Production Supervisor

Your Fit

Income

$71K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

0.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Production Supervisor?

A Production Supervisor is a professional responsible for overseeing the daily operations of manufacturing plants, ensuring efficient production processes and maintaining the quality of the output. They play a key role in managing staff, coordinating production schedules, and implementing safety and quality standards.

Sample job titles:

Assembly Supervisor, Manufacturing Supervisor, Production Manager, Production Supervisor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Production Supervisor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Production Supervisor earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$46K per year	$56K per year	$71K per year	$87K per year	$107K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $22K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Production Supervisor do?

Work environment

Production Supervisors work in a variety of manufacturing settings, including factories, plants, and warehouses. The environment is often fast-paced and can be physically demanding, requiring supervisors to be on their feet for long periods. They must balance time between the production floor and an office for administrative tasks.

Quick task list

Manages and supervises production line workers and staff.
Coordinates production schedules and workflow.
Ensures quality control and adherence to safety standards.
Addresses and resolves production issues and bottlenecks.
Trains new employees and provides ongoing guidance.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Automotive Production Supervision: Overseeing production in automotive manufacturing plants.
Food and Beverage Production Supervision: Supervising production in the food and beverage industry.
Pharmaceutical Production Supervision: Managing production in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Description

Production Supervisors are crucial in bridging the gap between the production line and upper management. They are responsible for ensuring that production goals are met, both in terms of quantity and quality. This involves closely monitoring production processes, identifying and resolving any issues that may arise, and ensuring that the final product meets all specifications and standards.

In addition to their role in managing production, they are also responsible for the welfare and performance of their team. This includes training new staff, providing ongoing support and development for existing staff, and ensuring a safe and productive work environment. Effective communication skills are essential, as they need to coordinate with various departments, including human resources, supply chain, and quality control.

Staying current with the latest manufacturing technologies and production methodologies is crucial for a Production Supervisor. They need to be adaptable and capable of implementing new processes and technologies that can improve efficiency and productivity.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Leading and developing a team to achieve production goals.
The challenge of optimizing production processes.
Direct impact on the efficiency and success of the manufacturing operations.

You might make a good Production Supervisor if you are...

A natural leader who enjoys managing and motivating a team.
Good at problem-solving and critical thinking.
Able to handle a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and efficiency.
Effective in communication and coordination.

Pros:

Leadership role with the opportunity to impact production efficiency and team performance.
Varied responsibilities, providing a dynamic and challenging work environment.
Potential for career advancement into higher management positions.
Satisfaction from overseeing and contributing to the successful completion of projects.

Cons:

High responsibility, often requiring management of tight deadlines and budget constraints.
Can involve long hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly in industries with round-the-clock production schedules.
Stressful situations arising from production challenges or personnel issues.
Constant need to adapt to new technologies and production methods.

How to become a Production Supervisor

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in business management, industrial engineering, or a related field is often preferred, but not always required. Significant experience in the manufacturing sector, along with leadership capabilities, can substitute for formal education in some cases.

High school preparation

Courses:

Business studies to understand the basics of management and operations.
Mathematics, particularly algebra and statistics, for managing production metrics and budgeting.
Industrial arts or shop classes to gain a basic understanding of manufacturing and production.
Communication and English courses to develop effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Leadership roles in school clubs or sports teams to develop management and teamwork skills.
Participation in relevant vocational training programs or workshops, if available.
Volunteering or internships in local manufacturing or production companies.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a degree in business administration, industrial engineering, or a related field.
Technical or vocational training in a specific industry sector, such as automotive, food processing, or electronics.
Entry-level positions in manufacturing or production to gain industry experience.
Professional certifications in production management or lean manufacturing.

More resources

Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) - Provides resources and networking opportunities for manufacturing professionals.
Manufacturing Institute - Offers educational programs and resources for manufacturing career development.
Society for Manufacturing Engineers (SME) - Provides professional development, certification, and educational resources in manufacturing.
American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) - Offers certification programs and training in supply chain and production management.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.