Do you gain a feeling of satisfaction from overseeing the production of goods and services? Are you interested in planning, coordinating and controlling all procedures used to deliver products on time and within budget? If so, then the role of a production manager may be just what you are looking for.
As a production manager, you are responsible for overseeing all processes used to manufacture and produce goods. Your role involves checking that all processes are running correctly by maintaining equipment and implementing policies for productivity rates and quality control. You will also ensure that safety and hygiene standards are being met in the workplace and communicate any issues to upper management.
Your typical day as a production manager will involve reviewing processing schedules and production orders and making decisions based on a range of factors. These factors can include requirements for inventories, staffing, work procedures, duty assignments, as well as budget limitations and time constraints. You will decide on how much to spend on resources based on your budget as well as how to use these efficiently. Throughout the day, you will review operations, resolve production issues, prepare reports, and ensure all products meet a prescribed quality.
While each workplace will have its own set of interview questions, some common ones for a production manager role include:
Include the following on your resume for a production management position:
Keep these pointers in mind when drafting your cover letter:
The role of production manager is much in demand in the manufacturing sector. All products need ways to ensure they are developed efficiently, while having top appeal to the consumer, and for this, you need production managers. However, this role is likely to evolve in the future as more processes become automated. Therefore, it's important for all current and potential production managers to keep their training current to meet this increased automation and avoid being left behind.
As a production manager in Canada, you can expect to make an average salary of $75,000 a year. If you are taking on an entry-level position, your average salary may commence as low as $57,488 per year. However, senior production managers may command a salary as high as $107,073 per year. This can depend on the type of product you are involved with manufacturing, as well as your own experience and level of training.
Top paying areas for production managers in Canada include: Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia.
As a production manager, your work will be mainly based on-site at warehouses, production facilities and shop floors. You will be involved in maintaining equipment, supervising staff, and ensuring processes are running normally, all of which involve you being present during production. The job may conform to normal working hours at times, but there may be night shifts and weekend work required to meet tight deadlines. As such, you will need to be prepared to give up personal time if necessary. In addition, large businesses may have more than one facility, so you may be required to move around in such instances.
To succeed as a production manager, you will need a bachelor's degree in a related industry such as manufacturing, engineering, physics and so on. Additionally:
To get ahead as a production manager, you should also consider becoming a Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP). This designation is widely recognized in Canada and can help you further your career with access to news, events, training courses and more. To apply, you must have the following:
Each provincial or territorial institution may have additional requirements or conditions of entry, so check with the one you wish to register with.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about production manager jobs.
To become a production manager, you will need a degree in a related field such as engineering or manufacturing. Some businesses may also require specialized degrees such as chemistry, depending on the type of product being manufactured. In addition, you can get your foot in the door through apprenticeships and work placements that give you experience in the industry.
Keep an eye out for job advertisements for production manager roles on job boards or on social media pages. You may also check to see if there are any opportunities in your own company. Otherwise, go to our job seeker page at to see what production manager positions are now available.
Look for production manager roles in your area's employment listings, or try contacting businesses directly. Additionally, keep an eye out on our job seeker page for new production manager openings. Just set up an account with us, sign in, and apply for the internal auditor job after you've found it.
If you're looking for production manager positions in Canada, keep an eye out on social media and internet job boards. Keep an eye out if any production manager positions become available in your office if you are currently working with supply chains. Also, sign up for our newsletter at to be the first to hear about new production manager positions in your area.
Production managers oversee all the processes involved in manufacturing a product or service. This role involves creating schedules, maintaining equipment, ensuring health and safety measures are met, and more. Ultimately, the goal of production management is to ensure products are delivered on time, within budget, and are of the best possible quality.
In order to succeed as a production manager, you need quick thinking when it comes to making decisions and solving problems. You need to be able to pay close attention to multiple issues at once and make sure the product made fits the requirements of stakeholders. You will also need good communication and leadership skills, especially when it comes to motivating workers and negotiating budgets.
Depending on your training and experience, you can earn an average of $75,000 per year as a production manager in Canada. With experience, some senior production managers can command a six-figure income. To achieve this, you will need to undergo continuous training and be a member of professional organizations such as Supply Chain Canada.