Machinery assembly supervisor

Machinery assembly supervisor article illustration

Description

Machinery assembly supervisors monitor the machinery assembly process. They train and coach assembly workers to achieve production goals.

Here are some of the duties of an assembly supervisor:

  • Supervising a manufacturing production line that assembles fabricated parts
  • Creating daily work schedules, following standard manufacturing procedures, and monitoring work to meet product specifications and production targets
  • Resolving production problems and answering workers’ questions about processes, methods, or equipment
  • Delivering training for new processes or equipment and onboarding new employees
  • Conducting quality testing on completed assemblies to validate tolerances and product specifications
  • Reviewing daily assembly production records to identify trends or potential performance issues
  • Scheduling and overall supervision and coordination of assembly associates and activities
  • Working with other departments to ensure daily assembly targets and quality standards are achieved.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to machinery assembly supervisor:

leading machinist
lead machine operative
machine charge hand
machine team leader

Working conditions

Machinery assembly supervisors typically work in manufacturing facilities, production plants, or assembly workshops. The work environment may involve exposure to machinery, tools, and potentially hazardous materials, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The role may involve standing or walking for extended periods and may require occasional lifting or carrying of heavy machinery components. Working hours may vary and may include shifts, weekends, or overtime to accommodate production demands or project deadlines.

Minimum qualifications

The educational requirements for a machinery assembly supervisor may vary depending on the industry and employer. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, although some employers may prefer candidates with post-secondary education or vocational training in mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or a related field. Previous experience in machinery assembly or a similar role is essential to possess a comprehensive understanding of assembly techniques, machinery components, and quality control processes. Strong technical skills, the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications, and proficiency in using assembly tools and equipment are crucial. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are also necessary to effectively supervise and coordinate the work of assembly technicians.

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.

Machinery assembly supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Machinery assembly supervisor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to machinery assembly supervisor.

wood assembly supervisor
machine operator supervisor
container equipment assembly supervisor
paper mill supervisor
wood production supervisor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of machinery assembly supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of machinery assembly supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

wood factory manager
quality engineer
industrial production manager
quality services manager
chemical plant manager

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of machinery assembly supervisor.

  • 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.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of machinery assembly 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.
  • Oversee production requirements: Oversee production processes and prepare all the resources needed to maintain an efficient and continuous flow of production.
  • Ensure quality of final product: Ensure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Oversee assembly operations: Give technical instructions to assembly workers and control their progress to ensure compliance with quality standards and to check that the goals set in the production plan are met.
  • Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Manage resources: Manage personnel, machinery and equipment in order to optimise production results, in accordance with the policies and plans of the company.
  • Communicate problems to senior colleagues: Communicate and give feedback to senior colleagues in the event of problems or non-conformities.
  • 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.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Coordinate communication within a team: Collect contact info for all team members and decide on modes of communication.
  • 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.
  • Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of machinery assembly supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • 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.
  • 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 machinery assembly 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.
  • Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
  • Undertake inspections: Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.
  • Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
  • Oversee logistics of finished products: Ensure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Liaise with quality assurance: Work closely with the relevant quality assurance or grading party involved.
  • 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.
  • Send faulty equipment back to assembly line: Send equipment that didn’t pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  1. Machinery assembly supervisor – ESCO
  2. Featured image: By Vitaly V. Kuzmin – http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/492, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated on May 31, 2023