Final answer:
The most useful variance for a supervisor regarding corn syrup usage in candy bar manufacturing is the raw material usage variance, expressed in total pounds for the week, as it provides timely feedback for operational control. Option 4 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a supervisor is responsible for the number of pounds of corn syrup used in the manufacture of a candy bar, the most useful variance to report for control purposes would be the raw material usage variance, expressed in total pounds for the period relevant to the supervisor's control span.
Considering the immediate operational control and monitoring that a supervisor needs, a weekly reporting period would likely be more actionable than a monthly one. Hence, Option 4: Raw material usage variance, expressed in total pounds for the week, would provide the most timely and relevant feedback for the supervisor to act upon.
Reporting the variance in this manner allows the supervisor to quickly identify any deviations from expected usage, which could signal problems in the production process such as inefficiency, waste, or even issues with the machinery. They can then take necessary corrective actions to ensure that usage is aligned with production requirements and cost control objectives.
On the other hand, raw material price variance (Option 1) is often under the purview of purchasing managers or those involved in procurement, while total cost variances (Options 2 and 3) provide a bigger picture view which might be more suitable for higher-level management.