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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manufacturing Manager

💰 $95,000 - $145,000

ManufacturingOperationsManagementEngineeringSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

As a Manufacturing Manager, you are the strategic leader and operational backbone of the production floor. You will be responsible for orchestrating all aspects of the manufacturing process to achieve key business objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This pivotal role involves leading and mentoring a diverse team, driving a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring that plant operations are efficient, compliant, and scalable. You will translate high-level company goals into actionable production plans, manage budgets, and collaborate cross-functionally to solve complex challenges and steer the facility toward operational excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Supervisor
  • Senior Manufacturing Engineer
  • Operations Supervisor
  • Quality Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Plant Manager
  • Director of Operations
  • Vice President of Manufacturing
  • General Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Continuous Improvement Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct and manage all plant operations with overall responsibilities for production, maintenance, quality, and other production-related activities to meet customer specifications and delivery timelines.
  • Develop and execute the annual manufacturing budget, meticulously tracking operational expenses, managing capital expenditure projects, and identifying significant cost-saving opportunities.
  • Champion a world-class safety culture by ensuring strict adherence to all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies, leading safety initiatives, and maintaining a zero-incident mindset across the facility.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement by implementing and sustaining Lean Manufacturing principles (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, VSM) and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflow.
  • Oversee the end-to-end production planning and scheduling process to ensure the efficient allocation of labor, equipment, and materials, maximizing throughput and minimizing downtime.
  • Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Pass Yield (FPY), On-Time Delivery (OTD), and scrap rates to measure and improve operational performance.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team, including production supervisors and floor staff, through effective coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Guarantee that all products meet or exceed stringent quality standards by partnering with the Quality Assurance team to enforce Quality Management Systems (QMS), address non-conformances, and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPAs).
  • Collaborate with engineering and R&D on New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring seamless design transfer and scaling production from prototype to full-volume manufacturing.
  • Manage facility and equipment maintenance programs, including predictive and preventive maintenance, to ensure maximum equipment uptime and operational reliability.
  • Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes employee engagement, open communication, and a collective commitment to achieving organizational goals.
  • Interface directly with supply chain and procurement teams to optimize inventory levels for raw materials and finished goods, mitigating risks of stockouts or excess holding costs.
  • Conduct thorough root cause analysis for production delays, quality defects, or safety incidents, implementing robust and sustainable solutions to prevent recurrence.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive operational performance reports to senior management, providing clear insights into production trends, challenges, and strategic improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure all manufacturing activities are compliant with industry standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO, FDA, OSHA), and company policies.
  • Lead capacity planning and resource allocation strategies to support business growth, seasonal demand fluctuations, and strategic shifts in product mix.
  • Develop and implement training programs for manufacturing personnel to enhance technical skills, process knowledge, and operational proficiency.
  • Manage union and non-union labor relations effectively, ensuring fair and consistent application of company policies and collective bargaining agreements where applicable.
  • Evaluate and integrate new manufacturing technologies, automation, and systems to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Set clear performance objectives for the manufacturing department and empower teams to take ownership of their results, fostering accountability at all levels.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate with the R&D and engineering teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, ensuring a smooth transition from design to full-scale production.
  • Partner with the supply chain and procurement teams to optimize inventory levels, ensure timely delivery of raw materials, and manage supplier relationships.
  • Generate and present regular performance reports to senior leadership, detailing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE, scrap rates, on-time delivery, and safety incidents.
  • Mentor and develop production supervisors and team leads, fostering a high-performance culture and building a strong leadership pipeline within the manufacturing department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Methodologies (Green or Black Belt preferred)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
  • Quality Management Systems (QMS) & Standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100)
  • Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Regulations and Compliance
  • Budgeting, Financial Forecasting, and P&L Management
  • Production Planning and Scheduling
  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Analysis and Improvement
  • Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Planning (CAPA)
  • Supply Chain and Inventory Management Principles
  • Capital Project Management and Justification

Soft Skills

  • Leadership and Team Mentorship
  • Strategic and Critical Thinking
  • Advanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication
  • Adaptability and Resilience in a Fast-Paced Environment
  • Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
  • Change Management
  • Data-Driven and Analytical Mindset
  • Employee Engagement and Motivation
  • Time Management and Prioritization

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science (M.S.)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Operations Management
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7-10 years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, including 3-5 years in a significant leadership or supervisory capacity.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a specific industry relevant to the employer (e.g., automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods).
  • Professional certifications such as Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), or Project Management Professional (PMP).
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