Assembly Supervisor in Surrey

The Shop Floor Supervisor is responsible for the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of their department. Leading from the front, the Supervisor manages people, performance and workflow to assist the manager in achieving the department goals, while promoting lean principles and contributing to continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role within a project-driven manufacturing environment, requiring strong decision-making, clear communication and the ability to manage fluctuating demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Production & Performance Management: Ensure a thorough understanding of the production targets, delivery commitments and Departmental KPIs and support the manager in ensuring these are met. Monitor daily and weekly performance, identifying deviations and taking corrective or improvement action promptly where appropriate or escalating to manager to take action accordingly. Observe activity with a focus on improved performance and productivity at the forefront of all processes, including reviewing takt times as required. Work with Chargehands and Planning to oversee workflow, minimise downtime and reduce waste. Understand and apply push/pull manufacturing principles appropriate to a variable, project-based environment.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean: Embed lean manufacturing principles into daily operations. Identify and communicate opportunities for efficiency, waste reduction and process improvement. Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring changes are sustained.
• People Leadership & Development: Lead, motivate and manage shop-floor operatives, including on-the-job performance management, annual appraisals, and day-to-day support. Develop individual capability and confidence on-the-job to improve productivity in the team. Liaise with agencies to arrange the appropriate level of temp resources as requested and approved by the manager. Handle day-to-day personnel matters and engagement issues. Raise with the manager any potential performance shortfalls or issues arising that might require formal processes to be initiated.
• Quality, Safety & Standards: Ensure quality standards, inspection processes and procedural checks are followed at all times. Communicate quality expectations clearly and act immediately where standards are not met, escalating the issue to the department where necessary. Promote and enforce health, safety and environmental requirements, maintaining a safe, clean and organised working environment. Initiate good housekeeping, 5S and visual management practices across the department.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicate production priorities, performance expectations and key messages clearly to the team. Work collaboratively with other Supervisors and departments, including Factory Planning, Quality, Logistics and Design, to ensure smooth end-to-end operations. Take ownership of decisions within your remit and escalate appropriately when required.
• Systems & Administration: Use ERP/MRP systems effectively to support planning, reporting and material control. Maintain accurate records, documentation and departmental administration relevant to the area (e.g. materials, BOMs, production data).

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience of supervising or leading a team in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong people skills, with the confidence to deal with day-to-day issues as they arise, having difficult conversations in real-time.
• A collaborative, team-focused approach, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organisation.
• Understanding of production planning, scheduling and workflow management.
• An inquisitive and curious approach to work, investigating the 'why' or 'intent' before reaching conclusions.
• Ability and willingness to use ERP/MRP systems and general IT proficiency.
• Sound decision-making skills and accountability for actions within your remit, including the confidence to act without waiting for instruction.
• Self-motivation, flexibility and resilience in a fast-changing, project-driven environment.
• Clear, concise and courteous communication skills.
• Technical understanding relevant to a manufacturing environment (e.g. metal fabrication), aligned to the department.

What Success Looks Like

A successful supervisor delivers results through others and maintains standards in conjunction with, but without constant oversight by, the department manager. A key responsibility in this role is driving continuous improvement resulting in high performance and productivity levels. It is also important to be observant and flexible in order to provide invaluable support to the manager in running the department, as well as standing in for the manager in their absence.