First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

What the job really is

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-1011
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Maintain operations data, such as time, production, and cost records, and prepare management reports of production results.
• Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
• Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
• Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
• Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.
• Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
• Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
• Interpret specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers.
• Observe work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators.
• Conduct employee training in equipment operations or work and safety procedures, or assign employee training to experienced workers.
• Evaluate employee performance.

Tools and technology

Apple Safari, Autodesk AutoCAD, Extensible markup language XML, Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Word

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
• First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.