Job Description
The production manager will oversee the manufacturing process and make sure that the production lines are running smoothly. They will make sure that deadlines are met within budget and to the standard required.
Entry Requirements
You can get into this job through:
Apprenticeship
You can complete a degree apprenticeship in management.
You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
Click here to search for an apprenticeship.
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in manufacturing. Courses at university often specialise in a particular industry, for instance food processing, motor vehicles or pharmaceuticals.
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Click here to search for a suitable course.
Work
You could start as an engineering technician or quality control officer in a manufacturing company. You could then become a team leader and shift supervisor before moving into production management.
Direct Application
You could apply for a place on a management training scheme with a manufacturing company. They usually ask for a degree but you may be able to start without university qualifications if you can show you've enough relevant industry experience.
Career tips
Knowledge of quality management methods, like Lean and Six Sigma, might be useful.
You can find out more about careers in production management from The Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport.
Career Path and Progression
With experience, you could move into overall factory management or strategic planning roles at regional or national level.
If you work for a large national or international company, you may have the opportunity to work overseas.
Related careers you may be interested in:
- Food factory worker
- Manufacturing supervisor
- Manufacturing systems engineer
- Measurement and control engineer
- Packaging technologist
Required Skills
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to formulate ideas and communicate them to others
- Work well under pressure
- Good at problem solving
- Excellent IT skills
Salary Range
£20,000 to £40,000
