Production Manager (Manufacturing)
What is the work like?
As a production manager, you would make sure that manufacturing processes run smoothly, are cost-effective and deliver products on time. You could work in all types of manufacturing, for example:
- vehicle assembly
- brewing
- pharmaceuticals.
Your work would cover three main areas of the production process:
- planning – preparing details of the resources needed to meet an order, setting quality standards and estimating timescales and costs
- control – making sure that production schedules are followed, monitoring progress and adjusting schedules if problems occur
- supervision – managing the day-to-day running of the production line, organising staff, and making sure teams meet production targets.
You would also put together production reports for factory managers and clients.
You would work closely with maintenance technicians, company buyers, suppliers, quality control, training departments, and health and safety managers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You could start work for a manufacturing company as an operative or team leader and gain experience before moving into production management.
Alternatively, you could take a higher education course, such as foundation degrees, BTEC HNCs/HNDs and degrees in manufacturing. These courses often specialise in a particular industry, for instance food processing, pharmaceuticals or engineering.
To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Employers may prefer you to have a qualification in a related subject area, for example manufacturing. However, you could still get onto a management training scheme without qualifications if you have previous management experience.
What further training and development can I do?
As a trainee production manager, you would receive on-the-job training, working alongside experienced staff. The training programme would allow you to gain experience in the supervision, planning and control departments, getting to know their working methods and procedures and gradually taking on more responsibility for projects.
You could work towards various qualifications, for example:
- NVQ in Management at levels 3, 4 and 5
- NVQ in Project Management at levels 4 and 5
- Institute of Operations Management (IOM) Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Operations Management
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificates and Diplomas
- Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications levels 2 to 5.
Most of these organisations also offer a range of short training courses, and some are available by distance learning. For more details, visit the CMI, IOM and ILM websites.
Where can I go for more information?
Management HouseCottingham Road
Corby
Northants
NN17 1TT
Tel: 01536 204222
Netherstowe
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6TJ
Tel: 01543 266867
Sir William Lyons Road
Coventry
CV4 7EZ
Tel: 024 7669 2266
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for newly qualified production managers are between £18,000 and £24,000 a year.
- Average salaries for experienced managers fall between £25,000 and £37,000.
- Managers with overall responsibility for the production plant can earn over £40,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week. This could involve shiftwork or office hours with on-call duties to deal with out-of-hours problems.
Although you would have your own office, you would spend some of your time on the factory floor, discussing day-to-day issues with supervisory staff and workers. You would wear protective clothing in production areas.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good project management skills
- the ability to communicate clearly with staff at all levels
- good presentation skills
- maths and computer skills
- problem-solving skills
- an understanding of manufacturing processes
- a knowledge of manufacturing quality standards
- the ability to make effective decisions while under pressure
- the ability to work to deadlines
- a willingness to work flexibly
- an understanding of health and safety.
What opportunities are there?
Larger employers include pharmaceutical businesses, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, food processing companies and engineering firms.
With experience, you could progress into overall factory management or strategic planning roles at regional or national level. If you work for a large national or international company, you may have the opportunity to work overseas.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
Manufacturing Recruitment
Jimfinder.com
Jobcentre Plus
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