Manufacturing Job Profiles: Manufacturing Manager

If you're close to finishing your education, you're likely wondering what career you'd like to have once you're done. In the next 5 years, Baby Boomers will be leaving the workforce and the manufacturing sector is looking for skilled workers to take their place.

While manufacturing has jobs that are automated, they still need a human's touch to get the work done quickly and well.

Contrary to popular belief, automation is not taking away job opportunities in manufacturing because many jobs still require skills robots can’t master — such as social intelligence, complex manipulation and creativity. But humans can, and do, master these skills and the manufacturing sector knows this.

Manufacturing Managers Are in High Demand

Manufacturing managers have the most popular job in eastern Ontario and there is only a 3% chance that they will be replaced by automation according to data collected by OEEDC. Their work requires skills robots can’t master.

According to StatsCan, “completion of a college or university program in engineering or business administration is usually required. Five to ten years of supervisory experience in manufacturing are required.”

The average full-time salary for a manufacturing manager in Canada is $85,300.

A manufacturing manager’s role includes:

Planning:

Organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating the operations of a manufacturing establishment.
Managing departmental budgets.
Implementing changes to machinery and equipment, production systems, and methods of work.

Development:

Developing and implementing plans to efficiently use materials, labour and equipment to meet production targets.
Developing production schedules and maintaining an inventory of raw materials and finished products.
Developing equipment maintenance schedules and recommending the replacement of machines.

Supervising:

Directing quality control inspection system and developing production reporting procedures.
Hiring, supervising and training or overseeing training of employees in the use of new equipment or production techniques.

If you enjoy planning workflow, directing tasks and developing schedules, you would be well suited for this job. There is also room for advancement to more senior supervisory positions within this role.