Role Profile

Production Manager

Typical job description:

Production Managers are responsible for ensuring that all resources needed for the manufacture of products are used efficiently to achieve the right quality, quantity and cost, and that they are produced on time. They manage all production personnel, perhaps through supervisors or team leaders. They work with managers from other production support departments to ensure continuity of the production process.

The work involves managing people and ensuring that the correct equipment and machinery is available for production. Planning for increases in production output for existing and new products will involve the manager in recruiting new staff and selecting new machines and equipment

Key Processes:

The exact nature of the work will depend on the size of the employing organisation.
However, it will almost certainly involve:

  • Reviewing current work practices to identify areas in which quality or productivity could be improved.
  • Forward planning of resource requirements
  • Working with customers to resolve quality and delivery issues
  • Monitoring the manufacturing process
  • Monitor and review production efficiencies
  • Identify employee training needs and deal with personnel issues
  • Estimating the costs of new jobs

Entry Level:

Considerable experience is needed as a production manager. This may have been obtained through a graduate management trainee scheme, promotion from within the company with an individual having HNC/D qualifications or recruitment externally by a practising manager with a degree in engineering or operational management.

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Pay and conditions:

Salaries range from £25,000 to £50,000 per year depending on size of employer.

Between 35 and 40 hours per week. However this is not a nine to five job and it may require unsocial hours, particularly if there are tight deadlines or new process equipment being installed.

Industry Standard:

Diploma in Operational Management – Institute of Operational Management
N/SVQ Levels 4, 5 in Management – Chartered Management Institute

Competencies:

  • Able to analyse and interpret statistics
  • High standard in computer literacy.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Able to manage individuals and teams
  • Good communication presentation and written skills
  • Technically competent in the manufacturing process to be managed.

Knowledge needed for the role:

  • Current processing technology methods
  • Information Communications Technology
  • Quality Assurance specifications and procedures
  • Health & Safety Legislation
  • Personnel Policies – Grievance, Disciplinary
  • Planning and scheduling techniques
  • Costing and estimating techniques
  • Continuous Improvement techniques

Other information:

To find courses near you visit www.learndirect-advice.co.uk

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