Industrial Production Managers
Career Overview
Career Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
Industry: Management
Other Job Titles for Industrial Production Managers:
- Chief Executives
- Storage and Distribution Managers
- Crop and Livestock Managers
- Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Logging Workers
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
Personality Profile
- Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
- Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
- Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
Common Work Tasks
- Direct and coordinate production, processing, distribution, and marketing activities of industrial organization.
- Develop budgets and approve expenditures for supplies, materials, and human resources, ensuring that materials, labor and equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets.
- Review processing schedules and production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, and 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, and discharge staff, and resolve personnel grievances.
- Initiate and coordinate inventory and cost control programs.
- Prepare and maintain production reports and 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.
- Develop and implement production tracking and quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, and other operational reports, to detect production problems.
- Review plans and confer with research and support staff to develop new products and processes.
- Institute employee suggestion or involvement programs.
- Coordinate and recommend procedures for facility and equipment maintenance or modification, including the replacement of machines.
- Maintain current knowledge of the quality control field, relying on current literature pertaining to materials use, technological advances, and statistical studies.
- Negotiate materials prices with suppliers.
- Conduct exit interviews to identify reasons for employee termination.
- Investigate and report on industrial accidents for insurance carriers.
- Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts.
- Prepare personnel forecast to project employment needs.
- Prepare and follow budgets for personnel operations.
- Develop, administer and evaluate applicant tests.
- Oversee the evaluation, classification and rating of occupations and job positions.
- Study legislation, arbitration decisions, and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends.
- Develop or administer special projects in areas such as pay equity, savings bond programs, day-care, and employee awards.
- Provide terminated employees with outplacement or relocation assistance.
- Contract with vendors to provide employee services, such as food service, transportation, or relocation service.
- Schedule use of facilities or catering services for events such as banquets or receptions, and negotiate details of arrangements with clients.
- Count money and make bank deposits.
- Clean, grade, and package crops for marketing.
- Hire, train, and direct workers engaged in planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, and marketing crops, and in raising livestock.
- Harvest crops, and collect specialty products such as royal jelly, wax, pollen, and honey from bee colonies.
- Install and shift irrigation systems to irrigate fields evenly or according to crop need.
- Herd cattle, using horses or all-terrain vehicles.
- Destroy diseased or superfluous crops.
Emerging Tasks
- Market and promote the casino in order to bring in business.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff, engaged in administering academic institutions, departments and/or alumni organizations.
- Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
- Oversee facilities management for the university, including construction, repair, and maintenance projects.
- Promote the university by participating in community, state, and national events/meetings, and by developing partnerships with industry and secondary education institutions.
- Write grants to procure external funding, and supervise grant-funded projects.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
- analyze financial data
- analyze operational or management reports or records
- assign work to staff or employees
- communicate technical information
- compute product or materials test results
- conduct meetings with staff to ensure production objectives are met
- conduct or attend staff meetings
- conduct research on work-related topics
- coordinate production maintenance activities
- coordinate production materials, activities or processes
- design manufacturing processes or methods
- determine factors affecting production processes
- develop budgets
- develop maintenance schedules
- develop management control systems
- develop plans for programs or projects
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop staffing plan
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- establish production schedule
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
- follow manufacturing methods or techniques
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- inspect or test materials to verify safety standards or ensure meeting of specifications
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- maintain records, reports, or files
- maintain safe work environment
- make decisions
- manage industrial projects
- negotiate business contracts
- oversee execution of organizational or program policies
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
- plan or organize work
- read technical drawings
- resolve personnel problems or grievances
- schedule work to meet deadlines
- supervise production workers
- supervise quality control workers
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- use inventory control procedures
- use long or short term production planning techniques
- use negotiation techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- maintain job descriptions
- manage contracts
- monitor operational budget
- negotiate labor agreements
- obtain information from individuals
- orient new employees
- oversee execution of organizational or program policies
- participate in staff training programs
- prepare or maintain employee records
- prepare reports for management
- present information on human resource management issues
- recommend action to ensure compliance
- recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals
- recruit employees
- resolve personnel problems or grievances
- resolve worker or management conflicts
- seek out applicants to fill job openings
- use conflict resolution techniques
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interviewing procedures
- use knowledge of employee classification system
- use negotiation techniques
- use project management techniques
- write employee orientation or training materials
- schedule activities, classes, or events
- schedule employee work hours
- slaughter animals, fish, or poultry
- study production records
- transport passengers or cargo
- understand second language
- use animal disease control techniques
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use fish culturing techniques
- use hand or power tools
- use herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides or related products
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use plant disease control techniques
Tools & Technology Used on the Job
- ABB Optimize software
- Citect IIM
- CitectSCADA Reports
- CitectSCADA software
- Clockware software
- Computer integrated manufacturing CIM software
- Computer integrated manufacturing CIM time manager software
- Computer integrated manufacturing CIM warehouse shipping manager software
- CorVu software
- Database software
- Desktop computers
- Employee performance management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Financial planning software
- IBM Rational ClearQuest
- Industrial production manager and stock control software
- interBiz BizWorks
- Marel production system MPS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Plant management software
- Prosys software
- QUMAS software
- SAP inventory software
- Scadex timecard20
- Scanners
- Statistical process control software
- Tablet computers
- Wonderware DT Analyst Plant Productivity Improvement Software
- WorkSchedule software
- Scanners
- SSA Human Capital Management
- Stratitec TimeIPS
- Tesseract Benefits Manager
- Tesseract Human Resources Manager
- Training software
- UniFocus Watson Human Resources Manager
- Web browser software
- WhizLabs software
- WinOcular software
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Front Page
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office Visio
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
- Microsoft Visual FoxPro
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Windows NT
- Microsoft Windows Server
- Microsoft Word
- Mid-range computers
- Minicomputers
- Mobile wireless network infrastructure software
- Netscape Navigator
- Netware servers
- Network interface cards NIC
- Novell Linux
- Novell network software
- Oracle E-Business Suite
- Oracle JD Edwards OneWorld
- Oracle software
- Pegasus software
- Performance monitoring tools
- Performance Solutions Technology ManagePro
- Personal computers
- PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
- Plumtree software
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Print servers
- Provisioning software
- QUALCOMM Eudora
- Robot automation tool
- Routers
- Ruby on Rails
- Samba
- Scripting languages
- Siebel Server Sync
- SOX COBIT
- Storage servers
- Structured query language SQL
- Sun Microsystems Java
- Switches
- Symantec Veritas File System
- Symantec Veritas Volume Manager
- Teleconferencing equipment
- Telnet programs software
- Tk software
- Unix
- Web authoring software
- Web browser software
- Web servers
- Workstations
- Zephyr EXTRA! Terminal Emulation
Education, Training & Experience
Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
Salary & Wages
- Average hourly wage (2007) -$38.73
- Average annual wage (2007) - $80,560.00
Projected Employment Growth
- Employment (2006): 157,341
Related Occupations
- Chief Executives
- Crop and Livestock Managers
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Logging Workers
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
- Storage and Distribution Managers
- Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
- Treasurers and Controllers




