Description
Machine operator supervisors coordinate and direct workers who set up and operate machines. They monitor the production process and the flow of materials, and they make sure that the products meet the requirements.
Duties
Machine operator supervisors typically perform the following duties
- Supervise a team of machine operators, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure smooth operation of machinery and equipment
- Assign work schedules, monitor attendance, and manage staffing requirements to ensure adequate coverage for production needs
- Review production orders, blueprints, and specifications to determine machine setup requirements and production parameters
- Coordinate with production planners and management to prioritize production schedules and meet customer demands
- Monitor machine operations to ensure adherence to production standards, quality control measures, and safety regulations
- Perform routine inspections of machinery and equipment to identify any defects, malfunctions, or maintenance needs
- Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate with maintenance staff for repairs and maintenance activities
- Train machine operators on proper machine setup, operation, and maintenance procedures
- Ensure that operators follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols to minimize accidents and promote a safe working environment
- Monitor production output, scrap rates, and machine downtime to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions
- Collaborate with quality control personnel to address any product quality issues and implement measures to enhance quality assurance
- Maintain accurate records of production output, machine performance, and maintenance activities
- Provide regular performance feedback to machine operators, conduct performance evaluations, and address any performance concerns
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork, morale, and continuous improvement
- Stay updated on industry trends, advancements in machine technology, and best practices in machine operation and supervision
- Collaborate with engineering and production teams to optimize machine setup, improve process efficiency, and implement cost-saving measures
- Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and safety regulations, ensuring a culture of safety and compliance within the team
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to machine operator supervisor:
machine shop supervisor
machine adjuster charge hand
machine setter team leader
lead machinist
leading machinist
manufacturing machine adjuster supervisor
machine and assembly supervisor
machining and assembly supervisor
machining department supervisor
machining and assembly team leader
machine setter supervisor
Working conditions
Machine operator supervisors typically work in manufacturing or production facilities where machinery and equipment are in operation. The work environment can be noisy and may involve exposure to various hazards, requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary. The role may involve standing or walking for extended periods, as well as occasional lifting or moving of equipment or materials. Working hours may include shift work, weekends, and overtime to ensure continuous production operations.
Minimum qualifications
The educational requirements for a machine operator supervisor can vary depending on the industry and employer. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, but some employers may prefer candidates with post-secondary education or vocational training in mechanical or manufacturing engineering. Previous experience as a machine operator or in a related production role is essential to understand the operational aspects of the machinery and equipment. Strong technical and mechanical skills are required to effectively supervise machine operators and troubleshoot equipment issues. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities are also necessary to coordinate team activities, resolve conflicts, and drive productivity.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Machine operator supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.
Machine operator supervisor career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to machine operator supervisor.
machinery assembly supervisor
wood assembly supervisor
paper mill supervisor
container equipment assembly supervisor
precision mechanics supervisor
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of machine operator supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of machine operator supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
wood factory manager
production engineer
quality engineer
quality services manager
welding engineer
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of machine operator supervisor.
- Production processes: Materials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.
- Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
- Functionalities of machinery: The machinery and equipment used and, in particular, the characteristics regarding functioning and calibration to ensure compliance with quality and product specifications, as well as the operator’s safety.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of machine operator supervisor.
- Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
- Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
- Oversee production requirements: Oversee production processes and prepare all the resources needed to maintain an efficient and continuous flow of production.
- Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
- Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
- Ensure quality of final product: Ensure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.
- Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
- Communicate problems to senior colleagues: Communicate and give feedback to senior colleagues in the event of problems or non-conformities.
- Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
- Schedule regular machine maintenance: Schedule and perform regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of all equipment. Order necessary machine parts and upgrade equipment when necessary to ensure optimal performance.
- Follow production schedule: Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.
- Check material resources: Verify that all requested resources are delivered and in good working order. Notify the appropriate person or people of any problems related to technical and material resources.
- Report on production results: Report on production to the hierarchy. Mention a specified set of parameters, such as amount produced and timing, and any issues or unexpected occurrences.
- Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of machine operator supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of machine operator supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
- Perform technically demanding tasks: Perform duties which require particular technical skills such as testing new measuring instruments, developing a program for numerically controlled machines or realising delicate manual work.
- Undertake inspections: Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.
- Oversee quality control: Monitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.
- Identify hazards in the workplace: Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
- Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
- Recruit personnel: Carry out assessment and recruitment of personnel for the production.
- Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
- Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
- Integrate new products in manufacturing: Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
- Provide advice to technicians: Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
- Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
- Liaise with quality assurance: Work closely with the relevant quality assurance or grading party involved.
- Advise on machine maintenance: Advise on all issues related to machinery such as preventive maintenance operations, repair work and the acquisition of new equipment, to help the management team reach its goals and to ensure compliance with the legislation and the customer’s requirements.
- Coordinate communication within a team: Collect contact info for all team members and decide on modes of communication.
- Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
- Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
- Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.
ISCO group and title
3122 – Manufacturing supervisors
References
- Machine operator supervisor – ESCO
- How to Become a Machine Operator Supervisor | Salary.com
- Featured image: Image by 勇峰 廖 from Pixabay