A multi-faceted role…

By Sylvie Lemieux

The mission of the production manager begins as soon as the company receives an order. This individual proceeds to analyze the labour requirements, ensures that the necessary materials are on hand, orders any missing parts and regularly checks the inventory. At the same time, he or she establishes production schedules in accordance with the deadlines set by the client, and structures the production cells.

The production manager is also responsible for the product's circulation from one workstation to another so as to prevent bottlenecks. This person is also responsible for setting up for production and for ensuring that once the products are completed they are sent to the quality control department. If changes are made to the delivery schedule, he or she notifies the managers in the marketing department. Moreover, in the event of technical problems, he or she can call on the expertise of the researchers in the R&D department.

The production manager is also involved in personnel supervision. He or she assigns the assemblers, operators, technologists and technicians to the different tasks and informs them of the specifications of any given order. Next, he or she establishes the schedules for his or her team. Another responsibility entails evaluating the team's performance throughout the manufacturing process and overseeing training. Moreover, he or she ensures that the rules in place for occupational health and safety are applied in accordance with the law.

The incumbent must also execute administrative tasks: completing production forms and reports, drafting procedures and documents to accompany the products, filling orders, recording data for producing reports and updating production databanks, etc. He or she is also responsible for preparing preventive maintenance programs. Lastly, this individual also participates in the development of budget forecasts.

Planning skills

The list of competencies required of the production manager includes planning and organization. Also, this individual must take effective action in unexpected situations. In the case of problems this individual must quickly find solutions, relying often on his or her analytical skills, combined with perspicacity and patience. The production manager must also demonstrate heightened manual dexterity.

Among the other essential assets, it is important to mention the ability to forge interpersonal relationships. In fact, the production manager works in close collaboration with the production personnel and with other departments within the company. Open-mindedness and the ability to manage conflicts are also necessary. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to easily communicate in French and in English. Clearly, this person must know how to operate a computer and work with different software applications.

Generally speaking, this position is awarded to an individual with college training in physical engineering. The production manager must also be knowledgeable in optics and electronic techniques or procedures. One to two years of experience in work team management and in production is also necessary.