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Plant Manager

Plant managers are responsible for numerous departments and activities of a manufacturing facility.  Plant manager positions often require professionals to evaluate the organizational processes of a facility and develop and implement any changes that would be effective in increasing productivity, accuracy, quality, efficiency, or decreasing costs, employee physical efforts, product waste, or production down time.  These professionals work with a team of managers, supervisors, engineers, and/or administrators to ensure smooth company operation.  Duties of a plant manager commonly include overseeing scheduling, planning, maintenance, shipping and receiving, quality, and hiring.  The range of responsibilities is broad, so professionals must have a thorough understanding of all industry functions, procedures, and methods.  The term “manufacturing” may apply to the processing of any raw material into a finished good, so these associates may be employed in industries such as food, aerospace, automotive, textile, steel, machinery, chemical, or computer and electronics manufacturing. 

The training needed in order to begin working in these occupations varies depending on factors including the facility type, size, and geographic location.  The majority of employers are generally interested in hiring professionals with a college education, extensive industry experience, or apprenticeship experience.  Candidates with a management or business administration degree are commonly preferred.  Employers who hire associates directly out of college normally require extensive formal and on the job training before they allow the candidate to work independently.  It is not uncommon for professionals to work their way into these executive level careers.  Upon gaining a thorough knowledge of the manufacturing facility and demonstrating excellent management skills, professionals may be promoted into these manufacturing management jobs.

Although experts predict plant management careers will grow much slower than average industries, professionals will still be needed for these occupations.  As professionals leave the manufacturing industry, retire, or become promoted, qualified candidates will be needed to fill their positions.  Technological advances implementing new programs and systems increase the efficiency and ease of a plant manager job while decreasing the number of professionals once required to complete these tasks.  Associates with excellent written and oral communication, team work, and management skills will be the most sought after for these careers. 

Manufacturing jobs are commonly considered uncomfortable, dirty, and sometimes dangerous, but plant managers experience more comfortable environments than general laborers.  Plant management requires associates to spend time on the manufacturing floor, as well as work from their offices.  When on the floor, health and safety equipment and garments must be worn, and it is integral for professionals to follow all codes to ensure the safety to themselves and others.  Plant manager positions are commonly salaried employees, but generally work more than 40 hours per week.  Plant managers are responsible for all aspects of their facility, so they may be on call during off hours in order to solve any issues that may arise.  Although there are a number of stresses associated with these careers, dedicated individuals profit from the compensations and benefits that are generally offered. 

For more information on a career as a plant manager, please visit the following sites:

• American Productivity and Quality Center
• Manufacturing Business Technology
• Manufacturing Management & Technology Institute
• Plant Management Network International
• Rockwell Automation

If you are searching for a plant manager position, or are an employer looking to hire a manufacturing professional, please visit iHireManufacturing.  We are a niche job board focusing only in candidates and positions within the manufacturing industry.