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What is a manufacturing program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

As a manufacturing program manager, you would be responsible for coordinating efforts in the company and managing projects. Of course, you will be required to work in manufacturing companies which could be automobile companies.

Your responsibilities include providing coaching and mentoring to the team and creating a collaborative and enabling work environment. You will also create and drive project schedules, delegate tasks, monitor schedule progress, and ensure that the goals and priorities of each project are taken care of. You will also be expected to collaborate with the staff and management of multiple business units, design teams, and other relevant units to clearly outline project goals, expectations, and tasks.

An average manufacturing program manager earns $69,752 annually, which is valued at $33.53 an hour. Relevant skills for every manufacturing program manager are sigma, project management, logistics, team leadership, and production control. The most commonly required educational qualification is a bachelor's degree in business or any relevant engineering field.

What's a day at work look like for a manufacturing program manager?

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.Meaghan Goodman Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Program Director & Assistant Professor, Maryville University

A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
ScoreManufacturing Program ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.0

Avg. Salary $76,289

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.9

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 9.11%

Black or African American 3.82%

Hispanic or Latino 13.09%

Unknown 3.87%

White 69.61%

Gender

female 14.61%

male 85.39%

Age - 48
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 - 48
Stress level
9.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.3

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing program manager career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing program manager

  1. Explore manufacturing program manager education requirements

    Most common manufacturing program manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    74.0 %

    Master's

    15.7 %

    Associate

    7.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing program manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Sigma12.99%
    Continuous Improvement12.33%
    Project Management12.11%
    Process Improvement5.43%
    Lean Six Sigma5.13%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing program manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing program 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 manufacturing program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing program manager resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing program manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead team responsible for logistics, materials, incircuit, assembly, strain measurement, x-ray, and failure analysis.
    • Implement lead manufacturing principles to achieve continuous improvement processes; hire qualified machinists; ensure division-wide OSHA compliance.
    • Conduct sufficient in-house design reviews per ISO work instructions.
    • Manage project responsibilities from concept and prototyping of a product to FDA approval process through implementation into commercialization.
  5. Apply for manufacturing program manager jobs

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

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

How did you land your first manufacturing program manager job

Zippi

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Average manufacturing program manager salary

The average manufacturing program manager salary in the United States is $76,289 per year or $37 per hour. Manufacturing program manager salaries range between $54,000 and $106,000 per year.

Average manufacturing program manager salary
$76,289 Yearly
$36.68 hourly

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Manufacturing program manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Improve 5's & increase productivity, manpower reduction...n+/- concept..

Cons

Can be managed accordingly situation.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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