What does an associate production manager do?
An Associate Production Manager performs administrative support tasks while overseeing daily production operations, ensuring projects are completed within budgets, deadlines, and quality standards. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes setting objectives and guidelines, keeping track of costs, liaising with vendors and suppliers, preparing and processing paperwork, and resolving issues should any arise. An Associate Production Manager delegates tasks and monitors staff's performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Associate production manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate production manager resumes:
- Manage operations of a high-precision machining facility consisting of state-of-the-art CNC machine tools.
- Monitor weekly WIP reports from factories/vendors to ensure on time delivery.
- Review weekly WIP reports send by agents and follow up on any discrepancies.
- Monitor control plans, troubleshoot workmanship problems and supervise production activities to ensure manufacture products meet or exceed establish quality requirements.
- Analyze planning documentation from the MRP system to purchase for production requirements.
- Resolve inventory or material shortages issues through review of MRP system and transaction.
- Train hourly and management personnel in debone operations procedures.
Associate production manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Associate Production Managers are proficient in Quality Standards, Purchase Orders, and Product Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Associate Production Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Quality Standards, 23%
Directed and managed all production processes ensuring company's quantity and quality standards.
- Purchase Orders, 21%
Place purchase orders for international and domestic vendors and maintain order tracking system to ensure timely delivery of merchandise.
- Product Development, 6%
Implemented new product development process by identifying innovative vendor base to support seasonal design and platform strategies.
- PLM, 6%
Maintained costing and merchandise SKU data entry into PLM and ACT.
- Quality Issues, 3%
Communicate any quality issues and manage return of goods/replacement process for all components.
- Status Reports, 3%
Supported the Visual Effects Supervisor, facilitated artist reviews and updated status reports.
Most associate production managers use their skills in "quality standards," "purchase orders," and "product development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate production manager responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for an associate production manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what associate production managers do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, an associate production manager resume shows how associate production managers use interpersonal skills: "use my interpersonal skills and basic technical knowledge of production equipment with a hands-on approach to managing. "
Leadership skills. Many associate production manager duties rely on leadership skills. "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees.," so an associate production manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways associate production manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "provided leadership, guidance, mentoring, and personnel development for the direct reports. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for associate production managers to perform their duties. For an example of how associate production manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an associate production manager: "resolved and coordinate production issues by communicating with design, sales, and tech. ".
The three companies that hire the most associate production managers are:
- BrightView17 associate production managers jobs
- BrightView Landscape Development Inc16 associate production managers jobs
- Tesla7 associate production managers jobs
Compare different associate production managers
Associate production manager vs. Lead operator
Lead operators are responsible for the direction and supervision of the day-to-day activities in facilities. As machine operators, they control machines and take charge of industrial operations. They handle and move objects, monitor processes, and inspect materials, structures, and equipment. Also, they may serve as mentors for the new production employees concerning occupational health and safety. They must be skilled in safety procedures, heavy equipment, preventive maintenance, and other things related to machine operations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, associate production manager responsibilities require skills like "purchase orders," "product development," "plm," and "sketch." Meanwhile a typical lead operator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "hr," "project management," and "shipping receiving." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Lead operators really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,784. Comparatively, associate production managers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $100,023.lead operators tend to reach similar levels of education than associate production managers. In fact, lead operators are 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Associate production manager vs. Lead person
A lead person or lead worker is an employee who provides leadership and instructions to others in a group to complete tasks quickly and effectively. Lead workers plan and organize meetings with supervisors and the management to discuss a particular project's progress and development. Lead persons would often participate in the training of new employees about their job duties. As the group leader, lead persons must also ensure that employees are following company policies and adhere to all standards and guidelines.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that associate production manager responsibilities requires skills like "purchase orders," "product development," "plm," and "sketch." But a lead person might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety rules," "iso," "safety regulations," and "cnc."
Lead people may earn a higher salary than associate production managers, but lead people earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $92,105. On the other hand, associate production managers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $100,023.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Lead people tend to reach similar levels of education than associate production managers. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate production manager vs. Supervisor
Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met. When needed, supervisors also provide guidance to employees in terms of their career or even personal challenges. They also help in fostering harmonious work relationships by resolving interpersonal conflicts at work. To be successful in their role, they must have leadership skills, time management skills, decision-making capabilities, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from associate production manager resumes include skills like "purchase orders," "product development," "plm," and "sketch," whereas a supervisor is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "safety procedures," "sales floor," and "direct supervision. "
Supervisors earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $60,088. Associate production managers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $100,023.When it comes to education, supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to associate production managers. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Associate production manager vs. Shop foreman
A shop foreman is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of a shop, ensuring that the staff members perform their duties to address customers' needs. A shop foreman manages staffing schedules, trains new employees, and distributes tasks. They often work in manufacturing, automotive, and warehouse industries, which require knowledge of operating equipment. A shop foreman must have excellent leadership and communication skills, especially on addressing customers' inquiries and complaints and performing clerical tasks as needed.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between associate production managers and shop foremen, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an associate production manager might have more use for skills like "quality standards," "purchase orders," "product development," and "plm." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of shop foremen require skills like "customer service," "preventative maintenance," "cdl," and "cnc. "
Shop foremen enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $76,003. For comparison, associate production managers earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.In general, shop foremen hold similar degree levels compared to associate production managers. Shop foremen are 3.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of associate production manager
Updated January 8, 2025
