Production Supervisor (Manufacturing | Houston, TX 77041)

Company Profile:

Founded in 1989, Travis® Body & Trailer, Inc. began operations after purchasing the former facilities of CMC Trailers, Inc. in Houston, Texas. In its early years, the company produced only the classic aluminum end-dump trailer—designs largely unchanged from CMC models of the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, Travis has grown steadily in size and national market presence. This growth has been driven by increased industry demand and a company-wide commitment to becoming the leader in quality through expert craftsmanship and continuous innovation.

Job Purpose:

The Production Supervisor is responsible for executing the daily production schedule while ensuring departmental goals and deadlines are met. This position drives performance in the areas of safety, quality, productivity, and employee relations, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of assigned department(s).

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead and support staff by providing training, resources, coaching, and performance management, following the SQDIP model (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity).
• Champion company-wide initiatives, including process improvements, procedural updates, and equipment needs.
• Ensure all employees follow safety guidelines, company policies, and established work procedures.
• Oversee execution of the daily production schedule to meet goals related to operator efficiency, machine uptime, and material discrepancies.
• Coordinate shift performance across multiple functions, including production, maintenance, processing, automation, quality, and materials.
• Prioritize daily work assignments based on production requirements and machine availability.
• Monitor equipment cycle times and adjust operations as needed to stay within standard parameters.
• Conduct in-process inspection checks to verify process consistency and repeatability.
• Collaborate with other shift supervisors to review production issues and identify solutions.
• Hold daily communication and safety meetings; administer disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Improve shift performance through training, resource planning, and effective workforce allocation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Experience, and Education

• Two-year formal education in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Five (5) years or more in a leadership role
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and ability to lead teams in applying lean tools.
• Strong safety leadership; ensures compliance with safety and environmental procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of Bill of Materials (BOM) and product flow; prior product knowledge preferred.
• Willingness to learn operational processes, which may include welding, CNC machine operation, installation, and fabrication.
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methods is strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, decision-making, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to train and mentor employees.
• Excellent communication skills, from one-on-one discussions to presenting to larger groups.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; able to use computer systems and software effectively.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to lift, carry, pull and push 50lbs. unassisted
• Regularly standing, stooping, kneeling, bending and turning
• Exposed to outdoor weather temperatures

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Work Hours and Schedules:

• Must be able to work between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM
• Occasional Saturday’s, as required to meet Production needs

Key Competencies:

Consistently Achieves Results - Effectively manages budgets; meets planned financial targets; achieves both top and bottom line growth objectives; readily produces strategies for reducing or avoiding costs without compromising quality; meets the Customer’s satisfaction level; meets or exceeds the standards set for the position specific responsibilities.

Analytical Abilities - Makes recommendations based on solid assumptions when solving complex problems; analyzes data to obtain meaningful information; identifies conflicting or inaccurate information.

Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at first answers.

Interpersonal Skills - Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the company; builds appropriate rapport; listens; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; truly values people; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.

Customer Focus - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external Customers; gets Customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; considers Customers in all business practices; establishes and maintains effective relationships with Customers.