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Career Details
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Career Details

51-1011.00 - First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers


Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
606,900
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
588,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
-18,700
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-3.1%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators.
  • Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.
  • Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
  • Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
  • Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
  • Observe work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards.
  • Confer with management or subordinates to resolve worker problems, complaints, or grievances.
  • Interpret specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers.
  • Maintain operations data, such as time, production, and cost records, and prepare management reports of production results.
  • Recommend or implement measures to motivate employees and to improve production methods, equipment performance, product quality, or efficiency.
  • Determine standards, budgets, production goals, and rates, based on company policies, equipment and labor availability, and workloads.
  • Requisition materials, supplies, equipment parts, or repair services.
  • Set up and adjust machines and equipment.
  • Calculate labor and equipment requirements and production specifications, using standard formulas.
  • Plan and develop new products and production processes.
  • Conduct employee training in equipment operations or work and safety procedures, or assign employee training to experienced workers.
  • Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
  • Recommend or execute personnel actions, such as hirings, evaluations, or promotions.
  • Evaluate employee performance.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Production and Processing
  • 87%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Administration and Management
  • 82%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 72%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 English Language
  • 70%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 65%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Mathematics
  • 65%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Clerical
  • 64%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Mechanical
  • 63%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Education and Training
  • 63%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 62%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 59%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 59%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Design
  • 57%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Psychology
  • 51%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Building and Construction
  • 51%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
 Computer printers
  • Laser printers
 Computer displays
  • Operator terminals
 Safety apparel
  • Personal protective clothing
 Safety footwear
  • Safety shoes
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Apple Pages
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software
 Network applications software
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Mozilla Firefox
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Aptean Made2ManageHOT
  • Bowen & Groves M1 ERPHOT
  • Capterra Enterprise Resource PlanningHOT
  • Delphi Technology
  • Encompix ERPHOT
  • Epicor Vantage ERPHOT
  • Epicor Vista ERPHOT
  • Exact MAXHOT
  • Giraffe Production Systems Giraffe Schedule SystemHOT
  • Intacct ERPHOT
  • Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
  • Microsoft AxaptaHOT
  • NetSuite NetERPHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Resource planning softwareHOT
  • Retain Resource PlanningHOT
  • SAPHOT
  • SAP Business OneHOT
  • SYSPROHOT
  • Technology Group International Enterprise 21 ERPHOT
  • Timekeeping software
  • Work Technology WorkTech Time
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • CAD/CAMHOT
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • MinitabHOT
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Database software
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Total Quality Control Management
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Development software
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
 Business function specific software
  • GHG Clockwise
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • Integrated materials management systems
  • Inventory management software
  • Materials management software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • QA Software QMS Materials Management
  • Total quality management TQM software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
Eastern Shore Community College
Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Gateway Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Paul D. Camp Community College
Rappahannock Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College