What Does An Industrial Production Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Industrial Production Managers

Industrial Production Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

Salary
$118190
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality


What they do

Industrial Production Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

  • 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.
  • Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
  • Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems.
  • Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Industrial Production Managers 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. They develop budgets or approve expenditures for supplies, materials, or human resources, ensuring that materials, labor, or equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets.

A typical day for an Industrial Production Manager will also include:

  • Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
  • Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
  • Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems.
  • Prepare and maintain production reports or personnel records.
  • Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Industrial Production Managers also maintain current knowledge of the quality control field, relying on current literature pertaining to materials use, technological advances, or statistical studies. They may also coordinate or recommend procedures for facility or equipment maintenance or modification, including the replacement of machines.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Industrial Production Managers review plans and confer with research or support staff to develop new products or processes. They might also negotiate materials prices with suppliers.

In addition, they institute employee suggestions or involvement programs.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances.

To some Industrial Production Managers, it is also their responsibility to prepare and maintain production reports or personnel records.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

Average

70% said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they found their job meaningful.


Get It Made

My Typical Day Check in with our manufacturing partners for current projects in production The most important thing to do when we first start the day is to see how the current projects we have in production are going. We have manufacturing partners all over the world so we have to be conscious of the … Read More


If I’m lucky, I get the first 10 minutes of walking into the office for myself, where I can get seated at my computer to check my emails and Slack messages. But, most of the time, there’s usually someone at my desk, and I spend my first hour answering questions and solving problems: whether it … Read More


WellPCB

I am Lisa, a production supervisor in charge of the fabrication unit at WellPCB. My typical work begins with a recap of the previous day’s work. My team and I will go through what we had accomplished (progress in making a PCB) if we didn’t manage to complete it the previous day. The recap involves … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

One of the highest-paid careers in the world.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$118190 per year

Average hourly wage

$57 per hour

Entry-level Industrial Production Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $67,100 to $84,990 per year or $32 to $41 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $181,220 $87
Senior (Top 25%) $141,290 $68
Median $108,790 $52
Junior (Bottom 25%) $84,990 $41
No experience (Bottom 10%) $67,100 $32

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Industrial Production Managers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Scientific Research and Development Services $157820 $75.88
Oil and Gas Extraction $157740 $75.84
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas $150960 $72.58
Management of Companies and Enterprises $148550 $71.42
Computer Systems Design and Related Services $147660 $70.99
Natural Gas Distribution $147360 $70.85
Federal Executive Branch $145490 $69.95
Offices of Physicians $139250 $66.95
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing $136970 $65.85
Communications Equipment Manufacturing $136490 $65.62

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Industrial Production Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Industrial Production Managers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Machinery Manufacturing 9350 $114970 $55.28
Plastics Product Manufacturing 7150 $108110 $51.98
Management of Companies and Enterprises 7000 $148550 $71.42
Chemical Manufacturing 6890 $126970 $61.04
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 6520 $133930 $64.39
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 6020 $110340 $53.05
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 6020 $108290 $52.06
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 5900 $107150 $51.52
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 5430 $131100 $63.03
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 4700 $107220 $51.55

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
1%

40 hours
14%

More than 40 hours
86%

Working schedule

71%

23%

6%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
11%

Every day
89%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
14%

Every day
85%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
16%

Once a year
18%

Once a month
35%

Once a week
15%

Every day
16%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
6%

Slightly competitive
7%

Moderately competitive
34%

Highly competitive
43%

Extremely competitive
10%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
28%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
70%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
35%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
2%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
54%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
58%

Once a year or more
19%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
5%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
72%

Once a year or more
18%

Once a month or more
9%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
1%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
1%

High School Diploma or equivalent
7%

Post-Secondary Certificate
3%

Some College Courses
30%

Associate’s Degree or similar
15%

Bachelor’s Degree
42%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
2%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management

A program that prepares individuals to manage and coordinate all logistical functions in an enterprise, ranging from acquisitions to receiving and handling, through internal allocation of resources to operations units, to the handling and delivery of output. Includes instruction in acquisitions and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, just-in-time manufacturing, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, transportation, quality control, resource estimation and allocation, and budgeting.

Operations Management and Supervision

A program that prepares individuals to manage and direct the physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization, particularly those relating to development, production, and manufacturing. Includes instruction in principles of general management, manufacturing and production systems, plant management, equipment maintenance management, production control, industrial labor relations and skilled trades supervision, strategic manufacturing policy, systems analysis, productivity analysis and cost control, and materials planning.

Science/Technology Management

A program that prepares individuals to develop science, technical, and business skills required for management of people and systems in technology-based industries, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Includes instruction in computer applications, general management principles, production and operations management, project management, quality control, safety and health issues, and statistics.


Business/Commerce

A program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and nonprofit public and private institutions and agencies. The programs may prepare individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.

Business Administration and Management

A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. Includes instruction in management theory, human resources management and behavior, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.

Clinical and Industrial Drug Development

A program that focuses on the scientific application of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and industrial management to the development, production, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products. Includes instruction in industrial microbiology, plasmids, expression vectors, protein chemistry, assay and evaluation, drug synthesis and purification, quality control, industrial management, production security, patent procedures, intellectual property regulations and issues, patent enforcement and defense, and research design and testing.


Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences

A program that focuses on the application of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy to the study of pharmaceuticals production and distribution, and prepares individuals to manage pharmaceutical industry operations. Includes instruction in pharmacoeconomics, industrial management, operations management, preformulation evaluation, product formulation/reformulation, drug product development, stability testing, dosage design, pilot scale-up, drug marketing, quality control, drug information, and legal and regulatory affairs.

Engineering/Industrial Management

A program that focuses on the application of engineering principles to the planning and operational management of industrial and manufacturing operations, and prepares individuals to plan and manage such operations. Includes instruction in accounting, engineering economy, financial management, industrial and human resources management, industrial psychology, management information systems, mathematical modeling and optimization, quality control, operations research, safety and health issues, and environmental program management.

Industrial Engineering

A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information, and energy. Includes instruction in applied mathematics, physical sciences, the social sciences, engineering analysis, systems design, computer applications, and forecasting and evaluation methodology.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
2%

6 months to 1 year
8%

1 to 2 years
1%

2 to 4 years
31%

4 to 6 years
29%

6 to 8 years
13%

8 to 10 years
8%

Over 10 years
8%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
1%

1 month
12%

1 to 3 months
22%

3 to 6 months
14%

6 months to 1 year
14%

1 to 2 years
28%

2 to 4 years
6%

4 to 10 years
3%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
38%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
33%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
19%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
48%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
86%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
81%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
76%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
86%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

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