I help train our employees on how to make the products and how to use the machines. I also mentor the women who are still in our residential program. Once a month I get a forecast. I sit down with those numbers and break the report into different weeks. Then I'll assign women to different machines and find trainers for women who need to be trained. I also work on payroll and evaluations for employees. On top of all of that, I get to set my own goals to work towards.
CAREER
Industrial Production Managers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$103,150
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+3.5% (slower than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Industrial Production Managers Do
Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
Other Job Titles Industrial Production Managers May Have
Assembly Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My day revolves around ensuring smooth operations and maintaining high standards. I oversee the entire manufacturing process, from handling massive steel coils to transforming them into finished products through progressive stamping. My responsibilities include coordinating with the tooling and engineering departments, managing tool maintenance, and ensuring seamless welding, fabrication, and assembly. Every day, I resolve issues and help my team overcome challenges.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
- Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
- Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
- Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
- Hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Industrial Production Managers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (29%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Bachelor's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Mechanical Engineering
Graduate
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Doctorate
Automotive Engineering
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
My role relies heavily on problem-solving skills. I spend a lot of time solving problems for my team members, myself, and the plant in general. It's also important to have good organizational skills as a plant manager.
A strong positive attitude is key in this industry because this work brings on a lot of challenges. It's also important to be detail-oriented and to have strong problem-solving skills.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
To work in operational leadership in automotive manufacturing, I recommend either earning a degree in engineering or business administration. With an engineering degree, you'll have a strong technical background and can learn the business side on the job—and vice versa with a business degree. You can also pursue a two-year degree from a vocational school and enter into the industry as a tech scholar. I also recommend finding relevant internships to gain more hands-on insight into the industry.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
