Production manager (manufacturing)

Production managers make sure manufacturing processes run smoothly and cost-effectively, and deliver products on time.

Salary range: £20,000 to £40,000

How to become a production manager (manufacturing)

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in manufacturing. Courses at university often specialise in a particular industry, for instance food processing, motor vehicles or pharmaceuticals.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You could learn some of the skills you need for this job from a college course, like a Level 4 Certificate or Diploma in Management.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can complete a degree apprenticeship in management.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could start as an engineering technician or quality control officer in a manufacturing company. You could then become a team leader and shift supervisor before moving into production management.

Direct application

You could apply for a place on a management training scheme with a manufacturing company. They usually ask for a degree but you may be able to start without university qualifications if you can show you’ve enough relevant industry experience.

More information

Career tips

Knowledge of quality management methods, like Lean and Six Sigma, might be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in production management from The Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• leadership skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your tasks will depend on what type of production you’re managing and could include:

• planning – preparing orders, setting quality standards and estimating timescales and costs
• controlling – monitoring production schedules and adjusting them if problems occur
• supervising – managing supervisors, organising staff and making sure targets are met
• reporting – putting together production reports for factory managers and clients

Working environment

You could work in an office or in a factory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move 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.