what is a production supervisor?
As a production supervisor, you are a middle-level management employee overseeing the production staff. Your main responsibility is to manage and supervise the production process and workers to ensure everything proceeds smoothly. You organize workers in the production unit by organizing tasks, setting deadlines and overseeing production activities. You also manage the equipment to ensure efficiency in production and manufacturing.
Since you supervise the production team, you keep the production line operational and maintain a continuous production process. You maximize production times without compromising product quality or staff safety. Maintaining operational efficiency is an important aspect of your role. That means you troubleshoot equipment and production lines to avoid downtimes.
As a production supervisor, you perform an oversight role that requires technical knowledge of the entire production process. Aside from technical skills, you also need soft skills to manage other workers. For instance, the role involves giving detailed instructions to workers and guiding them through the production process. Hence, you require great communication skills to communicate clearly and concisely.
The production industry also involves constant deadlines and glitches that require thinking on your feet and acting quickly. As a production supervisor, you need great decision-making skills and the ability to act quickly to avoid derailing the production process.
Would working as a production supervisor suits your decision-making skills and attentiveness to detail? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a production supervisor role.
production supervisor jobsaverage production supervisor salary
According to Job Bank, the average hourly salary of a production supervisor is $24.04. In an entry-level role, your earnings as a production supervisor start at $16.94 per hour. As you improve your skills, your earnings also increase, and some jobs have hourly rates of up to $39.42 per hour.
how to increase your salary as a production supervisor
- experience: the earnings of a production supervisor depend on various factors. For instance, if you have a few years of experience, you can negotiate a higher salary compared to production supervisors new in the role. Your work hours also influence your earnings. When you work full-time, you are likely to earn a higher hourly wage than production supervisors working part-time. Working weekends and overtime increases your earnings since employers pay more for working additional hours.
- industry: the industry you work in may also influence your earnings. For instance, production supervisors working in manufacturing may earn higher or lower than those in the food processing industries, depending on the range of duties involved.
- location: in Canada, your location determines your earnings. For instance, the average hourly rate for production supervisors in Alberta is $31.25 and can rise to $43.27 based on experience and qualifications. Some regions, like New Brunswick, have lower earnings for production supervisors and your hourly rates average at $20.
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access our tooltypes of production supervisors
Production supervisors work in various production units and industries. Some of the types of production supervisors include:
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food production supervisors
As a production supervisor in the food and beverage industry, you supervise and coordinate production activities in the food production industry. You guide workers operating processing plants, packaging equipment and breweries. You ensure the food items meet quality standards and solve any problems.
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manufacturing production supervisors
As a manufacturing production supervisor, you guide workers throughout the manufacturing process. You keep the manufacturing operations on track by scheduling workers and ensuring the team has the raw materials to complete the manufacturing process.
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electronics production supervisors
As an electronic production supervisor, you manage the production of electronic items from the initial stages to product assembly.
working as a production supervisor
Are you looking for an interesting role in the production or manufacturing sector? If you are attracted to a career as a production supervisor, read on to explore the daily activities and responsibilities associated with the role.
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what does a production supervisor do?
You carry out the following duties and responsibilities as a production supervisor:
- planning the production schedule: as a production supervisor, you plan the team's schedule. You create a plan for the entire production process, from the initial stages of preparing prototypes to manufacturing the final products. You also make projections about the production timeline.
- managing the production team: as a production supervisor, you manage the production team, from hiring to training and appraising teams. You select workers with the right skills and train them on production tasks and machinery. You also ensure the workers know the regulatory compliance and health and safety regulations.
- assigning production tasks: as a production supervisor, you assign duties to the production team. You take into account the production requirements of the product you are manufacturing and individual workers' capabilities before assigning tasks.
- collecting and preparing reports: since you supervise the production process, it's your job to collect data to analyze the progress. You also compile reports and highlight any production challenges to the management team for review.
- troubleshooting issues: your job is to ensure the production process is seamless. That means you troubleshoot issues that arise with the machinery and equipment. You also ensure maintenance is done on time to avoid production downtimes.
- ensuring compliance with production regulations: as a production supervisor, you ensure the production process complies with industry regulations. You also adhere to company regulations during the production process. That involves putting safety measures in place and ensuring employees adhere to the rules and guidelines.
- ensuring the production team has relevant raw materials: part of ensuring efficient production is minimizing downtimes by providing raw materials on time. You also organize the acquisition of new equipment for the smooth running of production.
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work environment of a production supervisor
As a production supervisor, you work in various work environments depending on your role. In an office setting, you complete clerical and administrative duties associated with your job. For instance, you review plans and schedule work for employees. On the production floor, you inspect the production process and ensure the team has the necessary raw materials.
Production supervisors work in various industries. For instance, you coordinate activities in the manufacturing sector, like supervising the production of electronics and machines. Sometimes, your role requires wearing personal protective equipment to ensure your safety.
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who are your colleagues?
As a production supervisor, you work with professionals from different fields, including mechanical engineers, maintenance technicians and factory workers. The professionals ensure the equipment runs smoothly and maintenance is done on time. You also work alongside production managers and project managers, and other professionals, including project engineers and production workers.
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production supervisor work schedule
The work schedule of a production supervisor is 40 hours a week. You are likely to work on a regular nine-to-five work schedule in various companies. That means your work week runs from Monday to Friday. Your work hours are often affected by the type of products you manufacture. For instance, some industries run 24 hours daily, and you may be expected to work night or day shifts. Sometimes, you work unsociable hours during peak seasons.
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career opportunities as a production supervisor
As a production supervisor, you have various career opportunities due to the demand for your skills. For instance, your skills and technical knowledge can enable you to progress to a job as a production manager. As you improve your experience, consider becoming an operations manager or project manager. Jobs in the manufacturing sector are expected to grow steadily.
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advantages of finding a production supervisor job through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
production supervisor skills and education
A production supervisor doesn't require specific educational qualifications. When you work in manufacturing, qualifications or certifications in engineering or manufacturing improve your knowledge and skills. For instance, a bachelor's degree in engineering or manufacturing develops your expertise. Having the necessary work experience in production also prepares you for the role and gives you leadership experience.
competencies and characteristics of production supervisors
As a production supervisor, you require technical knowledge and competencies to execute your duties. Some of the qualities necessary for the role include:
- communication skills: as a production supervisor, you are tasked with giving instructions to the production team. Your communication skills help you relay information accurately and concisely to keep everyone informed and updated on the tasks.
- attention to detail: as a production supervisor, having an eye for detail helps avoid mistakes. Small details have big effects on safety and product quality. Your attentiveness helps you anticipate problems and plan the production schedule to accommodate them.
- decision-making skills: as a production supervisor, being confident in your decisions and anticipating outcomes is important. You should think on your feet to evaluate the impact of your decisions and make the right choices.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of production supervisor.
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what is the role of a production supervisor?
As a production supervisor, you oversee the staff in a production or manufacturing unit. Your main responsibility is to manage the production process to ensure efficiency. That involves scheduling the production work in phases and setting specific targets. You also troubleshoot problems that arise during production and ensure production efficiency.
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what are the skills required for a production supervisor?
As a production supervisor, you require strong communication skills to guide workers through the production process. Your communication skills help you keep everyone informed of their duties and the production process. You also require great decision-making skills to make informed decisions faster and improve production efficiency.
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what is the salary of a production supervisor?
The average hourly salary of a production supervisor in Canada is $24.04 per hour. The minimum earnings in the role start at an hourly rate of $16.94. As you improve your experience and skills, you are likely to earn more. The highest-paid production supervisors in Canada earn $39.42 per hour. Your remuneration depends on your area of specialization and qualifications.
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what is the difference between a production supervisor and a manager?
As a production supervisor, you oversee the execution of specific tasks in the production process. You focus on the daily activities of workers in the production unit. That involves assigning tasks and explaining the production process to ensure seamless execution. A production manager oversees the entire production process and makes major decisions.
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what is the next step after the production supervisor?
As a production supervisor, you have multiple career progression and growth opportunities. Most production supervisors become production managers supervising the entire production department. You can also progress to the role of an operations manager managing production units for the entire company.
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how do I find a job as a production supervisor?
Finding a job near you as a production supervisor is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and a recruiter will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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