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An industrial production manager oversees the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They monitor the plant’s workers to ensure they meet safety standards. These production managers plan, direct, and coordinate the activities used to make a large assortment of goods, like paper products, cars, or computer equipment. This manager works closely with other managers and communicates with sales, warehousing, and research and design.
Watch a video to learn what an industrial production manager does:
How to Become an Industrial Production Manager
Industrial production managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and it’s usually in business administration or industrial engineering. Employers looking to hire candidates with more site responsibility in larger plants may prefer you to have a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) or a graduate degree in industrial management.
Those who come directly from earning a BS degree often start as first line supervisors. As they gain experience they move up to the production manager’s position. However, some industries may sponsor training programs for new grads that include hands-on experience in addition to classroom instruction. Industrial production managers must have leadership and interpersonal skills to supervise manufacturing employees. Some industrial production managers begin their career as production workers and move up through the ranks and earn a college degree in business management and/or take company-sponsored classes to increase their chances of promotion.
Certifications can also be gained through the Association for Operations Management and is known as Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). In addition, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) offers several certifications in quality control that can be beneficial as well. However, both of these certifications require work experience, so these certifications are not generally earned before entering this occupation.
Job Description of an Industrial Production Manager
Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They determine how best to use equipment and plant workers to meet production goals while ensuring that production stays within budget and on schedule. They hire, train, and evaluate workers. They analyzes production data, write production reports, and streamline the production process.
An industrial production manager monitors the plant’s workers to ensure performance and safety requirements are met. They decide on the need for overtime and whether new equipment or machines are necessary. They fix any production problems that occur and makes sure the finished product meets a specific level of quality. He or she communicates and works closely with other managers and departments to keep production moving as smoothly as possible. An industrial production manager may oversee a specific area of production or an entire manufacturing plant.
Industrial Production Manager Career Video Transcript
Whether their product is a golf club, a car, or a frozen dinner, industrial production managers ensure that production operations meet quality and safety standards, comply with regulations, and stay on schedule. Industrial production managers also plan how to make the best use of equipment and workers to meet their goals, all while keeping costs within budget. They may oversee quality control programs to find any defects in the product and correct the problem causing it. When issues are identified, these managers need to communicate with all of the affected departments, vendors, and contractors.
Industrial production managers work in all types of manufacturing plants both in the office and in production areas where they may wear protective gear. Those who specialize in quality control systems generally work in laboratories and factories, but may also find roles in healthcare. Most industrial production managers work full time, and overtime is common. Night or weekend shifts are not unusual, and managers may sometimes need to be on call to deal with emergencies.
Industrial production managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and several years of related work experience. Many managers start as production workers, and move up to this position by gaining experience and furthering their education. At large plants, employers may prefer candidates with a graduate degree in business or industrial management.
Article Citations
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Production Managers.
National Center for O*NET Development. 11-3051.00. O*NET OnLine.
The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.