The state of the economy has changed the world of manufacturing as we know it. Today, industry leaders must confront new challenges, such as a growing global market, reduced product life cycles, and the consumer’s interest in diverse, high-quality products. Successful manufacturers in the U.S. are facing these demands with a combination of state-of-the-art technology and implementing new organizational structures for efficient use of this modern equipment.
Anyone interested in a career in the manufacturing industry should consider earning a manufacturing management degree. Students learn the skills needed to succeed in advanced and high-paying positions, such as the supervision of manufacturing processes, management of human and mechanical resources (with budgetary and schedule constraints), and assurance of lean manufacturing processes – all resulting in high-quality products.
But what can you do with a manufacturing management degree? The Manufacturing Management program at Goodwin College prepares students to assume leadership and managerial roles in a variety of modern manufacturing environments. Here, we will list some of the many types of manufacturing management careers you can land with a degree in hand, and what each of these jobs entails.
- Quality Manager
Quality Managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct the activities used to create a wide range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, or paper products. This gig is a solid career path for anyone interested in enjoying a successful future making (and ensuring) the highest quality products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for industrial production managers was $100,580 in May 2017.
- Logistician
Logisticians enjoy a wide variety when it comes to their professional life, working in nearly every industry and at a very fast-pace. They analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, allocated, and delivered. The BLS reports that the median annual pay for logisticians is $74,590. And the outlook for this role is bright! The BLS expects employment for Logisticians to grow 7% over the next several years.
- Purchasing Agent
Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents and typically handle more complex procurement tasks. Purchasing Agents earn a median salary of $66,610 per year, according to the BLS.
- First-Line Supervisor
First-line supervisors directly oversee and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. This is another job with a comfortable wage. The BLS reports First-Line Supervisors earn a median salary of $62,660 each year.
- Production Planner
If you’re interested in a hands-on manufacturing management career that offers a mixed bag of tasks, you may want to consider the role of Production Planner. In this job, you coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of your company according to production schedule. Daily duties include things like reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; meeting with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and putting together reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems. The BLS reports that this career offers a median annual salary of $49,020.
This is just the beginning of the many manufacturing careers you can pursue with a specialized management education. In addition to the above, you can also become a:
- Facilities Supervisor
- Inspection Supervisor
- Safety Supervisor
- Inventory Manager
- Human Resources Administrator
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Manufacturing Supervisor
- Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
Here in the United States, manufacturing is the backbone of our economy. Our ability to innovate and create products, tools, and services that transform the way we live and operate is an incredible and exciting part of the American dream! You can become a part of that dream in the pursuit of your manufacturing management degree at Goodwin College. With the variety of manufacturing manager jobs out there calling for qualified pros like you, there is no reason to wait.
Goodwin College offers hands-on learning in manufacturing, with the most advanced, state-of-the-art technology used by industry professionals today. Become a leader in this ever-changing, advanced, and high-technology field. Learn more about our program online or call us at 1-800-889-3282.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.