When working in any industry, a management position is often the goal. Great managers have the unique ability to inspire their employees, guide team members, direct daily operations, and lead a company to success. In manufacturing, managers are critical to running a facility. Manufacturing managers help ensure that equipment performs efficiently, operations are safe, production volume is met, and quality is assured. In a way, they are the backbone of the manufacturing facility. But what do they do, exactly?

The manufacturing manager job description is impactful, full of essential responsibilities to keep a facility running smooth. Their job duties can vary depending on the workplace environment, exact job title, and employer, but there are daily tasks that most manufacturing managers can expect.

If you are new to manufacturing, you may be wondering what goes into this role: What do manufacturing managers do, exactly? And, what’s required to land this job? Or, if you are a seasoned worker in the field, you may be wondering what it will take to advance in your current position: How can you meet the qualifications outlined in the manufacturing manager job description?

We cover these questions – and more – below.

What Does a Manufacturing Manager Do?

Manufacturing managers oversee the daily operations of a manufacturing facility. They coordinate, plan, and direct all the activities that go into the production process. Manufacturing managers can run an entire plant or oversee a specific area of the manufacturing process. Thus, their job description may vary based on the title and scope of work. However, most manufacturing managers will help to:

• Set up the machines and a safe environment for production
• Manage the workflow for a production project
• Ensure efficiency during the process
• Oversee the quality assurance of produced materials or goods

In conjunction with the above, manufacturing managers typically do the following tasks:

• Establish goals for production, and coordinate a plan to meet those goals
• Ensure production stays on schedule
• Assure products meet quality standards
• Write production reports
• Analyze production data and optimize for efficiency
• Direct an efficient layout of equipment and flow of materials
• Ensure workers and equipment meet performance and safety requirements
• Watch for hiccups in the process, and look for opportunities to improve operations
• Hire, train, and assess the performance of workers
• Support workers as questions, concerns, or feedback arises
• Supervise staff and delegate tasks to employees
• Communicate with other departments, such as the financial department to establish budgets, HR department to hire new workers, or the logistics department to ensure the delivery of products

It’s important to note that there may be more specific, designated management roles within the field. For example, you can take on the role of a:

• Production manager, specifically overseeing the production process
• Quality control manager, overseeing the quality control team
• Lean manufacturing manager, focused on improving efficiencies and processes in a facility
• Operations manager, overseeing the daily on-floor operations of a manufacturing plant

As you can see, manufacturing managers take on a highly important role. Rest assured they are also compensated accordingly. In 2020, industrial production managers earned a median salary of $108,790 annually. Certain areas of manufacturing have even higher pay potential, such as transportation equipment manufacturing, which pays an average of $114,850 per year for managers.

How to Qualify for the Manufacturing Manager Job Description:

With the range of job duties and level of responsibility involved in this job, manufacturing managers are expected to have a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Management or a related manufacturing field will position you for the most success when applying for this type of role.

Manufacturing managers may also need experience or hands-on training in a manufacturing facility if they did not receive that through a degree program. If you are already working in manufacturing, this experience can give you a leg up against the competition. In fact, production workers with many years of experience can often take management classes to become production managers.

If you are brand-new to the field, though, rest assured that many manufacturing degree programs do offer experiential training in various areas of production. At Goodwin’s manufacturing school, for example, students gain practical experience on state-of-the-art machinery and technology used in modern manufacturing plants.

On the typical manufacturing manager job description, you can expect the following requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, business, or engineering
• Prior management or manufacturing experience is preferred
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Excellent team-building and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage cross-functional team members
• Technical competencies in manufacturing (e.g. technical drawings, blueprints, CAD/CAM)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other industry software

While this list of skillsets may seem intimidating, rest assured that the right manufacturing management program will set you on a path towards success. The right degree program will equip you with the knowledge and competencies needed to launch a career and stand out to employers. You will gain experience on equipment, learn about manufacturing processes, and discover all the tactics needed to run a business.

At Goodwin, the manufacturing management program covers general business management topics like Operations Management, Applied Accounting, Team Dynamics, Organizational Communications, and more. Additionally, students gain familiarity with specific manufacturing management topics, like Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Logistics, Industrial Safety, and more. By the time you graduate with your bachelor’s in hand, you will be well-prepared to take on a leadership role in this field.

Learn more about how to become a manufacturing manager here.

Whether you are new to manufacturing or looking to climb the ranks at your company, there is great promise and potential in a manufacturing manager role. Manufacturing managers are needed in a variety of settings, as the manufacturing industry as a whole continues to progress. Are you ready to take charge and lead us into the next industrial milestone? Get started today by calling Goodwin University at 800-889-3282. You may also explore our manufacturing management program online.