Operations Supervisor

Thermo Fisher Scientific•Mebane, NC

About The Position

Position Summary: The Manufacturing Supervisor oversees daily production operations to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency goals are achieved. This role provides hands-on leadership to a team of production associates, technicians, material handlers, and operators, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), production schedules, and continuous improvement initiatives. The supervisor acts as a key link between the production floor and management, fostering teamwork, accountability, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred
Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
5+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Knowledge of Lean principles, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies
Ability to interpret production data and drive data-driven decision-making
Proficient in ERP/MES systems (SAP) and basic Microsoft Office tools
Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities

Nice To Haves

Experience in high-volume or automated manufacturing environments preferred.
Background in plastic injection molding, machining, or assembly operations is a plus.
Experience with Plastic Injection molding and/or heavy automation is a plus

Responsibilities

Supervise day-to-day manufacturing activities to meet production targets for safety, quality, cost, and delivery
Assign work, monitor progress, and adjust priorities based on real-time production needs
Maintain a visible presence on the production floor to support, coach, and motivate team members
Coordinate with maintenance, engineering, and quality departments to resolve equipment or process issues
Ensure all work is performed in compliance with company standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines (e.g., ISO, GMP, IATF 16949)
Enforce proper documentation practices, including batch records, quality checks, and line clearances
Support root cause analysis, corrective actions (CAPA), and continuous quality improvement
Promote a culture of safety by enforcing proper use of PPE, machine guarding, and safe work procedures
Lead daily tiered meetings and huddles and ensure prompt actions to improve metrics
Support environmental sustainability initiatives and compliance with EHS regulations
Lead, train, and mentor production team members to ensure skill development and engagement
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching and feedback
Foster a positive, team-oriented environment that emphasizes accountability, respect, and continuous learning
Drive Lean manufacturing (PPI) and 5S initiatives to eliminate waste and improve efficiency
Participate in cross-functional kaizen events and problem-solving teams
Identify opportunities for process improvements and support implementation of automation or technology upgrades
Track and report production metrics including yield, downtime, scrap, and efficiency.
Communicate production status, issues, and improvement plans to management and other stakeholders.
Ensure smooth shift-to-shift transitions through thorough documentation and shift handoffs.