Career Map: Industrial Production Manager

Position Title	Industrial Production Manager
Alternate Title(s)
Education & Training Level	Bachelor's degree
Education & Training Level Description	Employers prefer that industrial production managers have at least a bachelor’s degree. While the degree may be in any field, many industrial production managers have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or industrial engineering. Sometimes, production workers with many years of experience take management classes to become production managers. At large plants, where managers have more oversight responsibilities, employers may look for managers who have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a graduate degree in industrial management.
Brief job description	Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct the activities used to create a wide range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, or paper products.
Preferred Level of Education	Bachelor's degree
Preferred Level of Experience	See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information.
Estimated/Expected Salary	See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information.
Job Profile	Industrial production managers are responsible for carrying out quality control programs to make sure the finished product meets a specific level of quality. Often called quality control systems managers, these managers use programs to help identify defects in products, identify the cause of the defect, and solve the problem creating it. For example, a manager may determine that a defect is being caused by parts from an outside supplier. The manager can then work with the supplier to improve the quality of the parts. Industrial production managers typically do the following: Decide how best to use a plant’s workers and equipment to meet production goals Ensure that production stays on schedule and within budget Hire, train, and evaluate workers Analyze production data Write production reports Monitor a plant’s workers and programs to ensure they meet performance and safety requirements Streamline the production process Determine whether new machines are needed or whether overtime work is necessary Fix any production problems. Industrial production managers, also called plant managers, may oversee an entire manufacturing plant or a specific area of production. Industrial production managers work closely with managers from other departments as well. For example, the procurement (buying) department orders the supplies that the production department uses. A breakdown in communication between these two departments can cause production slowdowns. Industrial production managers also communicate with other managers and departments, such as sales, warehousing, finance, and research and design. Industrial production managers split their time between the production area and a nearby office. When they are working in the production area, they may need to wear protective equipment, such as a helmet or safety goggles.
Job Skills	Many industrial production managers begin as production workers and move up through the ranks. They usually advance to a first-line supervisory position before eventually becoming an industrial production manager. Most earn a college degree in business management or take company-sponsored classes to increase their chances of a promotion. Alternatively, a worker who joins a firm immediately after graduating from college may work as first-line supervisor before beginning a job as a production manager. Some begin working as an industrial production manager directly after college or graduate school. They may spend their first few months in training programs, becoming familiar with the production process, company policies, and safety regulations. In large companies, many also spend short periods of time working in other departments, such as purchasing or accounting, to learn more about the company. Interpersonal skills. Industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills so they can work well other managers and with staff. Leadership skills. To keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct the employees they manage. Problem-solving skills. Production managers must identify problems immediately and solve them. For example, if a product has a defect, the manager determines whether it is a one-time problem or the result of the production process. Time-management skills. To meet production deadlines, managers must carefully manage their employees’ time as well as their own.
Resources	Bureau of Labor Statistics: Industrial Production Manager

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