Supervisor, Production

About the job

Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who we want:
The Production Supervisor is responsible for leading and developing a team of Production Operators while ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality production of manufactured products. This position oversees daily operations within the production department, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures production targets, quality standards, and customer expectations are achieved.

• What You’ll Do:
• Observe and comply with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and statutory requirements associated with this job description.
• Lead and supervise Production Operators and Team Leaders to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production operations.
• Plan, organize, and direct daily production activities to meet customer requirements and departmental objectives.
• Monitor production schedules and staffing levels to ensure customer delivery expectations are achieved.
• Drive accountability for safety performance and ensure all employees adhere to company safety policies, procedures, and standards.
• Conduct shift meetings to communicate production goals, quality concerns, safety updates, and operational priorities.
• Train, coach, mentor, and develop employees to improve performance, engagement, and career growth opportunities.
• Complete employee performance evaluations and provide regular feedback regarding productivity, attendance, quality, and workplace behaviors.
• Address employee concerns and administer corrective actions in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Ensure all products are produced in compliance with work instructions, quality standards, customer specifications, and inspection requirements.
• Monitor production metrics including efficiency, scrap, downtime, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Investigate production disruptions and implement corrective actions to minimize lost productivity.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering teams to resolve equipment issues and improve manufacturing processes.
• Support root cause analysis activities related to quality, safety, delivery, and operational performance concerns.
• Review and maintain production reports, labor records, quality documentation, and performance metrics.
• Ensure proper staffing and coordinate cross-training activities to support operational flexibility.
• Promote and maintain 5S standards and a clean, organized work environment throughout the production area.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, cost reduction, delivery performance, and operational efficiency.
• Support internal audits, customer visits, and compliance activities as required.
• Partner with Human Resources regarding employee relations, hiring, onboarding, attendance management, and workforce development.
• Foster a positive team environment built on communication, accountability, teamwork, and respect.
• Utilize ERP and manufacturing systems to monitor production performance and support operational decision-making.
• Maintain Forklift, LOTO, and other required certifications while ensuring team compliance with all required training.
• Fill in operational gaps as necessary to ensure uninterrupted production flow.
• All other duties as assigned.
• When and Where:
• This will be an 2nd Shift / 1:00PM to 10:00PM, M-F position located at our Plant in Spartanburg, SC

Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.

• What You Need to Have:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Business, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years minimum manufacturing experience required.
• 2 years minimum leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with robotic welding equipment and automated manufacturing processes preferred.
• Strong understanding of welding quality standards, inspection methods, and production controls.
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing documents, work instructions, welding specifications, and quality requirements.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production reporting software preferred.
• Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Must acquire and maintain Forklift and LOTO certifications as required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the plant.
• May require lifting up to 30 pounds.
• English proficiency.