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Manufacturing production supervisor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Kamran Abedini,
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical manufacturing production supervisor skills. We ranked the top skills for manufacturing production supervisors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.2% of manufacturing production supervisor resumes contained continuous improvement as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a manufacturing production supervisor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 manufacturing production supervisor skills for your resume and career

1. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use continuous improvement:
  • Improved employee safety, production quality, equipment reliability, and overall equipment efficiently utilizing continuous Improvement techniques.
  • Obtain resources to resolve interruptions while maximizing production capabilities, minimizing scrap, and encouraging continuous improvement.

2. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use lean manufacturing:
  • Improved productivity up to 14% by initiating lean manufacturing practices and continuous process improvements through quarterly audits and bi-annual assessments.
  • Implemented Lean Manufacturing processes to increase productivity without jeopardizing health & safety or quality to meet daily production requirements.

3. Production Schedules

The project plan of a film or a documentary that highlights how a production budget will be spent over a given period until its completion is called a production schedule. The scheduling process starts with writing and analyzing the script, which is then broken down to determine and allocate the budget for each scene. The production schedule also includes several elements of the film including; cast actors, special effects, wardrobe, special equipment, stunts, extras, silent bits, production equipment, and many others.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use production schedules:
  • Managed inventory and ordered sufficient material to meet production schedules and ensure on-time delivery to customers.
  • Make personnel and equipment recommendations based on production schedule to ensure on time delivery.

4. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use sigma:
  • Supported an extensive four level quality system with a major focus on LEAN practices and Six Sigma.
  • Manage Assembly Line Manufacturing Floor In JIT, ISO & Six Sigma Environments.

5. Production Lines

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use production lines:
  • Conferred with management and production staff to determine manufacturing feasibility, cost effectiveness and customer demands of production lines.
  • Assisted in the ramp-up of new production lines and production processes, including interviewing, hiring, and training new employees.

6. Equipment Performance

Equipment Performance refers to how a piece of equipment performs a designated job. If machinery or equipment is getting older, a company may want to perform an equipment performance test to determine whether the equipment must be upgraded. This equipment may be computer or other technology, tractors or farming tools, or software programs.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use equipment performance:
  • Established and implemented measures to motivate employees and to improve production methods, equipment performance, product quality and efficiency.
  • Recommend measures to improve production methods, quality of product and equipment performance.

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7. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use troubleshoot:
  • Utilized schematics and technical data to troubleshoot and rework defective electronic assemblies and test equipment to the component level.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment Designed manufacturing fixtures for welding and assembly.

8. Direct Reports

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use direct reports:
  • Direct reports include Production Supervisors, Quality Manager, and Shipping/Receiving Clerk.
  • Developed and supported employee individual development plans, coaching and counseling and performance evaluations of 12 to 40 direct reports.

9. Performance Reviews

Performance reviews refer to the official evaluation of a worker's performance done by the manager. The evaluation then helps the superior identify the worker's strengths and weaknesses and offers valuable feedback to help him overcome his shortcomings. This assessment also helps a worker set a future goal for himself and identify ways to better his future performance. Performance Reviews may be done on a monthly or yearly basis, depending on the company.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use performance reviews:
  • Managed high-level personnel issues including interviews, conflicts resolution, disciplinary actions and performance reviews.
  • Conducted performance reviews and developed action plans for those areas needing improvement.

10. GMP

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. It is a system that ensures that all products like food, beverages, and medicinal drugs that are produced comply with the quality standards. It helps in minimizing the risks and hazards that cannot be eliminated after the testing of final products.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use gmp:
  • Achieved Superior rating on AIB and corporate inspection through participation in daily audits, which insured compliance to GMP standards.
  • Assure that all GMP s, SOP s, Work instructions, quality standards and FDA regulations are followed.

11. Quality Standards

Quality standards are a specific level of standards of products that are set by the companies for the customers that have to be met and maintained throughout the process until the time of delivery. Quality standards are information that includes the customer's requirements, guidelines, and characteristics for the needed final product or service.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use quality standards:
  • Developed visual quality standards for manufactured parts within the department.
  • Maintain and emphasize quality standards, process conformance, identify and direct quality improvements in the product and processes.

12. SPC

SPC stands for "statistical process control," a method that uses statistical tools and charts to analyze a process or procedure over time. This could reveal an error in production or an internal system by highlighting data points outside the expected results. These anomalies, likely caused by outside sources, can then be studied and remedied.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use spc:
  • Utilized ergonomics training, TQM, SPC, HACCP, and DuPont Stop safety program resulting in reducing workplace injuries.
  • Developed new process improvements to reduce cycle time or increase Yield and to validate SPC charts.

13. Quality Products

A quality product satisfies the client's intended need and matches the cost the consumer paid for it.

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use quality products:
  • Assisted the start up of a new product line, worked closely with engineering to perfect and ensure quality products.
  • Created a quality control process and standard work for each stage of production to ensure the highest quality products.

14. ISO

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use iso:
  • Managed and scheduled work assignments for a three shift ISO 9000 operation of over 90 employees.
  • Audited departments to ensure compliance with ISO standards, coached employees on maintaining conformance to specifications.

15. Cost Reduction

Here's how manufacturing production supervisors use cost reduction:
  • Identified and implemented process improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and business growth.
  • Coordinated, recognized, developed and implemented cost reductions, quality improvements and safety procedures.
top-skills

What skills help Manufacturing Production Supervisors find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What manufacturing production supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kamran AbediniDr. Kamran Abedini LinkedIn profile

Professor and Chairman, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

First of all, I do not recommend a gap year or any interruptions in education as it could require additional warm-up and setup for starting it again in the future. However, if they "need" to do so, I recommend they at least take one course so that they understand the trend and the expectations of students in an educational environment. For example, in the last couple of semesters, both faculty and students have learned and experienced new methods of virtual learning and assessment. If you just plan on coming to school after a few semesters, you would be highly surprised by the changes, taking you much time to prepare, and it would cause falling behind your coursework.

What type of skills will young manufacturing production supervisors need?

Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Wichita State University

The work environment has changed drastically over the past three decades due to the faster pace of innovation and shorter product lifecycles. This has a direct impact on what young graduates need to succeed in the future. The primary skill needed is the ability to learn quickly. The skills that a graduate acquires in college will become obsolete in a few years, so they should not count on those skills as a means for financial security for life. In this environment, flexibility is the key to success: flexibility to learn new skills, flexibility to work in a new and different business environment, and flexibility to work with others. We face very complex problems, and to solve these problems, we need teams rather than individuals to solve them. This highlights the importance of critical thinking, multi-disciplinary vision, and communication skills.

List of manufacturing production supervisor skills to add to your resume

Manufacturing production supervisor skills

The most important skills for a manufacturing production supervisor resume and required skills for a manufacturing production supervisor to have include:

  • Continuous Improvement
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Production Schedules
  • Sigma
  • Production Lines
  • Equipment Performance
  • Troubleshoot
  • Direct Reports
  • Performance Reviews
  • GMP
  • Quality Standards
  • SPC
  • Quality Products
  • ISO
  • Cost Reduction
  • Production Processes
  • Safety Training
  • Production Operations
  • OSHA
  • Process Control
  • Production Methods
  • Production Floor
  • Corrective Action
  • Extrusion
  • Kaizen
  • Process Improvement
  • Disciplinary Actions
  • Cost Savings
  • Production Reports
  • Employee Development
  • R
  • CNC
  • Value Stream
  • HACCP
  • MRP
  • Quality Issues
  • PPE
  • Customer Specifications
  • Production Planning
  • Performance Appraisals
  • Collective Bargaining
  • FDA
  • Inventory Control
  • Production Equipment
  • TPM
  • Production Associates
  • Production Control
  • Assembly Line
  • Machine Operators

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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