The top skill you need in production or operations

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Production supervisors are the logistical backbones of any facility. From keeping track of workers performing a diverse variety of tasks to determining new ways of increasing efficiency in the workplace, a production supervisor’s job is both fast-paced and meticulous. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, competition for production manager jobs is increasing, so if you’re looking to land a position in this field, you’ll need to highlight the right skills on your resume.

On top of the basic skills required of production supervisors — understanding how different manufacturing roles work together, having a keen sense of the operational demands of the manufacturing process, understanding quality control in order to better train new employees — consider listing one more skill: scheduling. It may seem obvious, but being a brilliant scheduler is difficult. Employers in the manufacturing business rely on their supervisors to plan and maintain tight, efficient schedules, so listing scheduling as a strength may give you an edge in an otherwise competitive applicant pool.

How to include scheduling skills on a resume

Scheduling is an integral part of production supervision. By including scheduling skills on your resume, you'll come across as experienced, organized and ahead of the competition.

What do good scheduling skills look like?

As a production supervisor, you'll oversee a team of manufacturing workers and develop ways to improve processes and procedures to maximize efficiency. At the nexus of these responsibilities are good scheduling tactics: Effective scheduling requires solid organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks and the capacity to understand multiple moving parts.

Scheduling requires delegating tasks to specific employees, which you'll need to do fairly and efficiently. In what order should projects be completed to maximize speed? What measures should be implemented to ensure that quality isn't being sacrificed? Employers don't want supervisors who randomly assign tasks and hope for the best — they want individuals whom they know will consider all of the relevant factors first.

Fortunately, there are many computer programs available to help you communicate with team members, address their needs and concerns, visualize how each workday is divided up and make sure that everyone is working at full capacity. Though you'll need to demonstrate scheduling skills on- and offline, being proficient in or familiar with scheduling programs will only help you stand out in the application process.

Of course, even the most effective scheduling techniques won't work unless you’re able to properly enforce them. As a production supervisor, you need to ensure that everyone (including yourself) stays on time and accountable and that your team members feel supported throughout the duration of a project. Good scheduling not only determines the efficiency of a workday but also ensures time is spent wisely and distributed fairly.

How to include scheduling skills on a resume

Now that you understand what good scheduling skills look like in action, here’s how this translates to what you put on your resume. Think of specific instances when you used scheduling or other organizational skills; these could include projects you previously managed, outings or events you planned, or even personal regimens you stuck to successfully. Additionally, mention familiarity with any scheduling or project management software from previous positions; employers are looking for employees who need as little training as possible. Scheduling skills can manifest in a variety of different ways, so don't be afraid to get creative when it comes to displaying them.

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