Production

Industrial Production Manager job description

Hire an Industrial Production Manager to oversee manufacturing workflows, optimize throughput, and ensure strict compliance with safety and quality standards.

Published February 22, 2025Updated May 17, 20261581 likes

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Job brief

We are looking for a strategic Industrial Production Manager to lead our high-volume manufacturing team and drive operational excellence across our facility. In this role, you will hold direct responsibility for meeting production KPIs, mentoring floor supervisors, and implementing capital improvements that enhance manufacturing safety and capacity. You will work closely with supply chain, engineering, and maintenance departments to resolve technical challenges and ensure our products meet exact customer specifications. If you are a hands-on leader passionate about process optimization and team development, we invite you to help us scale our production capabilities.

Key highlights

Manage daily production schedules to ensure output targets are met while maintaining optimal raw material inventory levels.
Enforce strict adherence to OSHA safety protocols and ISO quality standards across all manufacturing and assembly stations.
Analyze throughput data to identify equipment inefficiencies and implement lean manufacturing techniques to reduce operational downtime.
Monitor manufacturing KPIs such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and share performance reports with senior plant leadership.

What is a Industrial Production Manager?

An Industrial Production Manager serves as the primary leader of a manufacturing facility, responsible for orchestrating the end-to-end production lifecycle. By leveraging lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and advanced ERP systems like SAP or NetSuite, an Industrial Production Manager ensures that factory output meets rigorous quality benchmarks. Their work is essential in bridging the gap between high-level operational strategy and the daily execution of complex manufacturing processes, ultimately safeguarding the organization's profitability and market reputation.

What does a Industrial Production Manager do?

On a daily basis, an Industrial Production Manager reviews real-time production metrics, manages staffing schedules to balance line requirements, and identifies bottlenecks in the assembly process. They actively monitor equipment health to predict maintenance needs, coordinate with quality control teams to perform root-cause analysis on defects, and facilitate cross-departmental planning sessions to meet delivery milestones. Using data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau, they translate machine performance logs into actionable insights that drive continuous process improvements and waste reduction across the production floor.

Key responsibilities

Manage daily production schedules to ensure output targets are met while maintaining optimal raw material inventory levels.
Enforce strict adherence to OSHA safety protocols and ISO quality standards across all manufacturing and assembly stations.
Analyze throughput data to identify equipment inefficiencies and implement lean manufacturing techniques to reduce operational downtime.
Supervise floor staff, providing technical coaching on machine operation, safety procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Collaborate with the maintenance engineering team to develop and execute a comprehensive preventative maintenance schedule for heavy machinery.
Direct cross-functional efforts to improve yield percentages and decrease material waste through refined production process control.
Monitor manufacturing KPIs such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and share performance reports with senior plant leadership.
Evaluate and select production technologies to modernize assembly lines and increase automation within our manufacturing footprint.

Requirements and skills

5+ years of experience in an Industrial Production Manager or senior manufacturing supervisor role within a high-volume plant.
Proven expertise in deploying Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, or 5S methodologies to drive measurable process improvements.
Deep technical familiarity with modern ERP systems, including SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics for inventory and order management.
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant Supply Chain Management discipline.
Strong proficiency in reading and interpreting complex CAD drawings, technical schematics, and blueprint specifications.
Active professional certification, such as APICS CPIM or CSCP, demonstrating mastery of production and inventory control.
Demonstrated ability to use data analytics tools to report on factory performance and present findings to executive leadership.
Expertise in managing diverse labor forces and union/non-union personnel while maintaining a culture of safety and accountability.

FAQs

What does an Industrial Production Manager do on a daily basis?

An Industrial Production Manager oversees the entire factory floor to ensure that manufacturing goals are met efficiently and safely. This involves reviewing real-time production throughput, addressing machine failures or staffing shortages, and ensuring that every product batch meets strict quality control criteria. They spend significant time on the floor monitoring workflows and in meetings with department heads to sync production output with demand forecasts.

What qualifications are required to become an Industrial Production Manager?

Most employers require a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, alongside extensive hands-on experience in a plant environment. Key technical certifications like Lean Six Sigma, APICS (CPIM), or PMP are highly valued as they prove a candidate’s ability to optimize complex systems. Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in using ERP software and data analysis platforms to manage production reporting.

Who does an Industrial Production Manager report to and work with?

An Industrial Production Manager typically reports to the Plant Manager or Director of Operations. They maintain highly collaborative relationships with the maintenance team to keep equipment running, the procurement team to ensure raw material availability, and the HR department to handle workforce scheduling and training. They also engage with Quality Assurance teams to ensure all products adhere to industry-specific regulatory standards.

How do Industrial Production Managers improve company profitability?

These managers directly influence the bottom line by identifying and eliminating waste, which lowers the cost per unit manufactured. By maximizing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and reducing scrap rates, they ensure the facility produces more high-quality product using fewer resources. Their focus on safety also helps the company avoid costly downtime, regulatory fines, and worker compensation claims, creating a stable and profitable production environment.