Production Supervisor

Reports to:  Assistant Production Manager

Job Purpose

The overall purpose of the job is to supervise and coordinate production teams and production processes to deliver agreed output safely, efficiently and on time, while ensuring product quality, food safety, hygiene, waste control and compliance with organisational and regulatory standards.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations to achieve agreed output, quality, efficiency and compliance targets.
  
• Monitor machines, production lines, and process indicators to ensure operators follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  
• Plan work schedules, team assignments and processing sequences to meet production targets efficiently.
  
• Inspect materials, products, and equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
  
• Maintain accurate production, time, cost and performance records, and prepare reports that support operational decision-making.
  
• Inspect work areas for hygiene and safety, ensuring the effective operation, efficiency and maintenance of process machinery and tools in line with organisational standards.
  
• Coordinate the supply of raw materials to the required production lines on a timely basis.
  
• Document and maintain records of raw materials, in-process, and finished products.
  
• Ensure machinery and tools are cleaned using approved sanitisers in line with SOPs.
  
• Supervise production activities to meet organisational and regulatory specifications and standards.
  
• Confirm that maintenance activities have been completed on all production machinery and equipment.
  
• Review production orders and schedules to confirm quantities, specifications and delivery dates, and plan production operations accordingly.
  
• Analyse quality reports to determine compliance with product specifications and coordinate with the Assistant Production Manager on required adjustments.
  
• Monitor packaging of finished products, conduct random weight checks, verify labelling details (e.g., manufacture date, batch number, expiry date), and ensure packaging meets standards.
  
• Deliver production output on time with minimal wastage, while maintaining product quality, food safety and compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements.
  
• Analyse production performance data, investigate process issues, identify solutions, recommend corrective actions and ensure implementation.
  
• Liaise with the maintenance team to ensure breakdowns are escalated and resolved promptly to minimise downtime and production delays.
  
• Update the Assistant Production Manager on daily activities, discuss challenges, recommend solutions and implement corrective measures promptly.
  
• Ensure compliance with all applicable food safety standards.
  
• Verify all applicable Critical Control Points (CCPs), Operational Prerequisite Programmes (OPRPs), and Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs).
  
• Conduct monthly stock takes and ensure physical stock reconciles with the system records.
  
• Enforce workplace hygiene and sanitation by conducting safety and hygiene checklist audits before and after shifts.
  
• Deploy, engage and motivate the production team to maximise productivity, maintain discipline and achieve shift performance targets.
  
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Assistant Production Manager from time to time.

Key performance indicators

Key performance indicators include production plan adherence, output achievement, yield and wastage control, downtime escalation, quality conformance, food safety compliance, hygiene and sanitation audit performance, stock accuracy, labour deployment effectiveness and team performance.

Working relationships

Internal Relationships: Stores, Warehouse, Utilities, Electricians, Engineering, Quality, EHS, HR and Maintenance

External Relationships: Suppliers, contractors, service providers and regulatory bodies, where applicable.

Knowledge, experience and qualifications required

• Diploma in Food Science, Production Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field from a recognised institution.
  
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role within a production environment, preferably in food processing.
  
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, CCPs, OPRPs, PRPs, hygiene standards and production documentation requirements.

Competencies

Technical and behavioural competencies

• Good knowledge of production processes, machinery and equipment.
  
• Understanding of food safety standards and regulations.
  
• Knowledge of workplace safety regulations, including chemical handling, sanitiser usage, and waste disposal.
  
• Familiarity with emergency production stop procedures.
  
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills.
  
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
  
• Ability to supervise, coach, deploy and motivate production teams to achieve shift targets while maintaining discipline, safety and quality standards.

Responsibility for finances and physical assets

• The job holder has no direct responsibility for finances but is accountable for assigned work tools, production equipment, materials, in-process stock, finished products and stocks under their supervision.

Decision-making

• The jobholder makes routine operational decisions relating to production activities within approved policies and delegated authority, with major decisions referred to the Assistant Production Manager.

Information

• The job requires a normal level of confidentiality.

Working Conditions

Working Environment: The job holder is exposed to typical factory conditions, including production floor activity, noise, wet areas, cleaning chemicals, temperature variation and moving machinery.

Job Hazards: The job holder is exposed to production-related hazards, including slips, trips, moving machinery, wet floors, noise, cleaning chemicals and minor accident risks. Safety procedures and personal protective equipment must be followed at all times.