21st Century Manufacturing Supervisors and Their Historical Roots

Abstract

This article provides a perspective of the past and present roles of the manufacturing supervisor with a specific focus on new skills requirements. Within the structure of manufacturing management, the supervisor plays a key role in implementing today's complex automated manufacturing technologies. The supervisor is at the bottom of the management pyramid--the one with upfront responsibility for machines, equipment, and tools, and for those who use them to produce a product. Because many manufacturing firms use automation technologies in their competitive strategy, production employees must know the meaning of the latest acronyms and they must be technologically literate in them. These complex requirements in employee-technology relationships have made an impact on the role of supervision. It has changed from that of directing and controlling employees to that of effectively leading the improvement of employee performance. This new leadership role for supervisors can best be