Production Supervisor

Job Summary:

The Production Supervisor is responsible for overseeing multiple production lines within a Business Unit in a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment. This role ensures operational targets are met by leading team leads, coordinating resources, and driving performance. The Supervisor plays a critical role in identifying and managing constraints, maintaining safety standards, optimizing productivity, and improving quality outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Line Oversight

Lead all production activities across assigned lines on shift.

Supervise and develop Team Leads, ensuring consistent execution of goals and standards.

Maintain visible leadership presence to coach, support, and hold the floor team accountable.

Performance & KPI Management

Own KPIs across assigned lines: Safety, Output, Scrap, Productivity, Labor Utilization, and First-Time Quality.

Identify and manage bottlenecks or constraints affecting flow or output; implement containment and long-term solutions.

Monitor hourly line performance and ensure corrective actions are tracked and followed through.

Constraint Management

Apply basic Theory of Constraints principles to optimize flow across the lines.

Prioritize support and resources to the current bottleneck to maximize throughput.

Coordinate with Maintenance, Logistics, and Engineering to remove systemic blockers and improve uptime.

Safety & Compliance

Enforce all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements across the lines.

Drive real-time intervention on unsafe behaviors and conditions.

Lead investigations and corrective action for safety incidents or near-misses.

Staffing & Escalation

Manage cross-line staffing, flexing resources based on real-time needs, skill levels, and absenteeism.

Ensure all Team Leads execute escalation processes quickly and correctly.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to remove obstacles and keep production moving.

People Development & Culture

Support new hire onboarding, skills matrix management, and cross-training execution.

Build a culture of discipline, urgency, and ownership across shifts and lines.

Provide structured coaching and feedback to Team Leads and high-potential operators.

Communication & Reporting

Lead structured shift handovers with complete documentation of line performance, issues, and actions.

Escalate systemic or unresolved issues to the Business Unit Leader with supporting data and timeline impact.

Track and communicate progress against KPIs daily and weekly.

Required Qualifications:

3+ years of supervisory experience in high-volume or automotive manufacturing

Strong leadership skills managing across multiple lines and leading through Team Leads

Working knowledge of constraint management and basic lean principles

Able to interpret performance data and drive decisions in real time

Excellent floor discipline, coaching, and accountability enforcement

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to walk/move about a 500,000 sq ft manufacturing facility: 100% of the time

Must be able to stand/walk/move about specific work area: 90% of the time

Must be able to bend/reach/twist/stoop: 70% of the time

Must be able to lift up to 40lbs on a frequent basis: 40% of the time

Must be able to lift over 40lbs on an infrequent basis: 15% of the time

Must be able to sit at a work station: 0% of the time

Must be able to work and operate a computer terminal: 80% of the time

Vision is required to analyze and process work; and to work on computer terminal/machine centers, etc.

Hearing is essential for safety reasons; and to communicate with employees, supervisors, managers, vendors, suppliers and customers via conversation, group meetings, and/or phone conferences

Must be able to wear a painting suit and/or respirator

Must be able to work with paints/solvents/cleaners

Must be able to work any shift as required including overtime as needed