DRINKS INDUSTRY PRODUCTION MANAGER JOBS
Production managers make sure that manufacturing processes run smoothly, are cost-effective and deliver products on time. As a production manager, you could work in all types of manufacturing, for example:
- vehicle assembly
- brewing
- pharmaceuticals
Your work would cover the three main areas of the production process:
- planning - preparing an order, setting quality standards and estimating timescales and costs
- control - monitoring production schedules and adjusting them if problems occur
- supervision - managing the production line, organising staff, and making sure targets are met
You would also put together production reports for factory managers and clients.
You would work closely with maintenance technicians, company buyers, suppliers, quality control, training departments, and health and safety managers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
The most common way of getting into this career is to complete a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in manufacturing, followed by entry on to a management training scheme. Manufacturing courses often specialise in a particular industry, for instance food processing or pharmaceuticals.
To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website (link?).
You may still get on to a Beverage Industry management training scheme without qualifications, if you can show you have previous management experience.
Alternatively, you could look for work as an operative or team leader and work your way up to production management.
What further training and development can I do?
As a trainee drinks industry production manager, you would receive on-the-job training, working alongside experienced staff. A training programme would allow you to gain experience in the supervision, planning and control departments, getting to know their working methods and procedures and gradually taking on more responsibility for projects.
You could work towards one or more of the following qualifications:
- NVQ in Management at levels 3, 4 and 5
- NVQ in Project Management at levels 4 and 5
- Institute of Operations Management (IOM) Certificate and Diploma in Operations Management
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificates and Diplomas
- Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications levels 2 to 5
Most of these organisations also offer a range of short training courses, some of which are available by distance learning.
