If you have production and manufacturing floor experience, you might consider moving into a management position. If you are interested, it is helpful to know what your advancement options are and what skills you will need. What separates a production line worker from a management-level employee? What are the skills you need to move into manufacturing and production management? These are the questions to ask yourself. The production/manufacturing industry is steady, with plenty of opportunities for advancing a manufacturing career. Here is how you can prepare for a leadership position in the manufacturing and production industry.
Beating Out External Candidates
If you seek to move into management, you will compete against external candidates with more experience than you. They might even have the educational background that you are missing. How do you compete against an outsider with the knowledge and education to make themselves look more desirable than you? However, you know the company, how it works, and what matters to the employees. Think about the skills you will need to become a shift leader first by asking questions: Are you the employee others go to for advice? Do you make suggestions that help the company be more efficient? Do you have a positive attitude? If you answer yes, you probably have the skills that employers will value. As an insider, your voice gives you an edge over external job candidates.
Do You Need Additional Education?
A college degree is not required to advance in a manufacturing career. However, it can give you a competitive advantage, and many employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees. The amount of education will vary depending on your path, such as manufacturing, plant, production, operations, and supply chain manager. A two-year technical degree might work, or you may need to earn a bachelor's degree. Never stop learning; there are business, engineering, and supply chain management courses. Here are resources beyond the local community college that can help you: Association for Supply Chain Management Coursera Lean Six Sigma EdX OSHA
Skills Necessary for Manufacturing Management
For getting into management, job-related technical skills are crucial. Production, supply chain, warehouse, and manufacturing managers need an excellent set of soft and hard skills to do the job. Examples include: Interpersonal skills such as communication and collaboration help you work well across multiple teams. Leadership skills help keep things running as you motivate employees to do their best. Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are vital for identifying issues, fixing them, and keeping things moving forward. Time management is critical for meeting production deadlines. Try to establish a professional reputation at your company. Improve your credentials and try to ensure that you are dependable and cooperative. Let LaborMAX help you secure your next manufacturing/production position. LaborMAX is a nationwide staffing agency specializing in production and manufacturing jobs.
