Purpose
The Production Supervisor is responsible for leading safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing operations within their assigned department(s) or shift(s). Reporting to the Operations Manager, this role oversees day-to-day production activities, ensures adherence to quality and process standards, and drives productivity, cost control, and employee engagement. The Production Supervisor leads through frontline supervision and/or department leads and is accountable for achieving operational targets while fostering a safe, respectful, and high-performing work environment.
Essential Job Functions
Safety & Compliance Leadership
- Lead and promote a strong safety culture; ensure compliance with all company safety policies and legal requirements.
- Maintain a safe, injury-free work environment through training, coaching, and enforcement of safe work practices.
- Ensure employees are properly trained in safety procedures and maintain consistent housekeeping standards.
Production & Process Execution
- Plan, organize, and supervise daily production activities in accordance with schedules, customer requirements, and capacity.
- Ensure adherence to process control procedures, operating instructions, and quality control requirements.
- Monitor throughput, earned hours, and productivity targets to meet or exceed budgeted performance.
- Maintain process control and operational discipline within assigned areas of responsibility.
People Leadership & Employee Relations
- Lead, coach, and develop employees to improve performance, engagement, and accountability.
- Address employee issues through effective problem resolution and consistent application of company policies.
- Conduct performance evaluations and recommend pay adjustments, promotions, transfers, and corrective actions in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
- Interview, select, and recommend candidates for hire; maintain adequate staffing to support production needs.
Continuous Improvement & Financial Awareness
- Develop and involve employees in initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, and morale.
- Apply lean manufacturing, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and other continuous improvement principles within the department.
- Participate in annual budget planning for assigned areas and manage operations to meet monthly financial targets.
- Utilize financial, production, and inventory data to support decision-making and operational improvements.
General
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support quality and business objectives.
Preferred Education And Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college-level coursework or technical training in manufacturing, business, accounting, mathematics, or statistics.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business.
- Demonstrated experience supervising employees in a manufacturing environment.
- Fundamental knowledge of manufacturing processes and process control.
- Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and continuous improvement concepts.
- Basic financial and budgeting acumen, including earned hours, labor efficiency, and cost awareness.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead people, drive results through others, and adapt to changing operational needs.
- Proficiency with computer systems including spreadsheets, production tracking, inventory, and planning tools.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to move throughout production, warehouse, and office environments.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on the production floor.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, heat, and moving equipment.