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What Is a Production Control Manager and How to Become One


What Does a Production Control Manager Do?

A production control manager oversees day-to-day production activities and works to boost sales, efficiency, and labor productivity. As a production control manager, your duties involve managing production staff, coordinating machine repairs and maintenance, ensuring the project budget is met, and developing safety programs. Positions are most common with manufacturing and supply chain companies. A career as a production control manager typically requires at least an associate degree in engineering, business administration, or a related field, along with extensive experience in a factory setting. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree and prior management experience. Additional qualifications include strong interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as knowledge of the industry.

How to Become a Production Control Manager

The primary qualifications for getting a job as a production control manager are a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least three years of industry experience. Employers typically prefer applicants who have supervisory or management experience, so apply for these sorts of positions whenever possible. Familiarity with management software is also useful, though companies often use specialized or even proprietary software, so you may need to be creative about getting trained on the software they use. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a production control manager requires flexibility, time-management skills, leadership skills, and the ability to find and resolve problems proactively.