How to Be Production Supervisor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 13, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The lack of a Production Supervisor can have a significant effect on the production process. Without an experienced supervisor to manage workflow, delegate tasks, and solve issues quickly, production lines can become disorganized and inefficient. This can lead to delays in production, increased costs, and decreased productivity.

without a supervisor, production staff may lack clear direction, resulting in poor quality and safety standards. To avoid these issues, companies need to ensure that they have an experienced Production Supervisor who can effectively manage production operations and ensure high quality standards are met.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. A bachelor's degree in operations management, industrial engineering, business administration, or a related field is usually required for a production supervisor position. Students can expect to learn principles of management, engineering, and finance.
Gain Experience. Many employers prefer production supervisors to have some prior work experience in a related field. Applicants can gain experience through internships or by working in production, operations, or management support roles.
Pursue Certifications. Earning a professional certification can help demonstrate an applicant's knowledge and commitment to a specific career. Some manufacturers offer their own certifications, while other certifications are offered by independent organizations such as the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).
Develop Leadership Skills. Production supervisors must be able to lead and motivate their team to ensure that production goals are met. Leadership skills can be developed through classes, workshops, and on-the-job experience.
Obtain Safety Certification. Many employers require production supervisors to have safety certification from an organization such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Apply for Job Openings. Production supervisors can search for job openings on job boards, company websites, or in trade publications. Applicants should be prepared to provide a resume, references, and any relevant certifications when applying for positions.

The quality of a production supervisor's performance is directly linked to the level of their skills and qualifications. With a higher level of expertise in the field, a production supervisor can more effectively manage their team and ensure that the production process runs smoothly. This, in turn, will lead to improved efficiency and higher quality products, as well as increased customer satisfaction.

having a skilled and qualified production supervisor will increase the company's ability to meet deadlines, which will ultimately result in greater profits. Therefore, it is essential for production supervisors to have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job in order to ensure smooth operations and successful business outcomes.

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Job Description

Develop and implement production schedules to ensure timely delivery of products.
Monitor and control inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods.
Oversee daily production operations and provide guidance, support, and direction to production staff.
Monitor the quality of products being produced and take corrective action when necessary.
Coordinate with other departments such as Maintenance, Quality Control, and Shipping to ensure production goals are met.
Track and report on production metrics such as productivity, efficiency, and quality.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations and good manufacturing practices.
Develop and execute plans to improve production processes and reduce costs.
Train and develop production staff on proper operation of machinery and equipment.
Identify areas for process improvement and collaborate with teams to develop solutions.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
Leadership and communication skills.
Ability to motivate and inspire a team.
Knowledge of production processes and product standards.
Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
Understanding of quality control systems.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Excellent time management skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Knowledge of inventory management systems.

Being a successful Production Supervisor is all about having the right skills and knowledge to effectively lead a team to achieve the desired results within a given timeframe. The most important skill required for this job is strong leadership, as they are responsible for motivating the team, setting goals and driving the team to success. Good communication and interpersonal skills are also essential to ensure that the team is well informed on the project and that everyone is working together.

Problem-solving skills are also necessary for troubleshooting issues that may arise during the production process and for finding creative solutions that will help the team reach their objectives. Lastly, having knowledge of industry standards and regulations is a must for ensuring that the products meet safety and quality standards. These skills are all essential for a successful Production Supervisor and will help them achieve their goals.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a Production Supervisor?
What challenges have you faced as a Production Supervisor, and how did you address them?
Describe your experience with leading teams and working with different departments.
How do you handle difficult situations or disagreements within the team?
What do you think is the most important responsibility of a Production Supervisor?
Tell us about a successful project you have managed in the past.
How do you ensure that production schedules are met?
What methods do you use to motivate and inspire your team?
What tools and processes do you use to monitor production quality?
How do you prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to ensure efficiency?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheet program for data analysis, calculations, and visualization (eg: forecasting, budgeting).
Timekeeping Software. Software that tracks employee hours, overtime, and holidays (eg: Time Clock Plus).
Kanban System. A visual system of boards and cards used to manage the production process (eg: Trello).
Project Management Software. Software used to plan, organize, and manage projects (eg: Asana).
Quality Control Software. Software used to track product defects and monitor quality (eg: QA Tools).
Inventory Management Software. Software used to track and manage inventory levels (eg: Fishbowl Inventory).
Safety Management Software. Software used to monitor workplace safety (eg: iAuditor).
Manufacturing Execution System (MES). Software used to track and manage production processes (eg: Plex Manufacturing Cloud).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
International Production and Inventory Control Society (IPICS)
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)
International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)
The Project Management Institute (PMI)
Quality Professional Association (QPA)

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Common Important Terms

Production Planning. The process of developing a strategy to ensure that the resources and materials needed to successfully manufacture a product are available when needed.
Scheduling. The process of determining when and how much of a product should be produced to meet customer demand.
Quality Control. The process of ensuring that products meet a certain standard of quality before they are released to the public.
Inventory Management. The process of tracking, ordering, and storing materials used in production.
Lean Manufacturing. An approach to production that emphasizes efficiency and minimizes waste.
Kaizen. A Japanese term meaning "improvement" or "change for the better," Kaizen is often used to refer to a continuous improvement process.
Six Sigma. A data-driven approach to quality improvement that aims to reduce defects and improve customer satisfaction.
Cost Control. The process of managing and reducing the costs associated with producing a product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main duties of a Production Supervisor?

The primary responsibilities of a Production Supervisor include planning, coordinating, and overseeing the daily operations of a production facility, ensuring that production goals are met in a timely and efficient manner, and providing leadership and guidance to their team of employees.

What qualifications are needed to become a Production Supervisor?

To become a Production Supervisor, one must typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as several years of experience working in a production or manufacturing environment. Additionally, leadership skills, knowledge of production processes, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication and organizational skills are also important qualifications for this role.

What are the average salary and working hours for a Production Supervisor?

The average salary for a Production Supervisor ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on experience and location. Working hours typically range from 40 to 50 hours per week.

What skills are essential to be successful as a Production Supervisor?

Successful Production Supervisors possess strong organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to lead and motivate their team. They should also have extensive knowledge of production processes and the ability to quickly identify and solve problems. Additionally, they should be comfortable with using computer systems and software to track production data and make decisions.

What is the job outlook for Production Supervisors?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Production Supervisors is expected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029 in response to increased demand for manufactured products. This growth rate is faster than the average for all occupations.