Manufacturing Production Manager

Manufacturing production managers ensure that goods are produced efficiently, at the right quality, quantity and cost and on time. They may be working on anything from cars or aeroplane parts to medicines or food products. They may be involved in

• monitoring the production process
• drawing up production schedules
• forward planning
• estimating how long a job will take
• working out the resources required and how many people are needed to do a job.

Before production starts, they may be involved with selecting and designing equipment, the layout of the factory or plant, forecasting demand and ordering materials. Later, they may be responsible for the control of the production process, controlling stock or health and safety issues.

Production managers usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. It is common to work shifts and unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends. The work is mainly office based, but some of a production manager's time is spent on the factory floor.

Salaries range from £20,000 to £60,000 a year.

A manufacturing production manager should:

• be adept at working to deadlines
• be able to solve problems
• think logically and systematically
• communicate well with other people and motivate them
• be able to accept responsibility.

Most of the 26,000 manufacturing companies in the UK will employ a manufacturing production manager. Opportunities can be found all over the country, particularly in large cities.

Manufacturing production managers normally need considerable experience in the industry before taking up the full responsibilities that the job demands. Most people have worked in related roles, such as supervisor or trainee manager, before going on to manage the whole process.

Experience can be gained via Apprenticeships in a related field. Relevant qualifications include Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND), foundation degree or degree in an acceptable subject. There is a wide range of relevant degrees, including engineering, science, business and management. Some degrees and HNDs include industrial placements. Postgraduate courses are also available in operations and production management.

Larger companies may have management training schemes that combine work experience and training in different parts of the organisation.

It is possible to progress to become a senior production manager in a large firm. This may involve a more strategic role, estimating capacity, co-ordinating the work of planners and supervisors, liaising with buyers, sales and engineering staff.

Further details