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What does a manufacturing production supervisor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read

Manufacturing production supervisors are professionals who are responsible for overseeing the production activities of a manufacturing firm. These supervisors are required to implement process improvement initiatives that focus on cost reduction, quality improvement, and business growth. They must maintain a sufficient inventory of materials so that they can meet production schedules and ensure on-time delivery to customers. Manufacturing production supervisors also need to monitor the progress and performance level of the manufacturing team and implement disciplinary actions regarding safety behavior and attendance.

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Manufacturing production supervisor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing production supervisor resumes:

  • 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.
  • Incorporate Kaizen principles to identify, address and follow up on any production problems.
  • Provide compliance training in the relevant areas of FDA, DEA and OSHA regulation, company policies and procedures.
  • Communicate and enforce all OSHA safety rules and regulations to assembly personnel.
  • Direct and supervise sanitation activities including verification of ATP swab results and HACCP specifications.
  • Function as subject-matter-expert on upstream manufacturing operations during inspections by both FDA and EMA including significant front-room interaction with inspectors.
  • Establish WIP management procedure to prevent bottlenecks through the emitter and detector assembly process.
  • Utilize TPS techniques to standardize process/methods, identify waste, methodically eliminate waste and standardize the new process/ methods.

Manufacturing production supervisor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Manufacturing Production Supervisors are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and Production Schedules.

We break down the percentage of Manufacturing Production Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Continuous Improvement, 12%

    Improved employee safety, production quality, equipment reliability, and overall equipment efficiently utilizing continuous Improvement techniques.

  • Lean Manufacturing, 11%

    Improved productivity up to 14% by initiating lean manufacturing practices and continuous process improvements through quarterly audits and bi-annual assessments.

  • Production Schedules, 7%

    Managed inventory and ordered sufficient material to meet production schedules and ensure on-time delivery to customers.

  • Sigma, 4%

    Supported an extensive four level quality system with a major focus on LEAN practices and Six Sigma.

  • Production Lines, 4%

    Conferred with management and production staff to determine manufacturing feasibility, cost effectiveness and customer demands of production lines.

  • Equipment Performance, 3%

    Established and implemented measures to motivate employees and to improve production methods, equipment performance, product quality and efficiency.

Common skills that a manufacturing production supervisor uses to do their job include "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," and "production schedules." You can find details on the most important manufacturing production supervisor responsibilities below.

All manufacturing production supervisor skills

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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
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume
Manufacturing Production Supervisor Resume

Compare different manufacturing production supervisors

Manufacturing production supervisor vs. Assembly supervisor

Assembly Supervisors oversee and coordinate employees' work on assembly-lines. The supervisors assign personnel to stations or tasks and prepare their work schedules. They monitor processes to make sure that the employees are carrying out their tasks correctly. It is their responsibility to monitor the whole assembly process for delay prevention. They also contribute to developing procedures and processes to boost the overall operation of the assembly lines.

The annual salary of assembly supervisors is $29,706 higher than the average salary of manufacturing production supervisors.Even though manufacturing production supervisors and assembly supervisors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and production schedules in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, manufacturing production supervisor responsibilities require skills like "troubleshoot," "gmp," "lean six sigma," and "iso." Meanwhile a typical assembly supervisor has skills in areas such as "safety procedures," "assembly operations," "delivery dates," and "assembly procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Assembly supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $79,821. On the other hand, manufacturing production supervisors are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $41,802.The education levels that assembly supervisors earn slightly differ from manufacturing production supervisors. In particular, assembly supervisors are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a manufacturing production supervisor. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing production supervisor vs. Production team leader

A production team leader is in charge of leading and overseeing the efforts of a production team, ensuring projects are carried out in adherence to its goals and timelines. It is their duty to set guidelines and objectives, manage budgets and schedules, liaise with internal and external parties, and assess the performance of team members. They must also monitor the progress of operations and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a production team leader must encourage and lead staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Production team leader positions earn higher pay than manufacturing production supervisor roles. They earn a $6,443 higher salary than manufacturing production supervisors per year.A few skills overlap for manufacturing production supervisors and production team leaders. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," and "production schedules. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real manufacturing production supervisor resumes. While manufacturing production supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "lean six sigma," "spc," "cost reduction," and "production processes," production team leaders use skills like "customer service," "safety procedures," "work ethic," and "strong work ethic."

Production team leaders may earn a higher salary than manufacturing production supervisors, but production team leaders earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $52,373. On the other hand, manufacturing production supervisors receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,802.In general, production team leaders achieve similar levels of education than manufacturing production supervisors. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing production supervisor vs. Production line leader

A 3rd shift supervisor is responsible for monitoring the operations and staff performance of a specific shift. 3rd shift supervisors strategize on effective business techniques to maximize staff's productivity and improve customers' experience. They also analyze sales reports, resolve discrepancies, and identify business opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and increase the company's profitability. A 3rd shift supervisor addresses customers' inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving their complaints about services timely and accurately.

On average scale, production line leaders bring in higher salaries than manufacturing production supervisors. In fact, they earn a $4,379 higher salary per year.manufacturing production supervisors and production line leaders both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "continuous improvement," "production schedules," and "equipment performance," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, manufacturing production supervisors are more likely to have skills like "lean manufacturing," "sigma," "production lines," and "performance reviews." But a production line leader is more likely to have skills like "team work," "safety procedures," "quality checks," and "cleanliness."

Production line leaders earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $44,299. Manufacturing production supervisors earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $41,802.production line leaders typically earn similar educational levels compared to manufacturing production supervisors. Specifically, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing production supervisor vs. 3rd shift supervisor

3rd shift supervisors typically earn higher pay than manufacturing production supervisors. On average, 3rd shift supervisors earn a $595 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, manufacturing production supervisors and 3rd shift supervisors both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," and "production schedules. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "sigma," "equipment performance," "performance reviews," and "lean six sigma" are skills that commonly show up on manufacturing production supervisor resumes. On the other hand, 3rd shift supervisors use skills like customer service, basic math, pallet jack, and cleanliness on their resumes.The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for 3rd shift supervisors, with average annual pay of $35,104. Comparatively, the highest manufacturing production supervisor annual salary comes from the automotive industry.3rd shift supervisors reach similar levels of education compared to manufacturing production supervisors, in general. The difference is that they're 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of manufacturing production supervisor

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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