In addition, a growing emphasis on quality in the production process has redistributed some of the production manager's oversight responsibilities to supervisors and workers on the production line. Because production managers are so essential to the efficient operation of a plant, they have not been greatly affected by recent efforts to flatten management structures. Nevertheless, this trend has led production managers to assume more responsibilities and has discouraged the creation of more employment opportunities. Advancement Industrial production managers with a proven record of superior performance may advance to plant manager or vice president for manufacturing. Others transfer to jobs at larger firms with more responsibilities.
Opportunities also exist as consultants.
Some industrial production managers have worked their way up the ranks, perhaps after having worked as blue-collar worker supervisors. For a list of current job listing, browse Caljobs or America's Job Bank . Click Right facing arrow to start Video, Speaker Icon to contol Sound Requires QuickTime 4 Education and Training Because of the diversity of manufacturing operations and job requirements, there is no standard preparation for this occupation. Many industrial production managers have a college degree in business administration, management, or industrial engineering. Some are former production line supervisors who have been promoted.