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Useful experience for production managers includes:

• experience in the industry that you want to work in
• management or engineering experience
• work in a factory or office.

Production managers may do some or all of the following:

• order and co-ordinate materials, supplies and equipment
• set production goals, timetables and budgets
• evaluate production processes, and report on production results
• manage repairs, testing and upgrading of equipment
• develop new products or production processes
• recruit and train new production staff
• meet with clients or customers
• maintain safety standards in the factory.

Expanding manufacturing sector improves outlook

Job opportunities for production managers have increased as the manufacturing sector is producing more.

Seek reports advertisements for production managers have doubled in the three months to May 2023.

However, a drop in new orders could reduce this demand, as this role can be affected by economic conditions. 

According to the Census, 7,977 production managers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Opportunities best for production managers with managerial or trades skills

Your chances of securing a production manager job are best if you have:

• management experience and qualifications
• trades experience and qualifications such as mechanical engineering
• experience in the manufacturing process.

 Types of employers varied

Most manufacturing companies have a production manager. In small companies, the job may be combined with another role such as team administrator.

Competenz

0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz

NZ Association for Operations & Supply Chain Professionals (NZPICS)

(09) 525 1525 - enquiries@nzpics.org.nz - www.nzpics.org.nz

NZ Organisation for Quality

(06) 351 4407 - membership@nzoq.org.nz - www.nzoq.org.nz

Production managers may progress into general management roles or take up similar positions in other industries.

They may also specialise in a role such as:

Production Planner

Production planners help ensure factories run smoothly by working out timetables and keeping necessary supplies in stock.

Production Supervisor

Production supervisors manage teams in factories or manufacturing workplaces.

Quality Manager

Quality managers ensure products meet relevant quality standards, set up quality assessment systems, and improve product quality.

Technical Manager

Technical managers are responsible for checking, maintaining and upgrading technology in production workplaces.

Production managers need to be:

• friendly and patient
• organised and good at planning
• good at making decisions and solving problems
• excellent at communicating
• good at leading people
• able to work well under pressure, and deal with conflict.