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.
Production manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real production manager resumes:
- 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.
- Perform as key member of BAMA, TPS, and TPM activities.
- Instruct employees on SPC, problem solving, and preventative/predictive maintenance.
- Increase critical fill rates for biggest customer by implementing SPC on key characteristic in conversion processes.
- Train team to comply with OSHA, personal protective equipment (PPE) and HazMat safety regulations.
- Evaluate and process EDI sales orders via ERP system; partner with salons to resolve ordering issues.
- Estimate new business opportunities for existing and new customers using the sophisticated (ASI) ERP system.
- Utilize KAIZEN to reduce cycle times and improve manufacturing process reducing lead times and resulting major throughput increases.
- Provide training to all employees relate to proper ISO procedures throughout the company and schedule any update training as needed.
- Formulate and maintain documentation of new and existing processes, operating procedures, preventive maintenance schedules as per the ISO standards.
Production manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Production Managers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Customer Service, and Quality Standards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Production Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 8%
Performed assessment of company health and safety program recommending continuous improvement tasks while developing project plans to implement and maintain compliance.
- Customer Service, 7%
Managed multiple departments involved in the manufacture, customer service and distribution of printed financial documents directly marketed by financial institutions.
- Quality Standards, 6%
Managed Production department to meet production schedules, quality standards and requirements, cost and on-time delivery objectives established by organization.
- Safety Procedures, 6%
Directed and monitored department managers to accomplish goals of the manufacturing plan, consistent with established manufacturing and safety procedures.
- Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Transitioned manufacturing operations to six sigma/lean manufacturing leading to an increase in production capabilities and a decrease in scrap and waste.
- Production Supervisors, 6%
Full P&L responsibility for plant-wide production operations with direct supervision over production supervisors, shipping and warehouse personnel.
"continuous improvement," "customer service," and "quality standards" are among the most common skills that production managers use at work. You can find even more production manager responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a production manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what production managers do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, a production manager resume shows how production managers use interpersonal skills: "maintain good interpersonal skills with qa and department directors to identify and implement opportunities for improvements. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform production manager duties is leadership skills. Production managers responsibilities require that "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Production managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "managed plant operations in production and shipping and receiving providing leadership with direction to produce in a cost effective manner"
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for production managers to perform their duties. For an example of how production manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a production manager: "identified and implemented critical facility improvements and solutions related to fda pre- approval inspection. ".
The three companies that hire the most production managers are:
- Verano91 production managers jobs
- The Walt Disney Company65 production managers jobs
- GPAC51 production managers jobs
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Compare different production managers
Production 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, production manager responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "safety procedures," "product quality," and "production facility." Meanwhile a typical plant superintendent has skills in areas such as "plant safety," "osha," "asphalt," and "safety program." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Plant superintendents really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $116,194. Comparatively, production managers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $80,686.The education levels that plant superintendents earn slightly differ from production managers. In particular, plant superintendents are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a production manager. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production manager vs. 3rd shift supervisor
A 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. They also analyze sales reports, resolve discrepancies, and identify business opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and increase the company's profitability. A 3rd shift supervisor addresses customers' inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving their complaints about services timely and accurately.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real production manager resumes. While production manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "production supervisors," "on-time delivery," "production process," and "production facility," 3rd shift supervisors use skills like "basic math," "pallet jack," "cleanliness," and "pallets."
3rd shift supervisors may earn a lower salary than production managers, but 3rd shift supervisors earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $35,104. On the other hand, production managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $80,686.3rd shift supervisors earn similar levels of education than production managers in general. They're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production manager vs. Processing supervisor
A processing supervisor is responsible for overseeing the overall operational processes of a department and ensuring that the team members adhere to the highest quality standards and efficiency. Processing supervisors strategize efficient techniques to maximize the productivity and performance of the staff to deliver customer satisfaction and increase the company's brand reputation to the public. They also coordinate with clients, respond to inquiries and concerns, and resolve any complications related to the process and project management procedures.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a production manager is likely to be skilled in "continuous improvement," "production supervisors," "on-time delivery," and "production facility," while a typical processing supervisor is skilled in "sterile processing," "patients," "spd," and "osha."
Processing supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $55,456. Comparatively, production managers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $80,686.When it comes to education, processing supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to production managers. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Production manager vs. Planting supervisor
Planting Supervisors are responsible for administering the operations of cultivating and growing plants, be it for food, materials, comfort, or decorative beauty. Their duties include monitoring plants' health, ensuring proper feeding and watering of plants, supervising the mowing, trimming, fertilizing, mulching, edging, and weeding gardens, and facilitating trees and bushes pruning and trimming. Planting Supervisors are also involved in husbandry, managing disease and pest programs, budgeting, and updating work progress reports. They must keep abreast of the current horticulture developments in their area of specialty.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between production managers and planting supervisors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a production manager might have more use for skills like "customer service," "production supervisors," "on-time delivery," and "production facility." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of planting supervisors require skills like "osha," "preventative maintenance," "asphalt," and "customer satisfaction. "
Planting supervisors enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $53,767. For comparison, production managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of planting supervisors showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to production managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of production manager
Updated January 8, 2025
