1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. First Line Supervisors Of Production And Operating Workers
  4. Required Skills Responsibilities Activities

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Occupation Detailed Description

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

The main tasks and work activities of First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers are to enforce rules or regulations, direct operational or production activities, study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements, exchange information with colleagues. In general, for the First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, speaking, active Listening, management of Personnel Resources, time Management and other 17 skills are required.
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers jobs. 32.83% of First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 11.60% of First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
14.17%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
32.83%
Post-Secondary Certificate
11.60%
Some College Courses
14.96%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
13.62%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
12.82%

Tasks and Work Activities of First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

  • Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators.
  • 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.
  • Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
  • Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
  • Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
  • Observe work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards.
  • Confer with management or subordinates to resolve worker problems, complaints, or grievances.
  • Interpret specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers.
  • Maintain operations data, such as time, production, and cost records, and prepare management reports of production results.
  • Recommend or implement measures to motivate employees and to improve production methods, equipment performance, product quality, or efficiency.
  • Determine standards, budgets, production goals, and rates, based on company policies, equipment and labor availability, and workloads.
  • Requisition materials, supplies, equipment parts, or repair services.
  • Set up and adjust machines and equipment.
  • Calculate labor and equipment requirements and production specifications, using standard formulas.
  • Plan and develop new products and production processes.
  • Conduct employee training in equipment operations or work and safety procedures, or assign employee training to experienced workers.
  • Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
  • Recommend or execute personnel actions, such as hirings, evaluations, or promotions.
  • Evaluate employee performance.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Coaching and Developing OthersIdentifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Enforce rules or regulations.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
  • Exchange information with colleagues.
  • Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
  • Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
  • Determine metal or plastic production methods.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Install equipment attachments or components.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
  • Perform human resources activities.
  • Evaluate employee performance.

Skills and Abilities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Management of Personnel ResourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • NegotiationBringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Hard hatse.g. Hard hats
  • Laser printerse.g. Laser printers
  • Scannerse.g. Laser scanners
  • Notebook computerse.g. Notebook computers
  • Touch screen monitorse.g. Operator terminals
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Hazardous material protective apparele.g. Personal protective clothing
  • Respiratorse.g. Respirators
  • Safety glassese.g. Safety glasses
  • Safety shoese.g. Safety shoes
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesKnowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.