Also called: Shift Supervisor, First-Line Supervisor, Area Manager
Leads a team of operators on one shift, making sure the line hits its goals safely.
You start your shift with a huddle, assign people to stations and check that yesterday's machine problem is fixed. All day you're solving small crises: someone called in sick, a part ran out, a quality alert came up. At the end of the shift you hand off to the next supervisor with notes.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High-school diploma plus experience on the line; many plants also hire new college grads as supervisors.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Industrial Technology, Industrial Management, Business Administration.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). BLS projects little change.
Low risk for 10 years. AI scheduling and dashboards help, but leading a shift of people and handling problems live stays human.
Classes: Business class, Manufacturing CTE, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-1011.
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