Supervisor, Production

About the Role

The production supervisor is responsible for planning, scheduling, and directing the work efforts of the production operations department to meet and exceed productivity, safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals. The role ensures the department operates according to established company policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coordinate, and monitor daily activities and performance of production associates to ensure high productivity, quality, customer service, and compliance with company policies and safety standards.
• Manage employee performance through motivation, delegation, development, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
• Take corrective action as necessary in a timely manner following company policy.
• Conduct regular department or pre-shift meetings to foster employee engagement, communicate policy changes, address concerns, and encourage idea-sharing for improvement.
• Participate in staff selection, performance evaluations, compensation reviews, corrective actions, and terminations as needed.
• Evaluate and interpret business demand, prioritize daily work assignments, and establish line assignments and staffing based on priority.
• Determine and monitor workstation assignments, associate breaks, and required overtime.
• Meet production goals, quality, and cost objectives.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels in material handling and production areas using a warehouse management system (WMS).
• Review and record all production documentation.
• Participate in the implementation and roll-out of lean principles using 5S, Kaizen, and Kanban methods.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by directing safety training, generating and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOP), and coordinating with the safety department for training, observations, and accident investigations.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• 3-5 years of manufacturing experience.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business documents, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Proficiency in writing reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Effective presentation and instruction skills for management and inter-departmental staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work proactively and constructively with peers and associates from other departments.
• Ability to lead individual and team discussions and meetings.
• Basic arithmetic skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to train department staff in SOPs, safety, and conduct.
• Consistent and timely application of relevant policies.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines, shifting priorities as necessary.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including gathering and analyzing information, developing alternative solutions, and implementing corrective and preventive measures.
• Proactive and critical thinking with a willingness to make decisions.
• Tactful approach to interpersonal interactions.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to learn and apply guest supply technology software and programs (e.g., Warehouse Management System).

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb, or balance.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Primarily works in a manufacturing and warehouse environment with exposure to wet/humid conditions, temperature variations, moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise level and fast-paced environment.
• May be required to use equipment such as scanners, power hand jacks, manual hand jacks, stackers, and forklifts.
• Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, hairnets, and steel-toe boots during operations.
• Travel may be required for company events, staff meetings, or training sessions, including the use of personal vehicles for business travel.
• Must possess a valid state Driver’s License and provide proof of liability coverage meeting company standards.
• May require evening, weekend, or other shift work depending on business needs.