First Line Supervisor

• My Match

Are your leadership skills sharp? Does the idea of a desk job make your face wrinkle? A job as a First Line Supervisor allows you to put your leadership skills to work while working out on the production floor. You'll be among the excitement and action of the manufacturing process all day. You’ll assign tasks, train new employees, and make sure employees and products meet safety and quality standards.

A front line supervisor works with process environment employees and upper-level management. You will create schedules, inspect work areas and tools, investigate accidents, and test completed work. Fostering teamwork is an important responsibility. You’ll listen to employee complaints and help to resolve issues. You may hold employee training sessions to ensure that every worker is updated on safety and company rules.

Your job will be to monitor employee and equipment performance. If there is a maintenance issue, you will report it and make sure it is repaired. You’ll perform proper equipment use and perform quality checks on equipment and products. Any issue on the floor will be immediately reported to you. It’s your job to fix it or find the right employee for the task.

Front Line Supervisors are usually promoted from within. An understanding of the industry and 3-5 years supervisory or lead experience at a chemical plant will make you a perfect candidate for the job.

Critical Skills

• Coordination with Multiple Departments
• Deliver Visual, Written, and Oral Instructions
• Leadership
• Machine Monitoring and Control
• Maintain Equipment
• Operations Analysis and Monitoring
• Process Management
• Supervisory Practices
• Train and Motivate Others

Key Responsibilities

• Enforce safety regulations
• Perform line walks to ensure standardized work is being followed
• Plan work schedules and assign duties to staff
• Perform quality checks on equipment and products
• Collaborate with workers and managers to solve problems
• Explain work orders to employees
• Evaluate and report on employee performance
• Prepare records of employee time and wages, daily receipts, or inspection results

Specific job titles and duties vary by employer so check for details.