Sr Production Supervisor

The Senior Production Supervisor is responsible for leading assigned manufacturing and distribution operations within the Safety Division. This position provides direct leadership to Production Supervisors, Shipping/Receiving Supervisors (as assigned), Production Lead Persons, and production employees to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely production and fulfillment of customer orders.

The Senior Production Supervisor is accountable for daily operational performance, including safety, quality, productivity, inventory, labor utilization, and on-time delivery. This role partners with Sales, Customer Service, Planning, Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality to execute business objectives while driving continuous improvement and developing a high-performing operations team.

Salaried Exempt Role, Monday-Friday

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Lead the daily operations of assigned manufacturing and distribution departments.
• Ensure customer orders are produced and shipped within established lead times.
• Balance labor resources across departments to meet changing production demands.
• Monitor production schedules and adjust priorities to maximize throughput and customer service.
• Remove operational bottlenecks and resolve production issues affecting delivery performance.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for daily operational challenges.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Directly supervise Production Supervisors and Shipping/Receiving Supervisors.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and lead personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing performance feedback.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning.
• Recommend promotions, disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Promote a safe work environment by ensuring employees utilize required PPE and follow established work procedures.
• Conduct routine safety observations and participate in accident investigations and corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Production & Customer Service

• Monitor production performance against schedule and customer demand.
• Coordinate production priorities with Sales, Customer Service, Planning, Engineering, and Purchasing.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained throughout manufacturing operations.
• Resolve customer delivery issues through proactive production planning.
• Support new product introductions and production readiness.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Ensure accurate inventory of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate replenishment with Purchasing and Planning.
• Oversee material movement to support uninterrupted production.
• Ensure Global Shop transactions are completed accurately and timely.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production metrics to identify opportunities for increased efficiency.
• Develop and monitor departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Standardize best practices across assigned departments.

Equipment & Facilities

• Coordinate equipment maintenance priorities with Maintenance.
• Ensure production equipment is operating safely and efficiently.
• Identify capital equipment and facility improvement opportunities.
• Minimize equipment downtime through effective planning and communication.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Review daily production reports and operational metrics.
• Ensure accurate production reporting within Global Shop.
• Maintain departmental documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Prepare reports and updates for the Senior Operations Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered in lieu of formal continued education.
• High School/GED, required 

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience managing supervisors or multiple production departments.
• Experience in sewing, assembly, or manufacturing operations preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of production scheduling and capacity planning.
• Working knowledge of inventory control and material planning.
• Ability to analyze KPIs and operational performance data.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Senior Production Supervisor is accountable for achieving performance goals in the following areas:

• Safety performance
• On-time delivery
• Production schedule attainment
• Productivity and labor efficiency
• Quality and first-pass yield
• Inventory accuracy
• Employee training and cross-training completion
• Scrap and rework reduction
• Continuous improvement implementation
• Employee engagement and retention

Physical Requirements

• Regular walking throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Occasional travel as required.