Manufacturing supervisor

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Team Leading.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

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You could do a team leader advanced apprenticeship or process leader higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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You could work your way up to a supervisor's job after getting 1 or 2 years' experience as a production worker.

To go straight into a supervisor job, you'll usually need qualifications or experience from related manufacturing work, like machinery maintenance or quality control.

You'll need:

• leadership skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day tasks will include:

• planning staff shift rotas
• reporting machinery breakdowns
• stock control and ordering supplies
• making sure your team meets its production targets
• carrying out quality control checks and writing reports
• updating paperwork like holiday requests and sick leave
• organising staff training

You could work in an office or in a factory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.