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What does a Production Manager do?

D. Jeffress
D. Jeffress

A production manager typically supervises workers in a factory or manufacturing plant to ensure efficiency. He or she determines the quantity of certain items to be produced, inspects the quality of workmanship on finished goods, and schedules regular maintenance on machinery. In addition, the production manager is often involved in making shipping arrangements with distribution centers and retail stores. Managers usually need to possess strong communication and problem-solving skills to make sure that manufacturing processes run smoothly and that workers are kept safe at all times.

Production managers usually work on-site in factories to monitor activity and give directions to workers. Executives and other supervisors provide managers with information about market demand and budgets so that they can set production schedules. They make sure that daily quotas are met by keeping workers on task and informed of procedural changes. If production falls behind for any reason, managers can determine the best ways to get back on schedule.

Workers in a manufacturing plant are usually overseen by a production manager.
Workers in a manufacturing plant are usually overseen by a production manager.

Many managers are also responsible for hiring and training new workers. They conduct regular performance reviews and meet individually with workers to help them identify ways to improve their techniques. Whenever workers have suggestions or concern, the production manager is usually the first point of contact.

Implementing quality control policies typically is an essential part of a production manager's job. The manager designs detailed product quality checklists and monitors items as they are constructed. Every item is scrutinized before it can be packaged and shipped in many small factories. In large manufacturing plants, a sample of products that come off of the assembly line is selected at random to undergo careful inspection and testing to ensure that they contain no defects. The production manager might perform personal inspections or oversee a group of quality-control workers.

Production managers implement quality control policies and monitor items as they are produced.
Production managers implement quality control policies and monitor items as they are produced.

Routine preventive maintenance on manufacturing equipment can be important to avert potential standstills in production. The manager is responsible for scheduling maintenance work and regular inspections on equipment to make sure that machines are clean, safe, and running efficiently. He or she determines the need for new machinery and orders replacement parts when necessary.

Production managers may coordinate systems that ensure the proper shipping and handling of products.
Production managers may coordinate systems that ensure the proper shipping and handling of products.

Most production managers hold bachelor's degrees or higher in business administration or industrial management. They usually begin their careers as floor workers or assistant managers in a factory, and advance to supervisory positions after gaining experience and exhibiting strong leadership skills. With continuing education in business administration, many professionals who excel in production management positions eventually assume head manager or executive roles in their companies.

Discussion Comments

SZapper

@starrynight - I generally agree with you that a manager should have experience. However I think sometimes it can be good to hire someone from "outside." Often the new person will have fresh new ideas that can implemented to everyones benefit.

I was in a situation similar to what you're describing. A fresh college grad was hired to manage a team that had been working in the industry for quite awhile. However, instead of coming in like he knew everything the the new manager got a lot of input from the team. He was able to combine his knowledge with that of the existing employees and the business ended up doing better than ever before.

starrynight

I think it's great that usually production managers start of as floor workers or assistant managers. I think a manager should definitely have a degree, but they also need experience in what they are managing.

I've worked in a few situations where someone fresh out of college with a degree, but not experience, was hired to manage experienced workers. It didn't work out very well. The workers knew more about the job than the manager did! They also didn't respect someone who was so young and inexperienced. In both cases those managers were fired and replaced with someone from within the existing team.

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    • Workers in a manufacturing plant are usually overseen by a production manager.
      By: .shock
      Workers in a manufacturing plant are usually overseen by a production manager.
    • Production managers implement quality control policies and monitor items as they are produced.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Production managers implement quality control policies and monitor items as they are produced.
    • Production managers may coordinate systems that ensure the proper shipping and handling of products.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Production managers may coordinate systems that ensure the proper shipping and handling of products.
    • Keeping the assembly line running is of paramount importance.
      By: gemenacom
      Keeping the assembly line running is of paramount importance.
    • Production managers use information about market demand and budgets in order to set production schedules.
      By: pfpgroup
      Production managers use information about market demand and budgets in order to set production schedules.