I need advice
I work for a company that handles live goods. The company previously operated three facilities, but it is currently restructuring and closing the facility where I was stationed. As part of this process, myself and two other employees (one of whom was a production line supervisor) were transferred to the main facility with only three days' notice.
Since the move, my responsibilities have remained essentially the same, just on a larger scale. I am currently employed as an Order Fulfillment Technician. My duties include quality control within the cooler, requesting product, tracking incoming and outgoing inventory, grading out defective product, picking product in the system, and preparing orders for the production lines to complete final processing. I perform these tasks with the assistance of one other employee.
Today, the production line supervisor I worked closely with resigned effective immediately, leaving the position vacant. One of his responsibilities was ordering what we call "hardgoods"—materials required to fulfill higher-value customer orders. The facility manager asked if I could take over this task. Based on how the conversation was presented, it felt more like a directive than a request.
I believe she asked me because I previously handled a similar responsibility when I was ordering plants from the main facility to the original facility where I was hired.
Given the circumstances, would it be reasonable for me to ask about applying for the now-vacant supervisor position? If I decline the additional responsibility, or if I take it on and perform poorly, could that put my employment at risk?
My current role shares several similarities with the supervisor position. Both require working in a fast-paced environment, ensuring orders are completed accurately and efficiently, and meeting production deadlines. I also worked closely with my former supervisor and have a good understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities involved in the role.