Manufacturing supervisor
Factory supervisor, production line supervisor, shift supervisor
Manufacturing supervisors keep production lines running smoothly and manage staff.
Salary range: £18,000 to £35,000
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), 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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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), 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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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.