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
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
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.
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