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Production managers are responsible for the technical management, supervision and control of industrial production processes.

Production managers ensure that manufacturing processes run reliably and efficiently.

Responsibilities of the job include:

• planning and organising production schedules

• assessing project and resource requirements

• estimating, negotiating and agreeing budgets and timescales with clients and managers

• ensuring that health and safety regulations are met

• determining quality control standards

• overseeing production processes

• re-negotiating timescales or schedules as necessary

• selecting, ordering and purchasing materials

• organising the repair and routine maintenance of production equipment

• liaising with buyers and marketing and sales staff

• supervising the work of junior staff

• organising relevant training sessions

In larger companies, there may be close links between production management and general or strategic management and marketing or finance roles.

Qualifications and training required

It is possible to enter this profession with a degree or higher national diploma (HND) in any subject. However, depending on the industry you are trying to enter, some employers may require a sector-specific discipline such as business management, electrical, electronic, mechanical, process or production engineering, materials science or biochemistry.

Key skills for production managers

• Confidence

• Technical skills

• Project management skills

• Organisation and efficiency

• Leadership and interpersonal skills

• Problem solving skills

• IT and numerical skills

• Communication skills

• Teamworking skills

Managers must also be able to handle responsibility and the pressure of meeting deadlines.

Typical employers of production managers

Food manufacturing and processing companies employ the majority of production managers.

Most graduates begin their career as a trainee or in a junior post such as a production supervisor, material planner or in inventory control. With appropriate experience, production managers may gain responsibility for several sites, possibly including production plants overseas.