Production Supervisor

Position Summary

The Production Supervisor oversees daily manufacturing operations to ensure production goals, quality standards, and delivery schedules are met. This role leads employees on the assigned shift, coordinates staffing and workflow, monitors equipment performance, and partners with Quality and Maintenance to resolve issues. The supervisor promotes a safe, efficient work environment with a focus on accountability, employee development, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Production & Operations

• 
  

  Supervise daily production activities to meet output, quality, and efficiency targets.

  
  


• 
  

  Coordinate shift staffing, work assignments, break schedules, and job rotations based on production needs.

  
  


• 
  

  Monitor production schedules, material availability, and workflow to ensure timely completion of orders.

  
  


• 
  

  Verify that equipment setups, start-ups, changeovers, and shutdowns follow established procedures.

  
  


• 
  

  Monitor equipment performance and coordinate with Maintenance to address breakdowns and minimize downtime.

  
  


• 
  

  Ensure employees follow work instructions and product specifications throughout the manufacturing process.

  
  


• 
  

  Maintain clean, organized work areas consistent with 5S standards.

  
  

Quality Assurance

• 
  

  Enforce compliance with quality standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and documentation requirements.

  
  


• 
  

  Work closely with Quality to investigate defects, process deviations, and customer complaints.

  
  


• 
  

  Conduct production floor audits and verify that required quality checks are completed and documented.

  
  


• 
  

  Ensure nonconforming materials and products are identified, segregated, and handled according to established procedures.

  
  


• 
  

  Support containment, rework, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.

  
  

Safety

• 
  

  Ensure compliance with safety policies, including machine guarding, personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout, and hazard reporting.

  
  


• 
  

  Address unsafe conditions promptly and participate in incident investigations, training, and audits.

  
  


• 
  

  Lead daily safety discussions and reinforce safe work practices.

  
  


• 
  

  Ensure employees are trained and authorized to perform assigned tasks.

  
  

Leadership & Team Development

• 
  

  Supervise production operators, material handlers, and other assigned personnel.

  
  


• 
  

  Train employees on equipment operation, work instructions, quality expectations, and safety procedures.

  
  


• 
  

  Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and documented evaluations.

  
  


• 
  

  Address attendance and performance concerns in partnership with management and Human Resources.

  
  


• 
  

  Foster teamwork, accountability, and clear communication across shifts.

  
  


• 
  

  Assist with hiring, onboarding, and cross-training to support production needs.

  
  

Continuous Improvement

• 
  

  Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce scrap, minimize downtime, and control production costs.

  
  


• 
  

  Monitor production metrics and take action to address performance gaps.

  
  


• 
  

  Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality on process improvements and troubleshooting.

  
  


• 
  

  Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives.

  
  


• 
  

  Encourage employee input on improvements to safety, quality, and efficiency.

  
  

Administrative & Reporting

• 
  

  Maintain accurate production records, including output, scrap, downtime, labor utilization, and shift activity.

  
  


• 
  

  Communicate production status, staffing needs, and operational issues to the Production Manager.

  
  


• 
  

  Conduct shift handoffs to ensure continuity of operations and follow-through on unresolved issues.

  
  


• 
  

  Review employee timekeeping and support workforce planning.

  
  

Qualifications

Required

• 
  

  High school diploma or equivalent.

  
  


• 
  

  2+ years of experience in manufacturing, preferably in plastics, packaging, or a similar production environment.

  
  


• 
  

  1+ year of leadership, lead operator, or supervisory experience.

  
  


• 
  

  Working knowledge of production equipment, manufacturing processes, and quality standards.

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to interpret production schedules, work instructions, and product specifications.

  
  


• 
  

  Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

  
  


• 
  

  Basic proficiency with production software and Microsoft Office.

  
  

Preferred

• 
  

  Previous supervisory experience in plastic tube manufacturing or packaging.

  
  


• 
  

  Experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

  
  


• 
  

  Familiarity with ERP systems and production performance metrics.

  
  


• 
  

  Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.

  
  

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• 
  

  Ability to stand and walk throughout the production floor for extended periods.

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to bend, reach, and occasionally lift up to 40–50 lbs.

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise and moving equipment.

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to wear required PPE and follow all facility safety requirements.