What does a manufacturing manager do?
A manufacturing manager is an individual who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization's production process to ensure that all workers and departments meet the organization's productivity and efficiency standards. Manufacturing managers work under a department head and assist them in planning and directing an efficient equipment layout and material flow. They implement quality control programs that ensure finished products are in par with a certain standard. They also train manufacturing workers and monitor them to ensure that they meet performance and safety requirements.
Manufacturing manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing manager resumes:
- Lead plant start up efforts by implementing TPM systems, training, tracking, course correction.
- Manage a 3 shift 63 machinist , 15 mfg engineers, and 5 support CNC machining operations.
- Manage cross-functional teams to derive root cause analysis and resolutions for deviations, investigations and CAPA's.
- Manage tech transfers, DFM, suppliers and CMO on late stage & commercial drug-device combination products.
- Manage all tissue valve production functions including QC inspection, machine shop, custom device and surgical accessories.
- Utilize applicable decision making tools to consider assets, evaluate effectiveness and realign to achieve strategic goals and ROI.
- Generate management review metrics, identify KPIs and implement MRP tracking system.
- Serve as point of contact on manufacturing issues for the FDA, DEA, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
- Implement lead manufacturing principles to achieve continuous improvement processes; hire qualified machinists; ensure division-wide OSHA compliance.
- Promote the KAIZEN star program.
- Lead DFM reviews at board and system levels.
- Help in engineering department with machine design via SolidWorks and AutoCAD as needed.
- Direct prototype techs on a project basis to meet new equipment run off requirements.
- Implement six sigma quality initiatives, improving process capability from 1.0 to greater than 1.7 CPK.
- Programme aerospace parts in Inconel, Wasperloy, Hasperloy & Renee using Mastercam and Solidworks software.
Manufacturing manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Manufacturing Managers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and Production Schedules. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Manufacturing Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 10%
Drive manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement plans in order to achieve aggressive quality, cost reduction, productivity and inventory goals.
- Lean Manufacturing, 9%
Created/delivered structured Lean Manufacturing coursework.
- Production Schedules, 4%
Coordinated work assignments to meet production schedules, manufactured products to meet quality specification, evaluates production department and individual performance.
- Production Supervisors, 4%
Give directions and immediate supervision to Production supervisors, CNC programmers, Manufacturing engineer and Planning and inventory management team.
- Sigma, 4%
Sponsored various Six Sigma Belt Projects for Engineer providing guidance in process, solution implementation and stakeholder management.
- Project Management, 3%
Implemented professional-development programs for manufacturing personnel in yield and quality management, project management, leadership, and manufacturing optimization.
Common skills that a manufacturing manager uses to do their job include "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," and "production schedules." You can find details on the most important manufacturing manager responsibilities below.
Leadership skills. The most essential soft skill for a manufacturing manager to carry out their responsibilities is leadership skills. This skill is important for the role because "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Additionally, a manufacturing manager resume shows how their duties depend on leadership skills: "received employee excellence award for erp project completion from oas leadership. "
Problem-solving skills. Many manufacturing manager duties rely on problem-solving skills. "production managers must identify and address problems that arise," so a manufacturing manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways manufacturing manager responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "researched erp systems as a prerequisite to an integrated solution for anticipated growth. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain manufacturing manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a manufacturing manager rely on this skill, as "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what manufacturing managers do: "train and certify production supervisors to written procedures and to develop interpersonal skills. "
The three companies that hire the most manufacturing managers are:
- Ernst & Young75 manufacturing managers jobs
- System One52 manufacturing managers jobs
- Thermo Fisher Scientific35 manufacturing managers jobs
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Compare different manufacturing managers
Manufacturing manager vs. General supervisor
A general supervisor supervises and oversees the daily performance of workers. They are expected to set goals and deadlines for their company. They may also have to organize employees' workflow and ensure that they understand their duties. They also monitor the productivity of employees and give constructive feedback.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, manufacturing manager responsibilities require skills like "project management," "safety program," "customer service," and "lean six sigma." Meanwhile a typical general supervisor has skills in areas such as "oversight," "safety procedures," "professional work," and "hr." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
General supervisors really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $105,521. Comparatively, manufacturing managers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $110,391.On average, general supervisors reach similar levels of education than manufacturing managers. General supervisors are 0.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing manager vs. Production administrator
Production administrators support all artistic and production functions with expert administrative support to the entire production team. Part of their responsibilities includes maintaining the annual production expenses and production calendar, researching potential venues and maintaining a venue database, and preparing expense reports for artists and production staff. These administrators must be excellent in organization and planning skills, comfortable and flexible with evolving roles, and highly proficient in computer skills such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real manufacturing manager resumes. While manufacturing manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "production supervisors," and "sigma," production administrators use skills like "data entry," "purchase orders," "windows," and "payroll."
On average, production administrators earn a lower salary than manufacturing managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, production administrators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $43,182. Whereas manufacturing managers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $110,391.production administrators earn lower levels of education than manufacturing managers in general. They're 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing manager vs. Plant superintendent
Plant superintendents must have skills in operations, productions, and management. They also need a 4-year degree in business or industrial management. Those who choose this career will be called upon to oversee a plant's manufacturing processes and to recommend improvements to increase productivity. They also enforce all state and federal regulations for plant operations and employee safety.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from manufacturing manager resumes include skills like "project management," "customer service," "lean six sigma," and "logistics," whereas a plant superintendent is more likely to list skills in "plant safety," "asphalt," "production equipment," and "equipment maintenance. "
Plant superintendents make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $116,194. On the other hand, manufacturing managers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $110,391.plant superintendents typically earn similar educational levels compared to manufacturing managers. Specifically, they're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing manager vs. Continuous improvement manager
A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between manufacturing managers and continuous improvement managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a manufacturing manager might have more use for skills like "production schedules," "production supervisors," "safety program," and "quality standards." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of continuous improvement managers require skills like "kaizen events," "lean tools," "dmaic," and "management system. "
In general, continuous improvement managers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $95,413. The highest-paying industry for a manufacturing manager is the retail industry.The average resume of continuous improvement managers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to manufacturing managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.Types of manufacturing manager
Updated January 8, 2025
