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What is a manufacturing production supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Jerry Leth

As a manufacturing production supervisor, your primary duty is to oversee the production activities of a manufacturing company. You are responsible for developing and implementing process improvement plans to reduce cost, improve quality, and grow the business. You will keep an inventory of materials to ensure meeting production timelines and timely delivery to customers. Also, you will assess the progress and performance level of the manufacturing team and enforce disciplinary actions to promote safe behavior and attendance. Additionally, you will ensure a safe working environment.

For this position, all you need is a minimum of a high school diploma with at least three years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Candidates must possess communication, problem-solving, and management skills. You must be conversant with SAP, Microsoft Office, Process Control Systems, and other relevant software. An hourly rate of $28.07 or a yearly salary of $58,387 is the amount they earn. It varies from $40,000 to $83,000.

What general advice would you give to a manufacturing production supervisor?

Jerry LethJerry Leth LinkedIn profile

VP/General Manager, MANA

We are the Manufacturers' Agents National Association, a trade association of independent manufacturers' representative businesses. We will address this question from that perspective.
To a recent college graduate, a question I pose is, "Am I going to be happier and more satisfied working for someone? Or would I be more satisfied if I embarked on a path that leads me to own my own business?"
If the answer is owning your own business, consider looking for employment as an outside salesperson for an existing manufacturers' representative business. Our average member employs six outside salespersons, and the largest employs 160. Starting out as an employee provides an opportunity to learn about the business while earning an income. When you are ready, many manufacturers' representative firms offer ownership opportunities to employees, or you may choose to move on and start your own business. Either way, you achieve your goal of owning and running your own business.
ScoreManufacturing Production SupervisorUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,337

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 5.36%

Black or African American 11.29%

Hispanic or Latino 18.89%

Unknown 4.20%

White 59.54%

Gender

female 16.10%

male 83.90%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing production supervisor career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing production supervisor

  1. Explore manufacturing production supervisor education requirements

    Most common manufacturing production supervisor degrees

    Bachelor's

    57.3 %

    Associate

    26.1 %

    Master's

    5.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing production supervisor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Continuous Improvement12.19%
    Lean Manufacturing10.87%
    Production Schedules6.97%
    Sigma4.30%
    Production Lines3.59%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing production supervisor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing production supervisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing production supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing production supervisor resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing production supervisor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage numerous lean Kaizen events, resulting in a more productive department.
    • Serve as main production floor support to enforce GMP to achieve SQF and HACCP plant certifications.
    • Lead targeted decision-making across fast-pace production operations for this growth-orient USDA food factory producing quality meat products.
    • Certify that GMP's and company safety procedures are adhere to.
  5. Prepare your manufacturing production supervisor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing production supervisor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing production supervisor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable manufacturing production supervisor resume templates

    Build a professional manufacturing production supervisor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your manufacturing production supervisor resume.
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
    Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
  6. Apply for manufacturing production supervisor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing production supervisor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first manufacturing production supervisor job

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Average manufacturing production supervisor salary

The average manufacturing production supervisor salary in the United States is $32,337 per year or $16 per hour. Manufacturing production supervisor salaries range between $20,000 and $49,000 per year.

Average manufacturing production supervisor salary
$32,337 Yearly
$15.55 hourly

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How do manufacturing production supervisors rate their job?

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Manufacturing production supervisor reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Being part of the core team, making desicions and having a positive impact on my team daily , Expressing my abilities to grow as a leader face new challenges day to day. Put all my expierences and acknowlegment into action creating a postive enviroment to work.

Cons

There are ups and down but it is gratifying when you come out on top


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Being able to create a work environment where people flourish, come together, build good relationships form positive teamwork, watching work flow smoothly, reaching or exceeding goals, and be accountable. 2. An opportunity to learn shop floor activities technically and also to develop managerial skills.

Cons

When my children were young and still in school, I didn't like not having a work-life balance to be with the family. But now my family is grown up with there own families.


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

I like getting to know the company's operation and running numbers to see what opportunities there are for improvement.

Cons

I don't dislike anything about supervising, however the most difficult part of this position for me was managing people. This is a challenge when turnover rates are high.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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