CHAPTER 6
WORK CENTER MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY
ASSURANCE
To most personnel, an assignment to a supervisory
position is a welcome challenge. They like the feeling
of the added prestige, authority, and the responsibility
that accompanies the assignment. However, when you
do reach this level, you may soon realize that the
position of Work Center Supervisor is not as easy as
it may have seemed when viewed from another
position.
Each day you may be confronted with many new
problems and situations that require immediate action.
If you know the duties, responsibilities, personnel,
equipment, tools, and job priorities, it will be easier to
function in a supervisory capacity. However, if you
don’t possess this knowledge, your troubles may
multiply at an alarming rate.
A supervisor sets in motion the plans, schedules,
and policies of his superiors. When you become a
supervisor, you are primarily concerned with seeing
that the job is done correctly, safely, and efficiently
with no waste of materials. You will not necessarily
perform the work yourself. You must know your
personnel, know their limitations, assign them the
work to be done, train them to do the best job possible,
and, if necessary, direct them through the performance
of the work. YOU assume the responsibility for seeing
that the job is done, and done right. This role demands
skill, common sense, and mutual respect.
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK
CENTER SUPERVISOR
The first part of this chapter will discuss some of
A specific list of duties and responsibilities can
the general duties and responsibilities of a supervisor
be made concerning only a specific position.
and a few ways to prevent some problems before they
However, listed below are some typical duties and
are problems.
responsibilities common to all work center supervisors:
THE WORK CENTER SUPERVISOR
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the
primary concerns of the work center supervisor.
Describe how the work center layout affects
efficiency and safety.
To be a supervisor, you must clearly understand
the terms supervision and supervisor. SUPERVISION
can be defined as the act of guiding, directing,
overseeing, evaluating, and controlling the activities
of others in the accomplishment of an objective. A
SUPERVISOR can be defined as the one who is
responsible for and directs the work of others.
Get the right person on the job at the right time
Use and place materials economically
Ensure personnel and equipment safety
Promote high morale
Maintain quality work
Keep accurate records and reports
Maintain discipline within the work center
Plan and schedule work
Train personnel
Procure the proper tools and equipment to do the
work
THE SUPERVISORY POSITION
Inspect, preserve, and protect tools and
equipment
The job of supervising your personnel in a work
center is a many sided task. Some of the techniques are
learned through past experience; others will be learned
during actual supervision. Still other techniques may
be learned from self-study courses and technical
publications.
Give clear orders and directions
Maintain liaison with other work centers
Check and inspect jobs and workmanship
Promote teamwork
Maintain good housekeeping
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