What Is a First Line Supervisor and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A first line supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily work activities of production workers and operators in a manufacturing facility. The types of workers you oversee include inspectors, precision workers, machine setters, assemblers, and fabricators. Your job duties include enforcing safety regulations, coordinating the daily production activities of the various workers, and inspecting materials and finished products for defects. You also work with plant supervisors to establish schedules and production targets. This job is found in any production-focused industry such as automotive, technology, shipping warehouses, and other assembly line type facilities.

The qualifications for this career begin with a high school diploma or an equivalent certification such as a GED. Having an undergraduate degree in a field such as production processing, business management, or engineering can be beneficial in separating you from other job seeking candidates. It would also be beneficial to gain skills and experience by working in a related position such as a production operator, machine setter, or assembler. You need to possess critical thinking skills and be able to communicate effectively with both management and production workers.