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What is a project manager-manufacturing and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Yi Yang PhD

Have you ever built an IKEA shelf? It's not a one-step process, and even though the company may have streamlined certain steps so that you can manufacture sleek, modern furniture at home, try to write down each step of the process, from the moment you decide you want a shelf to the minute you place your last book on it.

Manufacturing requires the transport of goods, the procurement of tools and parts, and the step-by-step instructions of ordered assembly. Maybe it's a one-person job to build a simple piece of furniture, but in a company that manufactures much bigger products, it takes a team!

Even so, one person can have a major role in ensuring that products are successfully manufactured - the project manager oversees the various key components that guide a product from start to finish. As product manager in manufacturing, you will have a hand in every aspect of the production line, from determining the rates of manufacturing costs to analyzing ergonomics and safety measure.

You will coordinate project timelines and ensure that all equipment is operational and all safety guidelines are adhered to. Moreover, you will provide project status reports to the company or clients and handle and implement any changes made to the project plans. Essential skills that you will need to succeed at this position are communication, leadership, organizational, interpersonal, flexibility, and problem solving.

To qualify for this position, you need a bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, or a similar field; an associate's degree in business, manufacturing, or other relevant disciplines might suffice. Prior relevant work experience is advantageous to job candidates. The average hourly pay for this position is $49.76, which amounts to more than $103,000 annually.

What general advice would you give to a project manager-manufacturing?

Yi Yang PhDYi Yang PhD LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Abington

For new graduates beginning their careers in engineering, I would advise them to consider the broader impact of their work and look for opportunities to expand their management potential. While engineering is a highly technical field, it's important to recognize the value of leadership roles in preserving a culture of innovation. By taking on these positions, you can help ensure that companies prioritize long-term innovation over short-term gains (cutting R&D to boost the balance sheet), thus preserving the engineering culture that drives meaningful progress.
ScoreProject Manager-ManufacturingUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $101,932

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 9.19%

Black or African American 3.86%

Hispanic or Latino 13.24%

Unknown 3.87%

White 69.33%

Gender

female 16.48%

male 83.52%

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

Project manager-manufacturing career paths

Key steps to become a project manager-manufacturing

  1. Explore project manager-manufacturing education requirements

    Most common project manager-manufacturing degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.6 %

    Master's

    17.2 %

    Associate

    10.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific project manager-manufacturing skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management24.24%
    Continuous Improvement5.69%
    Project Scope4.43%
    ERP4.31%
    Product Development3.67%
  3. Complete relevant project manager-manufacturing training and internships

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

    • Lead executive team through evaluation of ERP providers including contract negotiations.
    • Manage project responsibilities from concept and prototyping of a product to FDA approval process through implementation into commercialization.
    • Implement lead manufacturing principles to achieve continuous improvement processes; hire qualified machinists; ensure division-wide OSHA compliance.
    • Assure project adherence to corporate processes and ISO compliance.
  5. Prepare your project manager-manufacturing resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your project manager-manufacturing resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a project manager-manufacturing resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable project manager-manufacturing resume templates

    Build a professional project manager-manufacturing resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your project manager-manufacturing resume.
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    Project Manager-Manufacturing Resume
    Project Manager-Manufacturing Resume
  6. Apply for project manager-manufacturing jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a project manager-manufacturing 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 project manager-manufacturing job

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Average project manager-manufacturing salary

The average project manager-manufacturing salary in the United States is $101,932 per year or $49 per hour. Project manager-manufacturing salaries range between $74,000 and $140,000 per year.

Average project manager-manufacturing salary
$101,932 Yearly
$49.01 hourly

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How do project managers-manufacturing rate their job?

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Project manager-manufacturing 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 May 2020
Cons

I would rather work remote with little travel.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I love managing teams and taking the challenge

Cons

If people don't do their work properly


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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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