Manufacturing supervisor Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Manufacturing supervisors are responsible for the day-to-day running of production processes in all types of manufacturing operations. They make sure that the production line is running smoothly and that staff are meeting their production targets.

You main duties as a supervisor would include:

• planning and organising staff shift rotas and tasks
• reporting plant or machinery breakdowns to maintenance technicians
• organising external contracts, like cleaning or supplies
• stock control
• motivating your team
• producing management reports on performance
• monitoring quality control
• updating paperwork, such as annual leave requests and sick leave
• identifying and organising training needs.

Depending on your level of responsibility, you might also be involved in the recruitment process, health and safety monitoring and industrial relations.

Hours

You would usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. This could include shifts covering nights and weekends.

Your time would be divided between the office and the production lines, and conditions would vary according to the company and the goods being made. You would wear protective clothing, like ear guards, safety shoes and overalls, when you are on the factory floor.

Income

• Average salaries are around £18,000 to £25,000 a year
• Senior supervisors in larger companies can earn more than £25,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To go straight into a supervisor job, you would usually need qualifications and experience from related manufacturing work, such as maintenance or quality control.

Alternatively, you could build up the necessary technical skills and experience to move into a supervisor role by starting work as a production operative.

You could prepare for a supervisory job by completing general introductory qualifications in supervision and management, such as:

• Chartered Management Institute's (CMI) Introductory Certificate in Team Leading
• Institute of Leadership and Management's (ILM) Level 2 Award in Team Leading.

Contact the CMI and ILM for more details.

You may also be able join an Apprenticeship scheme with a manufacturing company and move into a supervisory role once you are qualified.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

To get on to an Apprenticeship, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-E).

Training and development

Once you start work, you would receive induction training with your employer and ongoing training as required. This could include completing some of the higher-level qualifications through the CMI and ILM.

You can also work towards:

• NVQ Level 2 in Team Leading
• NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Management.

The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) offers the following qualifications:

• Level 3 Certificate
• Level 4 Diploma
• Level 5 Advanced Diploma.

You can study for these at colleges or by distance learning. The IOM also offers a range of short specialised courses in various areas of management and planning. See the IOM website for details.

Skills and knowledge

• leadership skills to motivate staff and manage a team
• the ability to meet targets and deadlines
• good time management skills
• an approachable manner and good communication skills
• excellent problem-solving skills
• effective decision making
• the ability to write reports and compile accurate records
• good IT skills
• a willingness to work flexibly
• an awareness of health and safety issues.

More information

Institute of Operations Management (IOM)
Earlstrees Court
Earlstrees Road
Corby
Northants
NN17 4AX
Tel: 01536 740105
www.iomnet.org.uk

Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Stowe House
Netherstowe
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6TJ
Tel: 01543 266867
www.i-l-m.com

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Management House
Cottingham Road
Corby
Northants
NN17 1TT
Tel: 01536 204222
www.managers.org.uk

SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK)
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0845 643 9001
www.semta.org.uk

Women into Science, Engineering and Construction
UK Resource Centre
Athlone Wing
Old Building
Great Horton Road
Bradford
BD7 1AY
Tel: 01274 436485
www.theukrc.org/wise

Opportunities

You could work in a wide variety of manufacturing industries including:

• food and drink production
• pharmaceuticals
• automotive or aerospace engineering
• building products.

With experience, you could move into quality control, production planning, research and development or management positions.

You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

• Manufacturing Recruitment
• The Manufacturer