Industrial Production Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production activities that produce millions of goods every year.
Primary Objectives of Industrial Production Managers:
- The primary objective of the Industrial Production Manager is to make sure that production proceeds smoothly and stays within budget.
- Some Industrial Production Managers are put in charge of the entire plant.
- Other Industrial Production Managers are only in charge of certain areas.
The Industrial Production Manager is responsible to make sure that production proceeds smoothly and stays within budget. One of the main responsibilities of the Industrial Production Manager is to oversee the production process, reducing costs wherever necessary. The Industrial Production Manager makes sure that products are produced on time and are of good quality. They are not in charge of quality control but they do try to make sure that the products are in good quality before quality control takes over to check the products. The Industrial Production Manager is able to do this by analyzing the plant’s workers, resources, and capital to select the best way of meeting the production goals. Industrial Production Managers may decide which machines will be used, whether new machines need to be purchased, whether overtime or extra shifts are necessary, and what the order of production should be. The Industrial Production Manager monitors the production process to make sure that it stays on schedule and they correct any problems that may arise.
The Industrial Production Manager’s job is to find ways to make the production process more efficient. It is well known that the traditional mass assembly lines have been replaced by “lean” production techniques, which gives managers more flexibility. In a traditional assembly line, each worker is responsible for only a small part of the job, repeating the same task for every product. The ‘lean’ production method uses teams to build and assemble products in stations or cells, so instead of specializing in one task, workers can perform all jobs within their team. In this way Industrial Production Managers can more easily change production levels and staffing on different product lines to minimize inventory levels and to react more quickly to changing customer demands.
Industrial Production Managers also monitor product standards and implement quality-control programs. Industrial Production Managers make sure the finished product meets a certain level of quality. If the product does not meet that level, Industrial Production Managers try to find out what the problem is and find a solution. Industrial Production Manager may implement better training programs or work with an outside supplier to improve the quality of raw materials. Industrial Production Managers key part of their work is to coordinate with different departments in the manufacturing plant. Industrial Production Managers work closely with other managers to implement the company’s policies and goals. Industrial Production Managers work with the financial departments to come up with a budget and spending plan. The Industrial Production Manager must also work closely with the heads of sales, procurement, and logistics. A breakdown in communications between the Industrial Production Manager and other departments can cause slowdowns and a failure to meet production schedules. Just-in-time production techniques have reduced inventory levels, making constant communication among the manager, suppliers, and procurement departments even more important. Industrial Production Managers must keep abreast of new technology that can be used in the production process. They must be computer savvy, as computers increasingly play an integral role in the manufacturing process and the coordination among departments, suppliers, and clients.
A college degree is very helpful in order to become an Industrial Production Managers; however, there is no standard preparation for a career in this field. You may find an employer who is willing to train you in the field of Industrial Production Management as most employers prefer to do the training that will fit in with what their company requires. Most employers do prefer an applicant with a college degree in industrial engineering, management, industrial technology, or business administration. Applicants who have a degree in management, industrial technology or business administration are preferred and have the best opportunity for the position. Some Industrial Production Managers are former production-line supervisors who have been promoted and have taken employer-sponsored training.