How To Become A General Production Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a general production manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

In companies with a manufacturing arm, it is important that the production of materials and goods are uninterrupted. Interruptions may cause a negative impact on the company due to financial losses, market losses, and even manpower resignations. As such, it is important that a strong-willed manager oversees the production. This is why a General Production Manager is needed.

General Production Managers oversee the whole production floor. They ensure that each segment or section is fully-equipped with what they need and that all equipment in the facility is in top shape. They also ensure that occupational health and safety protocols are followed at all times. In addition to this, they also check the finished products or materials and coordinate with the quality control team. This would ensure that all equipment and everyone on the floor is working well.

If you are the type of person who likes supervising others, this will be interesting for you. You also need to have general production knowledge and can command respect when you enter a room.

ScoreGeneral Production ManagerUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $32,434

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 5.68%

Black or African American 12.24%

Hispanic or Latino 14.51%

Unknown 4.25%

White 62.60%

Gender

female 26.65%

male 73.35%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a general production manager

Explore general production manager education requirements

Most common general production manager degrees

Bachelor's

40.1 %

High School Diploma

24.6 %

Associate

18.3 %

Start to develop specific general production manager skills

Skills	Percentages
General Production	32.02%
Food Safety	27.96%
Hand Tools	12.50%
HR	3.80%
Quality Standards	3.08%

Complete relevant general production manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New general production managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a general production manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real general production manager resumes.

Research general production manager duties and responsibilities

Demonstrate ability to manage multiple departments and improvement projects, prepare short and long term goals focusing on company KPI's.
Manage production control group and supply replenishment logistics for the manufacturing division.
Facilitate monthly safety meetings and ensure compliance with HACCP, SSOP and GMP.
Return work environment within OSHA standards.

Apply for general production manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a general production manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do general production managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

General production manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022

Pros

Being able to create a work environment where people flourish, come together, build good relationships form positive teamwork, watching work flow smoothly, reaching or exceeding goals, and be accountable. 2. An opportunity to learn shop floor activities technically and also to develop managerial skills.

Cons

When my children were young and still in school, I didn't like not having a work-life balance to be with the family. But now my family is grown up with there own families.

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

Team work , layout understand ing, and clients conversations skills

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

A great leader, leads by example. Leading organization with team effort, to learn and grow.

Cons

No effort in team work, disorganized, no leadership.

What is a general production manager and how to become one

General production manager career paths

Key steps to become a general production manager

Explore general production manager education requirements

Most common general production manager degrees

Start to develop specific general production manager skills

Complete relevant general production manager training and internships

Research general production manager duties and responsibilities

Apply for general production manager jobs

How did you land your first general production manager job

Average general production manager salary

How do general production managers rate their job?

General production manager reviews

General production manager jobs by state