Production Supervisor

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

Responsible for the efficient operation of Manufacturing Department, the direction of the plant work force and the meeting of daily production schedules. Supervises and coordinates activities of Leaders and workers. Verifies correct manufacturing processes are adhered to. Works with other operators, engineers and quality personnel to identify and resolve potential customer issues.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and enforce company policies, procedures, and work standards for production leaders and employees.
• Provide leadership and direction for employees across two production shifts.
• Establish and maintain a safe workplace through employee involvement, safety training, and accountability.
• Investigate safety incidents, near misses, and injuries, and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor daily production performance and ensure achievement of production, quality, and efficiency targets.
• Lead daily shift meetings and communicate expectations, goals, and operational priorities.
• Manage employee attendance, timekeeping, vacation requests, and staffing requirements.
• Develop and promote positive employee relations through effective communication and leadership presence on the production floor.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Support employee development through training, cross training, succession planning, and skills development programs.
• Analyze production issues and implement corrective actions to improve safety, quality, productivity, and delivery performance.
• Coordinate activities with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Materials departments to optimize production flow.
• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement activities.
• Review labor utilization and deploy resources effectively to meet operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all quality standards and manufacturing procedures.
• Drive accountability for workplace organization, housekeeping, and 5S initiatives

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct production leaders and manufacturing employees across two shifts.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, Scrap, Overtime, and Labor Efficiency.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production methods, equipment utilization, and manufacturing processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles and problem-solving techniques.
• Maintain accurate production records and performance reports.
• Support inventory accuracy efforts, cycle counts, and material control processes.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to address equipment downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Partner with Engineering on process improvements, product changes, and implementation of engineering revisions.
• Ensure production schedules are completed safely, efficiently, and on time.
• Drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience managing multiple shifts, leading hourly production employees, and driving operational performance metrics strongly preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills preferred to effectively lead and engage a diverse manufacturing workforce
• Experience supervising multiple production lines, departments, or shifts preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, employee development, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to prepare, analyze, and communicate production and operational metrics.
• Effective communication skills via written and oral
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Root Cause Analysis, and 5S methodologies preferred.
• Proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office.
• Valid Forklift Certification preferred.

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.
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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status.

We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.