WHO IS A SUPERVISOR ?

A person who instructs, directs, and controls the workers in the

performance of their duties

KEY person in any organisation

Interlink between management and workers

Supervisors may also include Owners, Managers, Superintendents,

Engineers, Foremen, Department Heads.
 Types of supervisors in an apparel
manufacturing factory
• Cutting section supervisor
• Sewing line supervisor
• Finishing section supervisor
 Cutting Section Supervisor
• Functions: To look over the set of activities in
the cutting section relating to lay planning,
marker making, cutting, sorting and bundling.
• Lines of Communication:
• Upwards: Production manager, factory
manager
• Downwards: Layer men, Marker maker,
sorters and cutters.
 Responsibilities of a Cutting Section
Supervisor
• Ensure that the lays are placed and cut as per the plan set by the production
manager in consultation within.
• Ensure that the specified marker efficiency is maintained in every lay.
• Ensure that the marker has all parts of the garment.
• Ensure that the plies in the lays are aligned properly.
• Ensure that all the fabric defects are flagged.
• Ensure that the right cutting equipment and correct methodology is used as per the
parts.
• Immediately inform maintenance department in case of any machine problem.
• Ensure that the fusing machine settings are maintained as set by the technicians.
• Ensure that all the preparatory operations for the fusing machines are done as per
plan set by the production manager/I.E. Department
• Ensure cleanliness of the cutting section and cutting tables.
• Ensure safety of the cutting section staff.
 Sewing Line Supervisor
• Function: To look over the set of activities in
the sewing room related to line planning and
garment construction.
• Lines of Communication:
• Upwards: Sewing Room In charge, Production
Manager, Factory Manager.
• Downwards: Sorter, Production Reporter and
Operators.
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SEWING LINE
SUPERVISOR

Set up lines as per operation breakdown and operator skill inventory

Explain construction methodology to the operators as per operation

breakdown

Ensure corrective action is taken as per the defects reported by the in-line
QC.

Acquire clarity with the sample piece.

Ensure cut parts and trims are in regular supply.

SOURCE: Graduation Project(A study on the identification of training parameters of supervisors in the garment industry)
by Neeti Chhabra and Vibhu Gupta(2001)
 CONTINUED…
Ensure that minimum WIP level is maintained in order to avoid stoppages in
work.

Inform maintenance department immediately in case of any machine

failures.

Ensure that the line is always balanced.

Ensure safety requirements are being met and maintained.

Motivate workforce for enhanced productivity and lower absenteeism.

Help management facilitate disciplinary action against defaulters.

SOURCE: Graduation Project(A study on the identification of training parameters of supervisors in the garment industry)
by Neeti Chhabra and Vibhu Gupta(2001)
• Act as liaison between management and
operators.
• Ensure cost control
• Prevent soiling and staining of garments
• Ensure housekeeping requirements are met
• Explain quality requirements to operators
• Ensure production targets set by upper
management are met
 Finishing Section Supervisor
• Functions: To look over the set of activities related
to thread trimming, stain removing, pressing, final
look of the garment, primary packing, final packing
and loading to the transport vehicle.
• Lines of Communication:
• Upwards: Production manager, factory manager
• Downwards: Press Men, trimmers, stain removal
operators, final checkers, packers and helpers
 Responsibilities of finishing section
supervisor
• Ensure that trimming is carried out in a set sequence and fabric is not damaged during trimming.
• Ensure that all the operations of the thread sucking machine are done as per set methodology.
• Ensure that the garments are checked after thread trimming as per instructions.
• Ensure that the correct sequence of ironing is followed.
• Ensure that the minimum WIP level is maintained in order to avoid stoppages in work.
• Ensure that the settings of heat, steam and pressure set by the technician are maintained
• Inform maintenance department promptly in case of any machine problem
• Ensure timely maintenance and replacement of iron bed cover
• Explain the methodology of stain removal to the stain removal operator as per the fabric
• Ensure that the format filled by the final checkers are as per the specified instructions
• Ensure that the final checking after pressing is carried out as per the criteria set.
• Ensure that the packing list is followed
• Ensure continuous documentation of packed garments for cartons and transport vehicles
• Explain packing instructions to the department staff
• Ensure transport agency vouchers are correctly filled
• Upgrade ledger after every dispatch
• Prepare surplus list after every shipment
 Industrial Visit
• Factory for visit- Kadamb Garments
• Manufacturing Layout- Process Layout
• Product manufactured- Denim Bottomwear
• Working Days/ Working hours- 6 days a week,
9am-6pm
• Production System- Progressive Bundle System
• The operators work at piece rate system
• Target given to each operator- 350 pieces per day
• There are no formats being filled by the
supervisor such as quality checklists.
• No skill matrix was used.
• Only 5 Pocket Jeans were being manufactured,
so there was no style variation.
• As it is a small-scale industry there is only one
supervisor for all the department.
• Only one supervisor is responsible for cutting, sewing and finishing
department.
• The roles and responsibilities of the supervisor involves the following-
• Morning Attendance
• Assigns tasks to the operators
• If an operator is absent the supervisor assigns task to another suitably skilled operator
in order to not hinder the production process and achieve the target for the day
• Recruitment of operators
• Rearrange operators according to the skills whenever a new style is introduced.
• For every new style the supervisor makes the prototype
• He is responsible for in-line inspection too.
• Makes sure that the rework is traced and mended properly.
• Records the output produced by each operator
 Recruitment Procedure
• The supervisor interviews the candidates and
asks about the skill he/she has in context of
stitching.
• The candidate is tested on the basis of
operation stated.
• Training is given if required.
 Improvement Areas
• A skill matrix should be made for the proper assignment
of tasks so that each operator can be rated.
• In the industry, it was noticed that incentive schemes
were lacking as it was felt that such schemes were not
necessary. But incentive schemes are important to keep
the operators motivated and in-turn improve productivity.
These also help in providing recognition to operators who
have done exceptionally well in various areas of the work.
It helps in keeping the other fellow operators to instill a
sense of competition and a sense of wanting to do better.
• Production schedule is vital if deliveries are to
be made on time. A simple wall chart on
which production days are shown will be
adequate to mark the progress of orders and
to indicate deadlines.
• The first and last bundles in an order should
be noted by the supervisor and reported daily
as a check on progress.
• Quality tools such as Cause and Effect diagram
and check sheet should be used.