolve shortages and constraints.
• Support changeovers, first-off/last-off approvals, and problem-solving to minimize downtime, rework, and waste.
• Maintain 5S and visual management.
• Log/escalate equipment, tooling, and fixture issues; work with Production Engineering on PPM for assembly/test equipment.
• Provide operational input to NPI, ECN/routing changes, and CI initiatives.

People Management

• Lead, coach, and motivate a multi-skilled assembly team.
• Manage attendance and control overtime in line with plan and budget.
• Maintain a current skills/competency matrix.
• Foster clear communication and a problem-solving culture.
• Apply company policies consistently; address performance/behavior issues promptly with HR support.

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)

• Ensure full compliance with HSE policies and safe systems of work.
• Lead toolbox talks, point-of-work risk assessments, and interventions.
• Support investigations, audits, and timely completion of corrective actions.
• Verify guarding, lifting aids, and PPE are in place and used correctly.

Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure in-process checks, functional tests, first/last-off inspections, and accurate ERP/QMS documentation/traceability.
• Capture and use data to highlight trends and contain non-conformances.
• Partner with Quality on root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Create/update SOPs, standard work, visual aids, and inspection sheets.
• Lead small CI events.

Requirements

We are looking for an experienced supervisor from a precision engineering/manufacturing background with experience of leading a shop-floor team, balancing lines, and planning capacity/labor at cell level. You will be able to demonstrate the use of lean tools and strong HSE ownership along with effective people management skills.

You will be knowledgeable with ERP and production reporting, with the ability to interpret data to prioritize actions and make sound, practical decisions.

You'll be a visible, fair leader who is organized and results-oriented with high attention to detail and compliance. Calm and adaptable under pressure, you will have the ability to communicate clearly, motivate others, and bring a proactive, positive mindset.

A management/leadership qualification is preferred; IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH General Certificate is an advantage (or a willingness to obtain).