Planning and Organizing Production Schedules: They assess project and resource requirements, estimate, negotiate and agree on budgets and timescales with clients and managers.
Overseeing Production Processes: The Production Manager supervises the production process, sets quality standards, and ensures that the production meets these standards.
Resource Management: They are responsible for selecting, ordering, and purchasing materials. They manage and optimize the use of resources, including labor, materials, and equipment, to meet production targets.
People Management: They oversee the work of supervisors and workers, provide training, set objectives, conduct performance evaluations, and ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Quality Control: Implementing and maintaining quality control systems, and working with quality control professionals to ensure final product quality.
Problem-Solving: Addressing problems and bottlenecks in the production process, implementing and refining solutions.
Liaising with Different Departments: Coordinating with other departments like marketing, finance, and logistics to align production with other aspects of the business.
Compliance and Safety: Ensuring that the production is cost-effective, and monitoring the production processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. They are also responsible for ensuring that health and safety guidelines are followed.
Improving Efficiency and Cost-Savings: Working to improve the efficiency of the production process, reducing waste, and looking for cost-saving opportunities.
Reporting: They are responsible for producing regular reports on production metrics, challenges, and achievements.
Requirements
Educational Background:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Industrial Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
In some industries, a more specialized degree might be preferred, such as a degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
Relevant Experience:
Several years of experience in a production or manufacturing setting, often with a progression through roles of increasing responsibility.
Experience in supervising or managing a team, including experience in staff training and development.
Technical Skills:
Knowledge of production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Familiarity with industry-specific software and technology.
Management Skills:
Strong leadership and people management skills, including the ability to motivate and lead a team.
Effective communication skills, capable of conveying information to team members, other departments, and upper management.
Problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
Organizational Abilities:
Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively to meet deadlines.
Attention to Detail:
A keen eye for detail to ensure high levels of quality.
Understanding of Compliance and Safety:
Knowledge of health and safety standards and compliance, and a commitment to maintaining a safe workplace.
Business Acumen:
Understanding business operations, including budgeting, financial planning, and strategy development.
Continuous Improvement Mindset:
Willingness to continuously learn and adapt, and to seek out and implement improvements in the production process.
Interpersonal Skills:
Strong negotiation skills for dealing with suppliers and clients.
Ability to work well under pressure and manage stress effectively.