Production Supervisor
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
Key Responsibilities
1. Team Supervision & Leadership
● Supervise, direct, and coordinate the daily activities of general workers and machine operators on the production floor.
● Conduct daily team briefings, assign tasks, and manage shift handovers.
● Monitor attendance, punctuality, and adherence to workplace rules and procedures.
● Address performance issues, misconduct, or non-compliance in line with company disciplinary procedures.
● Foster a positive, productive, and safety-conscious team culture.
● Identify training needs and support on-the-job skill development of team members.
2. Production Operations
● Ensure daily production schedules are executed on time and in full, in accordance with instructions from the Production Manager.
● Monitor production output, quality standards, and throughput against set targets.
● Identify and escalate production bottlenecks or delays promptly.
● Enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure all workers follow prescribed methods.
● Coordinate workflow between production and packaging stations to maintain continuity.
3. Machinery & Equipment Management
● Take ownership of the care and operational integrity of all assigned production and packaging machinery.
● Conduct or oversee routine preventative maintenance tasks in accordance with manufacturer specifications and maintenance schedules.
● Perform first-line troubleshooting and minor repairs on equipment to minimise downtime.
● Escalate complex mechanical, electrical, or technical faults to the relevant maintenance or engineering team.
● Maintain accurate maintenance logs, fault reports, and service records for all equipment.
● Ensure all machinery is correctly set up, calibrated, and ready for production at the start of each shift.
4. Equipment Care & Operator Accountability
● Train and continuously monitor machine operators on correct equipment operating procedures.
● Identify and address instances of equipment misuse, negligence, or unsafe handling immediately.
● Implement and enforce a culture of equipment ownership and responsibility among operators.
● Conduct regular equipment inspections and report wear, damage, or irregularities before they escalate into failures.
● Ensure all operators are certified or trained before being permitted to operate specific machinery.
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
● Enforce all Health & Safety regulations, company policies, and legal requirements on the production floor.
● Conduct pre-shift safety briefings and toolbox talks.
● Ensure the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by all team members at all times.
● Identify hazards, report near-misses, and participate in incident investigations.
● Maintain a clean, organised, and compliant work environment in line with 5S or similar workplace standards.
6. Reporting & Communication
● Compile and submit daily/weekly production and maintenance reports to the Production Manager.
● Report accurately on output, downtime, equipment status, workforce issues, and safety incidents.
● Communicate clearly between shift teams to ensure continuity and knowledge transfer.
Minimum requirements
Qualifications
● Essential: Technical trade qualification or diploma — preference given to:
● Millwright (Artisan Trade Certificate)
● Mechanical Fitter
● Electrician (with mechanical exposure)
● Mechatronics Technician
● Advantageous: Additional supervisory or production management certificate (e.g., NQF Level 4/5 in Operations Management or equivalent).
Experience
● Minimum 3–5 years of experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
● Minimum 2 years in a supervisory or team leader capacity.
● Demonstrable experience in machine operation, maintenance, and fault diagnosis.
● Experience in packaging environments is an advantage.
Skills & Competencies
Competency | Proficiency Required |
Mechanical / Technical Aptitude | Advanced |
Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting | Advanced |
Team Supervision & People Management | Intermediate–Advanced |
Production Planning (shift level) | Intermediate |
Health & Safety Compliance | Intermediate–Advanced |
Written & Verbal Reporting | Intermediate |
Problem-Solving & Decision-Making | Intermediate |
Computer Literacy (basic reporting tools) | Basic–Intermediate |
Personal Attributes
● Hands-on and technically confident — comfortable working on the floor, not behind a desk.
● Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
● Assertive but fair in managing people and enforcing standards.
● Methodical and detail-oriented in maintenance and documentation.
● Calm under pressure with the ability to prioritise during breakdowns or production disruptions.
● High integrity — able to enforce rules consistently and objectively.