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

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), 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

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.

©opyright The CV Writer

The career profiles database is designed to compliment the sreries of five Career Advice Guides. Providing information covering the qualifications, skills, expertise and an overview of the responsibilites required for each job role that you can use to build your CV, application letters, application forms and that all important job interview.

For a more detailed description of what’s included in the pack click here

By placing your order with The CV Writer you agree to our Terms and Conditions in full.