what is a production manager?
When you see mass-manufactured products at the store, you can thank the production manager. They keep the operation running so that businesses can complete projects and ship their products on time. As a production manager, you'll meet with employees to assign duties, review their performances and deal with issues that arise.
If machinery breaks down, you'll figure out how to repair or replace it, keeping production on schedule. You'll also ensure a safe working space and eliminate safety hazards. Similarly, production managers figure out new ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs without sacrificing quality. You could potentially save your employer tens of thousands of dollars.
Production managers ensure that the result adheres to your employer's specifications. Every employer has a specific design and roadmap that makes their products stand out from the competition. It's your job to help them succeed.
You'll be a liaison between employees and management, reporting your progress and discussing challenges. Management may turn to you first when an issue arises. Production managers also set goals and review the schedule, adding coverage when necessary.
Would working as a production management suit your organization skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a production management role.
view jobs near youaverage production management salary
Would you like to know what a production management earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a production management? Then check out this production manager salary page and find out all about the salary of a production management in the USA.
types of production manager
Production managers often work in specific fields that require unique skills, knowledge and job experience. For example, biofuels production managers work at power generation centers, dealing with biodiesel, ethanol and other fuel sources. You'll check the meters and gauges and take fuel samples for quality control.
Other specific fields include production plant managers and industrial production managers. Choose job-specific majors when you attend school, such as forest biomaterials or chemical engineering, to get a head start.
working as a production manager
Production managers are one of the most valuable people in the facility. You'll help your employer maintain their upward trajectory and gain an advantage in their field. Learn what you can expect from this position.
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production manager job description
What does a production manager do? You won't just carry out your employer's wishes. Instead, you'll go above and beyond by fine-tuning the process, increasing productivity and boosting profits so that management can hire more employees, produce more products and enhance their marketing strategy. When you increase one plant's efficiency, other plants will want you on their team.
While you're not an official safety inspector, you'll oversee the machinery, making sure that employees can work safely with minimal downtime. Production managers make fast decisions when a machine breaks down. Do you find a repair company, or is replacing the machine altogether worth the time and expense? You'll also have to delegate responsibilities to your employees so that productivity doesn't plummet.
The best production managers are strict but not unreasonable. You set goals for your employees without expecting them to compromise their safety or take on too much at once. They'll know that they can trust you when they have an issue. You're responsible for employee satisfaction like everyone else, and happy employees lead to decreased turnover rates.
Likewise, you'll regularly interact with upper management. You'll be honest about your progress if you fall behind, but you'll also discuss problem solving and celebrate achievements. You may bring up employee complaints during your meetings.
Production managers also review the schedule and make changes when needed. If an employee left recently, you'll find coverage. You'll also make sure that the schedule has multiple employees on every shift. One missing worker could throw off the whole day, so management relies on you to manage your staff.
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production manager work environment
Production managers often work in industrial settings, such as factories and power plants. The setting could expose you to loud noises, poor air quality, flashing lights and a lot of activity happening at once. You'll take safety precautions so that you can walk around the production floor.
You'll also spend time in an office that might be located on the production floor or a separate room in the building. Production managers review schedules, answer emails, learn about new policies and complete other tasks online. You may interact with upper management in a professional environment, such as a meeting room.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues include production workers and people in upper management, such as general managers and production supervisors. Other colleagues may include HR employees, accountants, market analysts, business operation specialists and customer service representatives. Many factories have regular inspector visits.
You may work with a product manager, who focuses on the product itself instead of manufacturing. They figure out what customers need, then design products that meet those needs and work with people who make it happen.
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work schedule
Most production managers work full-time jobs with 9 to 5 hours, although you might find a part-time position as an assistant production manager. You'll work Monday through Friday and have weekends and evenings off.
If manufacturing falls behind schedule or an emergency occurs, such as the plant shutting down, you might need to work overtime. Your employer may ask you to arrive early, stay late or work on the weekends. Salaried positions might not come with overtime pay.
Production managers often attend professional events, such as conferences and networking opportunities. You probably won't get paid for these, but they help you advance your career.
Office jobs generally come with vacation and sick days and give you time off for holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you stay with a company for several years, they could offer more vacation time.
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job outlook for production managers
Production managers have secure jobs because the plant can't function without you. If you perform well, you could work in this industry for decades before you retire. Many areas have multiple production plants, providing several job options. However, many production managers are loyal to companies that provide good benefits.
You could start your career at a small factory, then gradually advance to larger plants with more responsibilities. You'll impress employers with a strong resume that highlights some of the biggest facilities in your region. Larger factories may have assistant production managers that share some of your responsibilities, helping you focus on your job.
Many production managers become plant or warehouse managers and oversee the entire operation. You could also try a different role as a product manager, production scheduler or shipping and receiving clerk. Your employer will probably have additional job openings, such as an HR position.
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benefits of working for randstad as a production manager
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a production manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
production manager skills and education
Some employers only require a high school diploma if you have business experience. However, most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree. Production managers have serious responsibilities that require at least a few years of training.
Many companies look for applicants with a relevant major, such as business administration or operations research. Getting your master's degree in a related field may provide high-paying job opportunities. However, some employers ultimately prefer experience because you can start immediately without training.
Production management isn't necessarily an entry-level job. You might start in lower management or even find a job on the factory floor. If you find a production management position shortly after college, your employer provides training on safety, communication, production and company policies. Still, they expect you to arrive with a preexisting knowledge base--after all, that's why you attended school.
Afterward, you can continue your education with software and management certifications. Your employer may refresh your knowledge throughout your career with new training programs. Make sure that you stay up-to-date on new company policies so that you can enforce them in the workplace.
Production managers are organized, detail-oriented people. You always know what's going on and regularly visit the production floor. You handle your responsibilities but ask for help when you need it so that production doesn't stall. Colleagues count on you to respond to their texts, emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
Other essential skills include:
- performing math calculations
- understanding company policies
- writing with correct spelling and grammar
- learning and using management software
- finding the root of problems
- staying calm in stressful situations
- delegating responsibilities to workers
Factory work can be repetitive and stressful. You can't change the work itself, but you can motivate employees by showing your appreciation. Congratulate your workers when they operate efficiently and complete projects on time or ahead of schedule.
FAQs about working as a production manager
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about production managers.
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do production managers need factory experience?
You don't necessarily need to work on the factory floor to find a production management job. Most employers look for business and management experience, plus a relevant degree. However, working in production could help you better serve your employees because you've been in their position.
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can production managers stay at one company before they retire?
If you perform well, you could potentially stay at one company for your entire career--after all, you're partially responsible for helping the company succeed. You'll help them make the profits that they need to operate for years. However, other factories might offer higher salaries when they see your accomplishments.
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do production managers receive good benefits?
Production managers often receive good benefits that reflect their importance to the company, including health insurance coverage, a week or two of vacation time, paid sick days, disability benefits and retirement planning. You might be able to negotiate a higher salary at various points in your career.
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how much training do production managers need?
Employers prefer production managers with years of training, but if you're just starting out, you'll find a position that trains you while you work. Afterward, you'll become increasingly valuable in your field with each passing year. Your employer might even trust you to train new managers and eventually advance to a higher position.
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do production managers work in dangerous environments?
You'll spend time in your office, but you'll also enter the factory floor, which could have sparks, slip-and-fall areas, tall ladders, noise hazards and heavy machinery. As a result, production managers take safety precautions just like regular employees. You'll stay up-to-date on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and take care of potential dangers.
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how do I find a job as a production manager?
Applying for a production manager is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our production manager jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
