What does a manufacturing program manager do?
Manufacturing program manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing program manager resumes:
- 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.
- Implement overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) metrics to focus attention on key process equipment availability, performance and quality factors.
Manufacturing program manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Manufacturing Program Managers are proficient in Sigma, Continuous Improvement, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Manufacturing Program Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sigma, 13%
Used six sigma tools to analyze manufacturing problems, determined corrective actions and implemented recovery plan.
- Continuous Improvement, 12%
Executed and coordinated training programs and certifications relative to Lean philosophy, continuous improvement tools and methods and change management.
- Project Management, 12%
Utilized Principles of Project Management to manage projects.
- Process Improvement, 5%
Worked with contract manufactures to identify value engineering and process improvement opportunities.
- Lean Six Sigma, 5%
Improved employee development through lean six sigma/operational excellence training and establishing new SOP's.
- Logistics, 5%
Set up a Regional Fulfillment Center, with a Logistics Partner, to support entire Latin American region @ 3.5M units.
"sigma," "continuous improvement," and "project management" are among the most common skills that manufacturing program managers use at work. You can find even more manufacturing program manager responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a manufacturing program manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what manufacturing program managers do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, a manufacturing program manager resume shows how manufacturing program managers use interpersonal skills: "train and certify production supervisors to written procedures and to develop interpersonal skills. "
Leadership skills. Many manufacturing program manager duties rely on leadership skills. "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees.," so a manufacturing program manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways manufacturing program manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "provided site leadership for the re-instatement of a redundant sterile production facility (~4000 sq. "
Problem-solving skills. manufacturing program manager responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This resume example shows what manufacturing program managers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "crafted highly available recovery solution for sap erp system and associated subsystems. "
The three companies that hire the most manufacturing program managers are:
- Thermo Fisher Scientific6 manufacturing program managers jobs
- Microsoft4 manufacturing program managers jobs
- MSC Industrial Direct Co4 manufacturing program managers jobs
Compare different manufacturing program managers
Manufacturing program 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between manufacturing program managers and production administrator. For instance, manufacturing program manager responsibilities require skills such as "sigma," "continuous improvement," "project management," and "process improvement." Whereas a production administrator is skilled in "data entry," "purchase orders," "windows," and "payroll." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Production administrators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,182. In contrast, manufacturing program managers make the biggest average salary, $85,052, in the technology industry.On average, production administrators reach lower levels of education than manufacturing program managers. Production administrators are 11.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing program 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real manufacturing program manager resumes. While manufacturing program manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "project management," "lean six sigma," "logistics," and "production control," plant superintendents use skills like "plant safety," "production supervisors," "osha," and "plant operations."
Plant superintendents earn a higher average salary than manufacturing program managers. But plant superintendents earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $116,194. Additionally, manufacturing program managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $85,052 annually.plant superintendents earn lower levels of education than manufacturing program managers in general. They're 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing program manager vs. Vice president of manufacturing
Vice presidents of manufacturing are executives primarily working for a firm in the manufacturing industry. The vice presidents of manufacturing plan, direct, and coordinate product development and manufacturing. They oversee the manufacturing operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and budget processes. Their responsibilities involve correspondence to external and internal parties. Typically, they handle two or three executive or senior producers. They also implement strategies for manufacturing operations in line with the corporate plan and client needs.
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 program manager resumes include skills like "project management," "lean six sigma," "aerospace," and "pmo," whereas a vice president of manufacturing is more likely to list skills in "product development," "production facilities," "safety program," and "gmp. "
Vice president of manufacturings earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $155,141. Manufacturing program managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $85,052.Most vice president of manufacturings achieve a similar degree level compared to manufacturing program managers. For example, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing program manager vs. Production control manager
A project control manager is an executive who manages, develops, and coordinates the schedules of production in the industrial environment. Production control managers make sure of the flow of parts, materials, and assemblies within or between departments. Typically, they handle the production workers. They make certain that manufacturing processes operate efficiently and reliably. Part of their responsibilities includes the estimation, negotiation, and agreement of timescales and budgets with the clients and the other managers. Among the qualifications for this job include a specialty in electrical engineering, communications, or business management.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between manufacturing program managers and production control managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a manufacturing program manager might have more use for skills like "project management," "lean six sigma," "aerospace," and "pmo." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of production control managers require skills like "delivery performance," "inventory control," "customer service," and "production planning. "
Production control managers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $103,140. For comparison, manufacturing program managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, production control managers hold lower degree levels compared to manufacturing program managers. Production control managers are 7.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of manufacturing program manager
Updated January 8, 2025