Manufacturing supervisor

Alternative titles for this job include Factory supervisor, production line supervisor, shift supervisor

Manufacturing supervisors keep production lines running smoothly and manage staff.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

days / nights / weekends on shifts

How to become a manufacturing supervisor

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

College

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

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

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

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

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

Direct application

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in an office or in a factory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

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

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Team leader / supervisor apprenticeship

• Wage : £250.00 - £300.00 Weekly
• Location: Bradford BD1 5EE

Lead Play-worker Apprenticeship

• Wage : £292.50 - £438.75 Weekly
• Location: Epsom KT19 0PD

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading

• Provider: Burton and South Derbyshire College
• Start date: 01 August 2019
• Location: Burton on Trent

Team Leading Level 2

• Provider: Chichester College
• Start date: 31 July 2019
• Location: Chichester

Find courses near you

Related careers

• Production manager (manufacturing)
• Production worker (manufacturing)
• Manufacturing systems engineer

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