Building Blocks: Manufacturing Management Essentials for New Managers
Manufacturing management is one of the most stressful, but also the most rewarding jobs in the world. They usually make salaries of up to $140,000 per year, and that money is well earned. Managers need to communicate with both workers on the floor and leadership up top.
Meanwhile, they need to navigate complicated supply chains while holding up product quality. They also need to meticulously plan equipment upgrades and hiring strategies. In essence, they are the ones that build the company and help make it can continue functioning.
Keep reading below to learn more about what good manufacturing managers need to know before getting started.
Manufacturing Management Starts With Raw Materials
The first thing that most new manufacturing managers worry about is sourcing materials. They are usually responsible for helping build a reliable supply chain of materials like plastics and metals. Right now, they could be facing unique challenges that predecessors never dreamed would happen.
The global supply chain is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to soaring prices and shoddy suppliers. Modern manufacturing managers need to be able to think on their feet when sourcing raw materials. They need to be able to quickly evaluate the quality of new suppliers and have others to turn to in case one supplier comes up short.
Every Industrial Manager Should Connect With Workers
After finding raw materials, manufacturing managers need to be able to reach out to workers. These are the people that actually perform the labor that the company relies on. They don’t just deserve appreciation, but they also deserve respect.
That means listening to any complaints workers have, and taking input from them on how the company can run better. Managers need to act as communicators and mediators between workers and executive leadership, too. They can get help with this from experts, and you can learn more about this kind of help online.
On one hand, they need the tell workers about what executive leadership envisions for the company. They also need to tell leadership about what workers need. If manufacturing managers do their job well, they can help broker compromises.
Build Plans for Equipment and Production
Manufacturing managers are also usually the ones responsible for making sure employees have the tools they need. They are usually the ones that find necessary equipment and help bring it into the warehouse. That can include anything from forklifts to specialized, precision machines.
It also means manufacturing managers need to be experts in how products are made. They need to know what each machine is used for, and how it impacts the product’s overall quality.
A Good Manager is One That Listens to Everybody
Manufacturing management is not an easy job, but it is rewarding. Besides the pay, these people get to work with people across the industry to make sure the company operates well. They represent the interests of leaders and workers alike, and they need to be skilled in many ways.
They need to be good communicators, meticulous planners, cunning negotiators, and expert manufacturers. Managers don’t just manage work schedules and company inventory. They also help build a vision of the company’s future.
And to learn more about the role and how to succeed in it, just keep reading our website!
