Supervisor, being the manager in direct contact with the operatives, has got multifarious function to perform. The objective behind the performance of these functions is to bring stability’ and soundness in the organization which can be secured through an increase in profits which is an end result of higher productivity. 

Therefore, a supervisor should be concerned with performing the following functions:

1. Planning and Organizing: Supervisor’s basic role is to plan the daily work schedule of the workers by guiding them the nature of their work and also dividing the work amongst the workers according to their interests, aptitudes, skills and interests.

2. Provision of working conditions: A supervisor plays an important role in the physical setting of the factory and in arranging the physical resources at the right place. This involves providing the proper sitting place, ventilation, lighting, water facilities etc. to workers. His main responsibility is here to provide healthy and hygienic condition to the workers.

3. Leadership and Guidance: A supervisor is the leader of workers under him. He leads the workers and influences them to work their best. He also guides the workers by fixing production targets and by providing them with instruction and guidelines to achieve those targets.

4. Motivation: A supervisor plays an important role by providing different incentives to workers to perform better. There are different monetary and non-monetary incentives which can inspire the workers to work better.

5. Controlling: Controlling is an important function performed by the supervisor. 

This will involve.

• Recording the actual performance against the time schedule. 

• Checking the progress of work. 

• Finding out deviations if any and making solutions. 

• If not independently solved, reporting it to top management.