What is a Mechanical Supervisor?

The main duty of a Mechanical Supervisor is to oversee repair and installation work conducted by mechanics in various industries. A Mechanical Supervisor conducts inspections, ensures that safety procedures are being adhered to and maintains inventory of machine parts. He or she will create work performance reports, document the production of mechanics and hire and discipline employees as needed.

Mechanical Supervisors are mainly employed in production or manufacturing; examples include car manufacturers, aircraft maintenance or machine shops. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for industrial production managers, including Mechanical Supervisors, is expected to decline 4 percent over the 2014-2024 period. A continued trend in outsourcing production jobs to other countries plays a role in this projected decline.

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Mechanical Supervisor Duties and Responsibilities

Mechanical Supervisors must manage various tasks to find success in this position. We looked at several job listings and other resources and found the following to be core Mechanical Supervisor duties and responsibilities.

Oversee Mechanics Schedules and Job Orders

One of the main responsibilities of a Mechanical Supervisor is to assign jobs to mechanics and create schedules to ensure that coverage for possible machine breakdowns is maintained at all times. Mechanical Supervisors will also oversee the training of mechanics.

Evaluate Mechanics Work and Performance

Mechanical Supervisors inspect machinery installed and repaired by mechanics. They maintain logs of machine repair and maintenance, conduct job performance assessments and keep track of mechanic production.

Ensure Compliance with Safety Practices

A main responsibility of Mechanical Supervisors is to review the safety practices of mechanics and ensure that all employees are following company and federal safety guidelines. Mechanical Supervisors will design safety programs and conduct safety training.

Maintain Inventory

A Mechanical Supervisor must ensure that parts for repairs and installation are kept on hand at all times. This will involve keeping inventory records and ordering parts as needed.

Mechanical Supervisor Skills

To be successful in this field, a Mechanical Supervisor must possess strong organizational, problem solving and verbal and written communication skills. They should be detail-oriented leaders who can meet deadlines and work with diverse employees. It is important that Mechanical Supervisors possess the ability to work independently, with little or no supervision. In addition to these abilities, potential employers might seek Mechanical Supervisors with the following skills.

Core skills Based on job listings and other sources we analyzed, employers want Mechanical Supervisors with these core skills. If you want to work in this field, focus on the following.

Inspecting mechanics’ repairs and installations
Analyzing mechanics’ work performance
Overseeing safety program and procedures
Maintaining parts inventory

Advanced skills While most employers did not require the following skills, multiple job listings included them as preferred. Add these to your Mechanical Supervisor toolbox and broaden your career options.

Familiarity with CAD software
Understand basic computer applications and programs

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Mechanical Supervisor Salary

The BLS states that Industrial Production Managers earn a median annual salary of $93,940 in the U.S., with those in the lowest 10 percent of the pay scale earning $56,640 and those in the upper 90 percentile making $162,240 per year. Industries that pay the highest annual mean wage include pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical manufacturing and tobacco manufacturing. Industrial production managers or Mechanical Supervisors employed in Delaware are paid the highest annual mean wage in the U.S. at $137,320, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey ($125,630 and $125,380, respectively).

Mechanical Supervisor Resources

Below you will find several resources we have provided that will help you further explore what it means to be a Mechanical Supervisor. Links include those to professional organizations, publications and blogs.

On the Web

MAC Incorporated Blog

Hosted by a recruiting firm specializing in production, this blog offers articles focusing on management practices and trends in the industrial industry.

Winman Advanced ERP Systems Blog

Mechanical Supervisors can find many helpful articles focusing on management software and practices relevant to the industrial field in this blog.

Manufacturing Today

An online magazine offering articles about successful management practices and trends that could be of interest to Mechanical Supervisors and similar occupations.

Industry Groups

Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)

A professional organization offering educational and professional development materials and programs that could help Mechanical Supervisors build expert skills.

Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)

Mechanical Supervisors and other mid and uppermanagement personnel in the production or manufacturing industries can attend conferences or seminars, refer to online training materials or take part in workshops that are designed to help them improve their professional practices.

Books

Industrial Production Manager Career (Special Edition): The Insider’s Guide to Finding a Job at an Amazing Firm, Acing the Interview & Getting Promoted

A book detailing what is entailed in pursuing a career as a Mechanical Supervisor.

Maintenance Manager’s Standard Manual 2 Sub Edition

A comprehensive look at how Mechanical Supervisors and other types of managers can oversee maintenance work through planning, scheduling and other practices.

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