Industrial Production Managers
工业生产经理
Nature of the Work: Industrial production managers coordinate the resources and activities required to produce millions Of goods every year in the United States. Although their duties vary from plant to plant, industrial production managers share many of the same major responsibilities. These responsibilities include production scheduling, staffing, procurement and maintenance of equipment, quality control, inventory control, and the coordination of production activities with those of other departments.
Working Conditions: Most industrial production managers divide their time between production areas and their offices. While in the production area, they must follow established health and safety practices and wear the required protective clothing and equipment. The time in the office, which often is located near production areas, usually is spent meeting with subordinates or other department managers, analyzing production data, and writing and reviewing reports.
Employment: Industrial production managers held about 255,000 jobs in 2000. Almost all are employed in manufacturing industries, including the industrial machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, electronic and electrical equipment, fabricated metal products, instruments and related products, and food and kindred products industries, or are self-employed. Production managers work in all parts of the country, but jobs are most plentiful in areas where manufacturing is concentrated.
Training: Because of the diversity of manufacturing operations and job requirements, there is no standard preparation for this occupation. However, a college degree is required, even for those who have worked their way up the ranks. Many industrial production managers have a college degree in business administration, management, industrial technology, or industrial engineering. Others have a master´s degree in industrial management or business administration (MBA). Some are former production-line supervisors who have been promoted. Although many employers prefer candidates with a business or engineering background, some companies hire well-rounded liberal arts graduates.
Job Outlook: Employment of industrial production managers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2010. However, a number of job openings will stem from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Applicants with a college degree in industrial engineering, management, or business administration, and particularly those with an undergraduate engineering degree and a master´s degree in business administration or industrial management, enjoy the best job prospects.
Earnings: Median annual earnings for industrial production managers were $61,660 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $46,290 and $81,930. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $106,020.
Related Occupations: Industrial production managers oversee production staff and equipment, ensure that production goals and quality standards are being met, and implement company policies. Occupations requiring similar training and skills are engineers, management analysts, operations research analysts, and top executives.