How to become a production manager or director in manufacturing
Official title: Production managers and directors in manufacturing
Also called: Manager, Director, Mill manager, Shop manager, Site director, Dairy manager, Floor manager, Plant manager, Shift manager, Works manager, Works director, Brewery manager
Production managers and directors in manufacturing plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources necessary for production in manufacturing industries including the maintenance of engineering items, equipment and machinery.
Main tasks
- Liaises with other managers to plan overall production activity and daily manufacturing activity, sets quality standards and estimates timescales and costs
- Manages production to ensure that orders are completed to an agreed date and conform to customer and other requirements
- Monitors production and production costs and undertakes or arranges for the preparation of reports and records
- Oversees supervision of the production line and its staff, ensures targets are met
How to become one
There are no pre-set entry standards. Entry is possible with either a degree or equivalent qualification, and/or relevant experience. On-the-job training is provided, and professional qualifications are available, as are S/NVQs in Management at levels 3 to 5.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Manufacturing manager (integrated degree) (level 6). England. Typically 42 months. Skills England standard ST0515.
- Apprenticeship (England): Through life engineering services specialist (integrated degree) (level 7). England. Typically 24 months. Skills England standard ST0740.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £58,640 a year The middle half earn £42,885 to £85,000.
- About 270,300 people work in this job now, and about 296,200 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)
Related jobs
- Production managers and directors in construction
- Production managers and directors in mining and energy
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Questions people ask
How do I become a production manager or director in manufacturing?
There are no pre-set entry standards. Entry is possible with either a degree or equivalent qualification, and/or relevant experience. On-the-job training is provided, and professional qualifications are available, as are S/NVQs in Management at levels 3 to 5.
How much does a production manager or director in manufacturing earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £58,640 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £42,885 to £85,000.
Is a production manager or director in manufacturing a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 270,300 to about 296,200 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a production manager or director in manufacturing?
Not always. 42% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Manufacturing manager (integrated degree) (level 6).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03