Customization Production Supervisor

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines technical printing expertise with employee supervision, operational oversight, equipment management, and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced production environment. The Customization Production Supervisor oversees daily apparel customization operations, including Direct-to-Film (DTF) and related print production processes, ensuring customer orders are completed accurately, safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Core Supervisor Duties:
  • Supervise and lead employees, ensuring the team meets operational expectations.
  • Interview, hire, train, and support ongoing skill development.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
  • Plan, organize, and monitor individual and team performance, documenting progress or identified development needs.
  • Maintain accurate records and ensure operational documentation is complete.
  • Communicate effectively with employees, leadership, and cross-functional partners.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe work environment.
  • Lead continuous improvement in processes and team operations.
• Production Operations:
  • Oversee daily customization production activities, including production scheduling, workflow coordination, job prioritization, and labor allocation.
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot DTF printers and related customization equipment including heat presses, curing systems, and finishing equipment.
  • Monitor production output to ensure efficiency, accuracy, quality, and on-time shipment of customer orders.
  • Review production schedules and coordinate with customer service, sales, warehouse, and distribution teams to meet operational deadlines.
  • Prepare and manage print files including artwork review, color calibration, layout adjustments, sizing, and print setup.
  • Ensure proper machine setup, maintenance, and cleaning procedures are consistently followed.
  • Coordinate equipment repairs and preventative maintenance to minimize production downtime.
  • Support production planning initiatives to improve throughput, turnaround times, and operational efficiency.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Inspect finished products for print quality, alignment, color accuracy, adhesion, placement, and overall durability.
  • Implement and maintain quality control standards throughout all stages of the customization process.
  • Identify and resolve production defects, print inconsistencies, and rework issues promptly.
  • Ensure customer specifications and branding requirements are consistently met.
  • Monitor quality metrics and recommend corrective actions or process improvements.
• Inventory & Materials Management:
  • Monitor inventory levels for inks, films, powders, apparel blanks, packaging materials, and production supplies.
  • Ensure accurate material usage and inventory control procedures are followed.
  • Assist with ordering, receiving, and tracking customization production supplies.
  • Minimize material waste and identify cost-saving opportunities within the production process.
  • Maintain organized workstations and efficient production flow throughout the department.
• Process Improvement:
  • Identify opportunities to improve productivity, workflow efficiency, print quality, and turnaround times.
  • Recommend and implement process improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational best practices.
  • Assist leadership with developing standardized operating procedures and training documentation.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Production KPI Ownership:
  • On-Time Shipment %
  • Rework %
  • Scrap %
  • Machine Uptime
  • Capacity Planning
  • Forecast labor requirements
  • Balance workloads
  • Production forecasting
• Artwork Approval Process:
  • Verify customer artwork
  • Maintain logo library and inventory
  • Approve production proofs
  • Coordinate artwork revisions
  • Ensure branding compliance
• Cost Control:
  • Ink consumption
  • Film usage
  • Powder usage
  • Waste reduction
  • Labor efficiency
  • Machine utilization
• Safety & Compliance:
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, operational standards, and workplace safety procedures.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment.
  • Promote proper handling and usage of printing equipment, chemicals, inks, and materials.
  • Support compliance with environmental, safety, and operational regulations as applicable.
• Administrative:
  • Utilize Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to prepare documents, manage schedules, create reports, organize data, and support daily departmental operations.
  • Maintain effective email communication by responding promptly to internal and external inquiries.
  • Attend meetings (in-person or via Microsoft Teams), prepare and share documentation as needed.
  • Create, update, and maintain records, spreadsheets, databases, reports, and other office documentation.
  • Communicate professionally with coworkers, leaders, customers, and visitors, both verbally and in writing.
  • Support teamwork by participating in shared projects and contributing to a respectful, collaborative workplace culture.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in production, printing, customization, apparel decoration, or related manufacturing environment.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience preferred.
• Experience operating DTF printers, digital printers, heat transfer equipment, screen print equipment, or similar production machinery strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of color management, print setup, artwork preparation, and production workflow processes.
• Working knowledge of RIP software, graphic file preparation, and print production systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication, leadership, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Production Management, Graphic Design, Manufacturing, Business, or related field.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CADlink, or similar graphic design and RIP software.
• Experience within apparel customization, branded merchandise, promotional products, or industrial print production environments.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.

Working Conditions

This position operates within a fast-paced production and manufacturing environment. Work is performed with material-handling equipment and there is frequent interaction with production equipment, inks, heat presses, and customization machinery.

• Noise levels range from moderate to loud depending on operational activity.
• Employees may work in areas with concrete floors, high-traffic zones, and variable lighting.
• Employees are expected to maintain a clean, safe workspace and follow all company safety policies and operational procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout the production area for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions including bending, reaching, and handling production materials.
• Ability to work safely in a production environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and equipment exposure.
• Visual ability to inspect print quality, alignment, and color accuracy.