Job Title: Production Operation Supervisor
Location: Kapeeka, Nakaseke District, Uganda
Reports to: Production Manager / Plant Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
Role Purpose
The Production Operation Supervisor is responsible for bridging communication between Chinese-speaking management/expatriate staff and local production teams, ensuring smooth and efficient workshop operations. This role provides bilingual interpretation and translation support, compiles and analyses production data, prepares operational reports, and assists in the daily management of workshop employees. The Production Operation Supervisor plays a critical role in aligning production targets with on-the-ground execution, fostering teamwork, and maintaining accurate production records to support decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
1. Bilingual Communication & Interpretation
- Serve as the primary language bridge between Chinese-speaking managers/engineers and local production staff, ensuring accurate and timely communication.
- Provide real-time interpretation during meetings, training sessions, shift handovers, and daily production briefings.
- Translate production documents, work instructions, safety notices, and operational guidelines between Chinese and English (and local languages where necessary).
- Facilitate clear understanding of production targets, quality standards, and process changes across multicultural teams.
- Assist in resolving communication gaps or misunderstandings that may affect production efficiency or workplace harmony.
2. Production Data Collection & Reporting
- Collect, compile, and maintain accurate daily production data, including output volumes, efficiency rates, downtime, material consumption, and quality metrics.
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports for management, highlighting performance against targets and identifying variances.
- Use Excel and other tools to organise data, create charts, and present findings clearly.
- Maintain production logs, shift records, and equipment utilisation records.
- Support the Production Manager in analysing trends and recommending corrective actions for underperformance.
3. Daily Production Coordination & Supervision
- Assist in supervising daily workshop activities to ensure production plans are executed on time and according to specifications.
- Coordinate with team leaders, machine operators, and material handlers to maintain smooth workflow.
- Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, and adherence to shift schedules.
- Help allocate tasks and manpower based on production priorities and worker skills.
- Ensure that production targets, quality standards, and safety rules are communicated and understood by all staff.
4. Employee Management & Support
- Assist in the daily management of production workers, including attendance tracking, leave coordination, and basic disciplinary matters.
- Support onboarding and training of new production staff, especially in understanding work instructions and safety protocols.
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment across Chinese and local employees.
- Mediate minor conflicts or misunderstandings and escalate more serious issues to HR or the Production Manager.
- Promote adherence to company policies, safety regulations, and workplace discipline.
5. Translation of Documents & Procedures
- Translate work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety manuals, and training materials from Chinese to English and vice versa.
- Assist in localising Chinese technical documents for local staff understanding.
- Maintain a glossary of commonly used production terms in Chinese and English to ensure consistency.
- Provide verbal translation during audits, customer visits, or regulatory inspections when required.
6. Quality & Process Support
- Support quality control efforts by ensuring that inspection criteria and defect feedback are clearly communicated to production teams.
- Assist in tracking and reporting production defects, rework, and scrap rates.
- Help implement corrective actions from quality meetings and follow up on compliance.
- Participate in root cause analysis of production issues and translate findings between teams.
7. Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all production activities comply with company safety policies and Uganda’s Occupational Safety and Health regulations.
- Translate safety briefings and toolbox talks for local staff.
- Monitor PPE usage and safe work practices, reporting any violations or hazards.
- Support emergency response drills and incident reporting as needed.
8. Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve communication flow, data accuracy, and production efficiency.
- Provide feedback to management on operational challenges and employee concerns.
- Support the implementation of lean manufacturing or 5S initiatives.
- Assist in developing bilingual training materials to upskill the workforce.
Qualifications & Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or above in Business Administration, Production Management, Industrial Engineering, Chinese Language, or a related field.
- (A Diploma with strong relevant experience may be considered.)
Experience:
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a production or manufacturing environment, with exposure to supervision, data reporting, or translation.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment with Chinese-speaking management is highly desirable.
- Prior experience in a factory or industrial setting in Uganda or East Africa is an advantage.
Language Requirement (Mandatory):
- Fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) – spoken and written – must be able to interpret accurately between Chinese and English in a production context.
- Fluent in English (spoken and written) – must be able to prepare reports, communicate with local staff, and translate documents.
- Knowledge of local languages (e.g., Luganda, Swahili) is a strong advantage.
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (data entry, formulas, pivot tables, charts) and Word (report formatting).
- Familiarity with ERP or production management systems is an advantage.
- Understanding of production processes, quality control basics, and data analysis.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents and production schedules.
Soft Skills:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across cultures.
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in data reporting.
- Leadership potential and ability to manage and motivate a diverse team.
- Problem-solving mindset and ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
- Proactive, responsible, and results-oriented.
Other Requirements:
- Willingness to work in a factory environment and on shifts as required.
- Physically fit and able to move around the production floor.
- Valid driving permit is an advantage.
- Prior work experience in Uganda or East Africa is highly desirable.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic, multicultural manufacturing environment.
- Career development and training opportunities.
- A supportive team culture focused on safety, quality, and efficiency.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter to [jobs-ug@twyfordtile.com] with the subject line “Production Operation Supervisor – Uganda”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.