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How to hire a production manager

Production manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring production managers in the United States:

  • There are currently 150,359 production managers in the US, as well as 95,561 job openings.
  • Production managers are in the highest demand in New York, NY, with 54 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a production manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new production manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a production manager, step by step

To hire a production manager, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a production manager:

Here's a step-by-step production manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a production manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new production manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a production manager do?

Production managers work in show business, whether in film, television shows, or theatre productions. They oversee the whole production and ensure that all agreements are met. They manage finances and budget allocation. They oversee the design of costumes and sets. They also manage the timeline of filming and ensure that the production or filming will finish within the agreed timeline. Production managers also ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied. They build meaningful working relationships with everyone involved, from directors to actors to crew members. They try to mitigate any potential challenges in the production budget and schedule.

Learn more about the specifics of what a production manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the production manager you need to hire. Certain production manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a production manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a production manager that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of production managers.

    Type of Production ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Production Manager$24-57
    Plant SuperintendentPlant superintendents must have skills in operations, productions, and management. They also need a 4-year degree in business or industrial management... Show more$32-64
    3rd Shift SupervisorA 3rd shift supervisor is responsible for monitoring the operations and staff performance of a specific shift. 3rd shift supervisors strategize on effective business techniques to maximize staff's productivity and improve customers' experience... Show more$12-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Continuous Improvement
    • Customer Service
    • Quality Standards
    • Safety Procedures
    • Lean Manufacturing
    • Production Supervisors
    • Production Schedules
    • On-Time Delivery
    • Production Process
    • Product Quality
    • Production Facility
    • Production Operations
    • Process Improvement
    • Human Resources
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead a KAIZEN that save 220k in damages.
    • Manage lean sigma techniques and Kaizen events to reduce raw material and scrap costs.
    • Hire and manage crew and locations along with renting necessary film equipment and organizing shoot logistics.
    • Team member in setting up TPM method of measuring production (OEE), helping to achieve record production results.
    • Manage data reports, analyze and provide data to improve operational performance to include OEE, process reliability and labor optimization.
    • Manage production control group and supply replenishment logistics for the manufacturing division.
    More production manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your production manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A production manager can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, production managers' average salary in north carolina is 51% less than in rhode island.
    • Seniority. Entry-level production managers 58% less than senior-level production managers.
    • Certifications. A production manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a production manager's salary.

    Average production manager salary

    $78,064yearly

    $37.53 hourly rate

    Entry-level production manager salary
    $50,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 25, 2025

    Average production manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$93,725$45
    2Washington$91,158$44
    3Massachusetts$84,332$41
    4Arizona$81,840$39
    5Maine$81,220$39
    6New York$80,529$39
    7Nevada$80,020$38
    8Utah$79,063$38
    9Texas$74,586$36
    10District of Columbia$72,496$35
    11Oregon$72,367$35
    12Colorado$71,078$34
    13Pennsylvania$67,568$32
    14Minnesota$61,549$30
    15Florida$60,531$29
    16Illinois$59,419$29
    17Alabama$58,923$28
    18Tennessee$57,881$28
    19Oklahoma$57,720$28
    20Georgia$56,742$27

    Average production manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Cheniere Energy$171,964$82.67
    2Meta$136,179$65.47191
    3Apple$135,622$65.2012
    4Google$134,710$64.7613
    5Microsoft$128,558$61.8116
    6FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies$127,275$61.196
    7ServiceNow$123,642$59.4411
    8Koch Industries$122,030$58.672
    9Aeris Communications$119,914$57.65
    10Agilent Technologies$119,569$57.491
    11MUFG EMEA$119,331$57.37
    12ICU Medical$119,017$57.222
    13Santander Bank$118,880$57.152
    14Bio-Rad Laboratories$117,386$56.4412
    15Bianchi$116,975$56.24
    16Okta$116,685$56.101
    17Bristol-Myers Squibb$116,356$55.9423
    18Koppers$116,060$55.80
    19Lam Research$113,775$54.70
    20Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.$113,139$54.39
  4. Writing a production manager job description

    A production manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a production manager job description:

    Production manager job description example

    T he Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We're a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

    No matter the brand, we're united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally . Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we're transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion - and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen - there's only one thing to do: join our table and let's make life delicious!

    Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

    We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level - from entry-level intern to senior leader - to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners - to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz - which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You're expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level - and you'll be rewarded. You're given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won't do it alone. You're supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

    Job Description

    Manages a Large Size / Low Complexity OR Small Size / High Complexity manufacturing facility.
    - Assists with the supervision of the planning, organizing and directing of production activities and employee placement/training/development to cost effectively produce a high quality finished product.
    - Responsible for coordinating all activities within assigned area of the plant, including manage multiple Production Supervisors.
    - Accountable for all financial, safety, quality, and regulatory matters in assigned area of the plant.
    - Ensures all food preparation and packaging is compliant to the guidelines of Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety regulations.
    - Manages operations to achieve daily efficiencies in keeping with established standards.
    - Manage budget of assigned department in accordance with annual productivity improvement targets.
    - Prepares departmental costs and variances with regard to productivity, short and long-range planning, labor scheduling, product scheduling, raw materials, packaging supplies, product weights, sanitation and housekeeping.

    Location(s) Winchester Plant Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact for assistance.
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right production manager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your production manager job on Zippia to find and recruit production manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit production managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new production manager

    Once you've selected the best production manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new production manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a production manager?

Before you start to hire production managers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire production managers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $78,064 per year for a production manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for production managers in the US typically range between $24 and $57 an hour.

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