Chemical processing supervisor
Also known as: chemical processing quality supervisor, chemical production quality tester, chemical production process supervisor, chemical processing quality assurance supervisor, chemical plant process supervisor, chemical plant quality supervisor
About this occupation
Chemical processing supervisors coordinate the activities and the staff involved in the chemical production process, ensuring the production goals and deadlines are met. They control quality and optimize chemicals processing by ensuring defined tests, analysis and quality control procedures are performed.
A specialisation of production supervisor.
Essential skills and knowledge
- communicate test results to other departments
- contamination exposure regulations
- handle residual gases
- define manufacturing quality criteria
- use chemical analysis equipment
- manage chemical testing procedures
- chemistry
- validate raw materials using adequate equipment
- manage chemical processes inspection
- avoid contamination
- test chemical samples
- analytical chemistry
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Biofuels Production Managers (O*NET 11-3051.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Supervise production employees in the manufacturing of biofuels, such as biodiesel or ethanol.
- Manage operations at biofuels power generation facilities, including production, shipping, maintenance, or quality assurance activities.
- Provide direction to employees to ensure compliance with biofuels plant safety, environmental, or operational standards and regulations.
- Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting biofuels plant safety, operational efficiency, and product quality.
- Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels or to identify abnormalities with biofuels production equipment or processes.
- Monitor meters, flow gauges, or other real-time data to ensure proper operation of biofuels production equipment, implementing corrective measures as needed.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking
US median pay: US$126,060 a year (2025), 246,250 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.7)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Power Plant Operators
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Industrial Production Managers
- Quality Control Systems Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.