Production Supervisor

Introduction

We are looking for a technically astute Production Supervisor to supervise and coordinate the daily activities of a production team within a manufacturing and packaging environment, ensuring that output targets are met safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standard. The Production Supervisor is also responsible for the care, correct operation, and first-line maintenance of production machinery, and for enforcing proper equipment handling practices across the team. Duties & Responsibilities

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.

Desired Experience & Qualification

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.