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Production Supervisor Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Production Supervisor interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you encourage the team to stay safe on the production floor? See answer
  2. What are three critical qualities you look for when hiring a new employee? See answer
  3. How do you handle your mistakes at work? See answer
  4. How has your academic background prepared you as a production supervisor? See answer
  5. What supervisory training have you completed? See answer
  6. How would you describe your leadership style on the production floor? See answer
  7. How has your supervisory style changed over time? See answer
  8. How do you resolve disagreements between employees? See answer
  9. What relevant software are you familiar with using for the production process? See answer
  10. How do you develop a highly effective production team? See answer
  11. Describe a time you had to discipline an employee. See answer
  12. What types of equipment and machinery do you have experience using? See answer
  13. Why are you interested in working for our company as a production supervisor? See answer
  14. What would your previous colleagues or employees say about you?
  15. Describe a time you improved the supply chain’s productivity.
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Production Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

What would your previous colleagues say about you?

The goal of the question is to allow the candidate to express their strongest qualities and characteristics. You can confirm their answers when completing reference checks from their past employers. What to look for in an answer:

  • Practical communication skills to express thoughts and concepts to others
  • Interpersonal skills to treat team members with respect
  • Leadership and management skills to develop and manage a team

Example:

"I think my previous colleagues would describe me as dedicated, hard-working, and willing to lead by example. They'd say I was fair in my expectations and they'd likely highlight my mentorship. I liked to support people in my areas of expertise, such as quality control procedures and analyzing efficient work processes."

How do you encourage the team to stay safe on the production floor?

A production supervisor must ensure that everyone follows safety protocols. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to promote a safe work environment, and their knowledge of safety guidelines. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to lead by example and exhibit safe work practises at all times
  • Communication skills to explain the importance of safety and train others effectively
  • Ability to provide direction and disciplinary action when necessary

Example:

"As a production supervisor, it's my responsibility to lead by example and constantly promote safety as a top priority. For example, I always wear my protective equipment, such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and work gloves. I publicly reward and recognise good habits when I see team members consistently abiding by safety regulations."

What are three critical qualities you look for when hiring a new employee?

A production supervisor may assist the human resources department in hiring production team members. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's confidence or experience with interviewing, and what they value in their team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask crucial questions in the interviewing process
  • Understanding of the values and skills that make a suitable addition to the production team
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with others in a short period

Example:

"When hiring for a production position, the three qualities I look for are reliability, work ethic, and company fit. I can always train someone on the specific skills needed to work in the production plant. So I look for candidates with characteristics and soft skills that make them an excellent match."

How do you handle your mistakes at work?

Mistakes are inevitable in the workplace. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate acknowledges and finds solutions to errors. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to take responsibility
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the best action to correct a mistake
  • Communication skills to bring mistakes to management's attention

Example:

"I have a policy that it's better to admit your mistakes than try to cover them up. If I make an error at work, I let my manager know what happened and how I plan to fix the problem. This way, I'm accountable for the error and the correction. I use mistakes as a learning opportunity to improve my performance in the future."

How has your academic background prepared you as a production supervisor?

Depending on your industry and company, you may require a production supervisor candidate to have a specific academic background. It also reveals any relevant training certificates the candidate may possess. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's relevant formal education and training. What to look for in an answer:

  • Meets the company-specific academic requirements
  • Relevant training certifications
  • Ability to adapt their skills and experience to a new role

Example:

"I have a business administration degree. This prepared me for a supervisory position by giving me the knowledge of best practises in areas such as financial budgeting, leadership skills, and organizing an efficient production schedule. I also have valuable on-the-job production experience which makes me a good fit for the role."

What supervisory training have you completed?

You may require a successful candidate to have both supervisory experience and training. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's level of academic knowledge and best practises with supervisory skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to adapt academic knowledge to real-life situations
  • Ambition to take part in professional development
  • Leadership and responsibility

Example:

"In my previous position, I took several leadership and supervisory courses at the local community college. I've complete training in coaching, disciplinary action, effective communication skills, and performance evaluations."

How would you describe your leadership style on the production floor?

A production supervisor needs to both manage and lead their production team. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's opinion of their unique style of leadership and whether it suits the work environment. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to develop and manage a high-performing production team
  • Confidence and communication skills to provide clear direction and guidance
  • Interpersonal skills to treat employees with respect and dignity

Example:

"I'd like to think that my leadership style is open and approachable. I like to lead by providing guidance and mentoring my team to become proficient and excellent at their jobs. I encourage my team to set big goals and am happy to help them plan their career with the company."

How has your supervisory style changed over time?

With experience and time, a production supervisor typically adjusts or matures their management style. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to provide unbiased self-evaluation of their skills and abilities. What to look for in an answer:

  • Adaptability in different situations and circumstances
  • Ability to reflect and evaluate personal performance
  • Enthusiasm for taking part in professional development

Example:

"The more experience I gained in my previous production supervisor role, the more I trusted my team to do their jobs effectively. I've become more collabourative and less authoritarian. It's my job to provide direction and support to the team, and I like to create a welcoming environment."

How do you resolve disagreements between employees?

A production supervisor needs to create a strong team atmosphere and mediate disagreements when they arise. The goal of the question is to evaluatethe candidate's ability to resolve conflict in the workplace. What to look for in an answer:

  • Practical communication skills to ask questions, clarify responses, and mediate discussions
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with team members
  • Ability to remain unbiased when resolving conflict between others

Example:

"When there's a conflict between two employees, I always offer to mediate a private discussion. I create a safe environment for both sides to express their frustration and I provide my unbiased opinion. Through constructive communication and collabouration, we come to a mutual agreement. Then we can find a solution to the problem, and they can continue to work together in harmony."

What relevant software are you familiar with using for the production process?

A production supervisor needs to have proficient computer literacy skills. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's experience with using computer programmes and company or industry-specific software. What to look for in an answer:

  • Proficient use of computers with programmes such as word processing, spreadsheets and email
  • Specific industry or company-specific software for production scheduling or other duties
  • Willingness to take part in ongoing training and professional development

Example:

"I'm fully fluent in the Microsoft Office suite. I use Excel daily to keep track of production goals and team performance. I've also used several ERP software programmes for production planning and job costing. For example, I have experience with Katana and Oracle Netsuite."

How do you develop a highly effective production team?

A successful production supervisor must motivate a highly effective production team. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to team build and encourage employees. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to build an effective team by hiring the best candidates for open positions
  • Communication skills to express the company's vision and goals
  • Ability to motivate team members and encourage professional development

Example:

"The first step to creating a high-performing team is motivation. I believe in rewards and recognition, so I ensure to acknowledge my team members for their hard work. The direction and motivation of a team need to come from the top-down, so I set individual and team goals as encouragement. The second step is..."

Describe a time you had to discipline an employee.

A production supervisor handles the management and discipline of the employees within their team. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's ability to take disciplinary action when necessary. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to focus on the actions of the individual and develop constructive solutions
  • Communication skills to provide clear expectations and outcomes
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with team members and provide guidance and direction

Example:

"I had a team member who was habitually late for their shift. I sat down with the person and I asked questions to find out why they were constantly late. I also provided clear expectations of what I needed them to do. Then I..."

What types of equipment and machinery do you have experience using?

Depending on the company, you may require a production supervisor to be hands-on and working with their team daily. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's experience with production machinery and equipment. What to look for in an answer:

  • Company or industry-specific experience operating and using machinery and equipment
  • Training certifications in using specific equipment
  • Willingness to take part in training and professional development

Example:

"I have experience using a variety of production equipment and machinery. For example, I'm certified in counterbalance forklift and reach truck usage. I have experience with basic hand tools, power tools, and larger manufacturing tools, including industrial sheet metal rollers."

Describe a time you improved productivity.

A production supervisor handles the quality and productivity of their team. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to identify areas of improvement in production and implement new practises. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify areas of improvement
  • Creative thinking and analytical skills to develop new processes that increase productivity
  • Interpersonal and communication skills to implement an idea within the team

Example:

"In my previous position, I noticed there was a major delay between two manufacturing processes. This resulted in a backlog of production and slowed down the entire process. Once I analysed the situation, I determined that the cause was a lack of communication between the metalworking and paint departments. So I..."

Why are you interested in working for our company as a production supervisor?

A strong candidate researches the organisation before their interview to gain insight into its vision, values, and industry. The question's goal is to determine what the candidate knows about the company and how their experience can contribute to its success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to express ideas and concepts effectively
  • Ability to adapt experience to benefit the current situation
  • Proactive and prepared for the interview

Example:

"I'm interested in working for ABC Manufacturing because of your stellar reputation in the industry. Your company is renowned for the quality of work you produce. You also have an excellent training and development programme, and I can see myself advancing my career within your company."

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