1st Shift Upholstery Supervisor

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture - Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, we're more than a business…we're family. We're problem solvers with the grit to persevere during challenging times and innovators who wont coast when times are good. We create solutions, not excuses, and never settle for the status quo. It's the reason we're always searching for better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Thats why Ashley Furniture is #1 in our industry.

If youre ready to grow, youve come to the right place. Ashley Furniture has a Growth Mindset, and once you join our team, youll learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Position Summary

The Upholstery Supervisor - 1st Shift leads daily upholstery production activities, manages a team of upholsterers, ensures high quality and safety, and optimizes workflow to meet schedules and standards. This hands-on leader blends technical upholstery expertise with strong people leadership-training staff, controlling materials, troubleshooting issues, coordinating with other departments, and maintaining production records-to deliver high-quality upholstered products on time and in alignment with Ashley's operational and safety expectations.

Schedule & Pay

• Schedule: Monday - Friday

• Shift: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

• Pay: $23.00 - $25.00/hour (depending on experience)

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

Production Leadership

• Lead daily upholstery production operations to meet output, quality, and schedule requirements.

• Assign work, balance workloads, and adjust priorities to maintain steady flow through upholstery lines.

• Monitor production performance (pieces per hour, quality, rework) and take corrective actions as needed.

• Work hands-on with upholstery processes when necessary, demonstrating best practices and standards.

Team Management & Development

• Manage a team of upholsterers and support associates, providing direction, coaching, and support.

• Train staff on upholstery techniques, safe equipment use, quality standards, and standard operating procedures.

• Conduct regular performance discussions and support improvement plans for team members.

• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.

Quality & Safety

• Ensure all upholstered products meet Ashley's quality standards, specifications, and customer expectations.

• Conduct visual and functional inspections to catch defects early and reduce rework.

• Champion a safety-first culture by enforcing the proper use of PPE and adherence to safety rules.

• Identify and correct unsafe behaviors or conditions, and participate in safety meetings and audits.

Workflow & Material Management

• Optimize upholstery workflow by organizing workstations, material staging, and tooling.

• Coordinate with materials, cutting, frame, and foam departments to ensure timely availability of components.

• Control material usage and minimize waste while maintaining supply levels to support uninterrupted production.

• Troubleshoot production issues (e.g., material shortages, equipment problems, quality concerns) and drive resolution.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with other production areas (Frame Mill, Cutting, Sewing, Assembly) to align schedules and priorities.

• Communicate daily production status, challenges, and resource needs to peers and leadership.

• Work with Quality, Maintenance, and HR to support broader operational goals and initiatives.

Records & Reporting

• Maintain accurate production records including output, scrap, rework, and attendance.

• Track and report key metrics to support performance analysis and decision-making.

• Ensure timekeeping and absentee records are accurate and aligned with company policies.

Core Values Demonstration

• Demonstrate the Company's Core and Growth Values in the performance of all job functions.

• Model "Dirty Fingernail" behavior by going to the work, inspecting details, and ensuring standards are met on the floor.

• Promote continuous improvement and growth-focused thinking within the upholstery team.

What You Need (Qualifications)

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Minimum 2 years in a manufacturing or distribution center environment

• Experience with manufacturing or warehouse equipment and department processes

• Ability to work Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

• Strong leadership and team management skills

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities

• Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, timekeeping systems)

• Physical ability to walk production floors, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 50 lbs as needed

Preferred

• Associate degree in Supervisory Management or related field

• Previous supervisory or lead experience in upholstery or furniture manufacturing

• Experience with upholstery processes (padding, covering, stapling, finishing)

• Familiarity with Lean, continuous improvement, and production metrics

• Understanding of OSHA regulations and workplace safety management

Work Environment

This position is located in an active industrial upholstery manufacturing facility with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role requires extended periods of standing and walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The environment is fast-paced, time-sensitive, and safety-sensitive.

Benefits We Offer

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Your Birthday off

• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific) and Medical Tourism

• Telehealth

• 401(k) and Profit Sharing

• Life Insurance

Our Core Values

• Honesty & Integrity

• Passion, Drive, Discipline

• Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence

• Dirty Fingernail

• Growth Focused

Learn More

To learn more about Ashley Furniture, our community engagement programs, environmental stewardship, and our core values, please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility information page:

• Corporate Social Responsibility

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates, only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms: We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral, or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

Please note this position may not be eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future, as applicable to the posting.