Production Supervisor

Job Title: Production Supervisor
Reporting to: Office Manager, Ndola
Future Technical Reporting to: Director of HSES, Headquarters
Location: Ndola, Zambia
Terms: 1-year full-time position with a 3-month probation period.

About Us:

Emerging Cooking Solutions (Zambia) Limited, trading as SupaMoto, is a leader in the Advanced Biomass Cooking sector, dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and reducing deforestation. As a Zambian/Swedish joint venture, we produce clean-burning modern cookstoves that use renewable cooking fuel pellets. Our Ndola factory processes waste biomass into high-quality pellets, offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to charcoal.

Position Overview:

The Production Supervisor will oversee daily pellet production, ensuring operational efficiency, quality control, and compliance with Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (HSES) standards. A key aspect of this role is proactively engaging in preventive maintenance, ensuring correct equipment usage, and implementing the Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) system to maintain a safe working environment. The Production Supervisor will lead a team of 20-25 workers, optimize production processes, and ensure factory safety protocols are strictly followed.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Production Supervision & Efficiency

• Oversee daily production activities to ensure biomass pellet output meets targets.
•  Monitor and optimize production processes to improve efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize machine uptime.
•  Ensure correct equipment usage by factory staff, providing ongoing training on operational best practices to prevent misuse or damage.
•  Coordinate with the maintenance team to ensure factory equipment (woodchippers, hammermills, pelletizers, conveyors, etc.) operates efficiently.

2. Preventive Maintenance & Equipment Safety

• Actively engage in preventive maintenance planning to reduce unexpected breakdowns and extend equipment lifespan.
•  Ensure proper scheduling of equipment servicing in coordination with the maintenance team.
•  Implement and enforce the Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) system to ensure that machinery is properly shut off and cannot be restarted during maintenance or servicing, preventing accidents and injuries.
•  Conduct regular inspections of machinery to identify wear and tear, ensuring timely intervention before failures occur.
•  Train staff on the importance of preventive maintenance and their role in keeping equipment in peak condition.

3. Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (HSES)

•  Ensure full compliance with HSES regulations, creating a safe work environment for all employees.
•  Enforce safety protocols, including the use of PPE, safe handling of raw materials, and adherence to emergency procedures.
•  Lead safety training sessions and refresher courses on LOTO procedures, fire safety, and proper equipment handling.
•  Conduct regular HSES audits to identify risks and implement corrective measures.
•  Ensure proper waste management and environmentally responsible operations in line with company sustainability goals.
•  Ensure first aid readiness, with at least one trained first aider on-site at all times. First aid qualification preferred, but training will be provided if necessary.

4. Team Leadership & Workforce Management

•  Supervise a team of 20-25 workers, including operators, loaders, and quality control staff.
•  Train and mentor employees to enhance productivity, teamwork, and adherence to operational procedures.
•  Ensure proper shift planning and task delegation to maximize efficiency.
•  Foster a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and conducting regular performance evaluations.

5. Inventory & Material Management

• Monitor raw biomass inputs to ensure consistent supply and prevent production stoppages.
•  Coordinate with the supply chain team to track inventory levels and reorder raw materials as needed.
•  Ensure compliance with stock-keeping procedures to maintain accurate inventory records.

6. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

•  Maintain daily production reports, tracking efficiency, downtime, and output metrics.
•  Identify areas for process improvements and recommend solutions to optimize production.
•  Work closely with management to support factory upgrades and operational changes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production Output: Ensure a minimum pellet production of 300MT per month.
• Downtime Reduction: Keep unplanned equipment downtime below 5% through proactive preventive maintenance.
• HSES Compliance: Maintain zero safety incidents per month, with full adherence to the LOTO system.
• First Aid Readiness: Ensure at least one trained first aider is on-site at all times.
• Quality Control: Ensure pellets meet quality standards with minimal defects.
• Labor Productivity: Ensure efficient workforce management with minimal absenteeism and delays.
• Minimization of Production Wastage: Implement strategies to reduce waste generation and enhance resource utilization.

Skills & Competencies Required

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to enforce safety protocols and ensure HSES compliance.
• Hands-on approach to supervising production in an industrial setting.
• Effective communication and reporting skills.
• Basic mechanical understanding of production machinery (preferred but not mandatory).
• Knowledge of Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures and ability to train staff on safe equipment shutdown and maintenance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or equivalent qualification in Industrial Management, Manufacturing, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a supervisory role within manufacturing, mining, or industrial production.
• Experience managing factory teams of at least 20 workers.
• HSES certification or relevant safety training (strongly preferred).
• First aid qualification preferred, or willingness to complete first aid training on the job.
• Experience in biomass processing or pellet production (advantageous but not required).

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a company driving environmental sustainability and clean energy solutions in Africa.
• Work in a dynamic industrial setting with opportunities for career growth.
• Contribute to a company making a tangible impact by reducing deforestation and providing renewable fuel alternatives.