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Career Profiles

Supervisors, Inspection, Quality Control and Contractors

Turning individuals into highly productive work teams!

Supervisors are senior members of the production team. The main role of a Supervisor is to ensure that equipment works properly and safely and that the employees are trained to work in an efficient and safe manner. Most of the time a supervisor will work in the production area. Some time will also be spent in an office environment. Travel may be required depending on the project. Salaries can range from $36,000 to $50,000 annually. Supervisors are good at managing and coordinating work teams.

Inspector, Quality Controller, and Contractor occupations are similar to Supervisors but do different tasks. An Inspector checks the final product for faults and adherence to design plans. A Quality Controller seeks to improve work methods and equipment processes. A Contractor may perform any of these tasks but on a non-permanent basis. These positions usually pay less than a Supervisor and they are less likely to require overtime work. The salary range is from $26,000 to $40,000 annually. All positions are generally filled based on years of experience. Post-secondary education is helpful in understanding new technologies and production methods. Among the essential skills that support these positions are oral communication and working with others.

Requires: No Grade 12, Production Experience

Carpenter Foreman

Curt Topal is a carpenter foreman at Basil Restorations in Delta, BC. He is a former employee of the culinary industry where he honed his people management skills and developed his hands-on attitude to work. Curt has always been mechanically inclined and as a kid he found it creative and satisfying to work with his hands.

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Carpenter Foreman

Ray Davidson is a carpenter foreman at Basil Restorations in Delta, BC. He started his career as an electrician and then acquired carpentry skills through on-the-job training. Ray likes a challenge and likes to be kept busy and on the go.

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Manufacturing Supervisor

Jeff Reimer is an evening shift manufacturing supervisor at Loewen in Steinbach, Manitoba. Jeff has a Certificate in Business Administration (Honours) from Red River College in Winnipeg. He began working in window and door production at Loewen because he had heard good things about the company. Jeff has been at Loewen for five years and his long term plans are to continue to progress within the company.

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Production Supervisor and CNC Operator

Enrique Morales is a Production Supervisor and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) operator at Craftsman Panel Cutters in Delta, BC. Enrique grew up in Mexico and came to Canada when he was 24. When he arrived here he was impressed with logging and wood and the fact that everything was green. He worked as a supervisor at a cedar siding company and enjoyed working with wood. He also liked the challenge of supervisory work and being able to guide people through the process of getting the job completed. Enrique took some management courses at the British Columbia Institute of Technology as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at Lucas Centre to prepare for his current position.

NOTE: The abbreviation CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, and refers specifically to a computer "controller" that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool.

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Career Profiles

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