Industrial production manager
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work shifts, including nights and weekends
- Usually work in factories and offices
- May work in hot and noisy conditions
- Need to identify and solve problems, lead others and communicate well
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Manage production processes
- Set production goals, timetables and budgets
- Plan and direct production to meet goals
- Make sure products meet quality standards
- Monitor factory safety standards
- Order materials and equipment
- Manage equipment repairs and upgrades
- Develop new products and processes
- Review production processes and write reports
- Hire and train production staff
Outlook
Production managers will remain important in New Zealand manufacturing as businesses balance quality, cost, delivery and environmental performance. Many manufacturers are adopting automation, real-time production data and more efficient processes. Supply-chain uncertainty and pressure to reduce emissions are also changing how goods are planned and produced. Opportunities depend on the strength of individual industries, but skilled leadership is valuable in specialist and export-focused manufacturing.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Ability to plan, organise and prioritise production activities
- Strong understanding of quality, safety and operational performance
- Leadership skills that support and motivate teams
- Confidence using production data and digital systems
- Practical problem-solving under time and cost pressures
- Awareness of supply chains, waste reduction and sustainability
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.