Skills & Competencies for Production Manager

Production Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Production Manager

Manages operations of production areas to ensure that volume, cost, waste, and quality standards are achieved.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Production Manager

Follows overall production schedules to manage staffing and establish daily and shift production goals. Monitors shift production metrics to identify and resolve issues and implement process improvements. Coordinates maintenance, turnarounds, and downtime for efficiency and speed. Ensures that staff training processes, equipment, gear, and tool requirements are fulfilled to comply with health and safety regulations. Coaches teams in best practices to provide a safe and efficient work environment and resolve escalated issues and problems.

Production Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$121,238
TOTAL 50%
$129,794
Job Level
M02
Job Code
SC16000553
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Senior Manager

Production Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Production Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

11 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Production Manager

1 Industry Competency – Capacity Planning and Management
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Determining and evaluating available production resources to meet demand and remain market competitive with a view toward long-term growth.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites examples of capacity planning and management practices.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies capacity planning and management techniques to support maximum capacity utilization.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes the impact of variances on capacity planning to improve manufacturing performance.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Directs strategic decision-making in capacity planning and management to prevent process inefficiencies.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Constructs procedures for capacity planning to maximize activities and production output.
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2 Industry Competency – Just-in-Time (JIT)
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Aligning, executing, and managing JIT inventory system with raw materials in accordance with the production schedules to meet product demands.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites examples of the advantages and disadvantages of using JIT.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Adheres to the JIT principles in identifying and tracking material requirements.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Adapts to JIT concepts in ensuring prompt product assembly to meet customer forecasted demands.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Drives the adoption of JIT philosophy to minimize part shortages, resources, and costs for manufacturing.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of advanced tools and systems to improve JIT performance and quality.
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3 Production Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

3 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Production Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Safety Policies and Procedures
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Establishing and implementing clear safety policies and procedures to effectively manage hazards and risks associated with the business operations.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites examples of best practices for developing safety policies and procedures.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies safety concepts in the workplace, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Drafts standard operating procedures to ensure seamless implementation of safety policies.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Delivers clear interpretation of safety policies, procedures, and reports to all junior managers and staff.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Conceptualizes innovative ways to drive continuous improvements in our safety policies and procedures.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Lean Manufacturing
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Executing Lean project management techniques and tools by utilizing a manufacturing production system to eliminate waste and maximize productivity.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites the industry best practices in Lean manufacturing.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies Lean manufacturing techniques to support operational excellence and continuous improvement projects.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Executes Lean manufacturing techniques to manage material flow throughout the value stream.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Contributes to the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles to accomplish streamlined results and processes.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds Lean Manufacturing systems to produce quality products and meet customer expectations.
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3 Production Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

11 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Production Manager

1 Core Competencies – Planning and Organizing
Proficiency Level -4
Skill definition-Managing and prioritizing resources and workloads by creating well-organized plans to attain organizational goals and objectives.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites potential challenges and workplace issues in delegating tasks that may impede well coordinated work.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in identifying and breaking tasks into a sequence of steps for a more organized task plan.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Aligns tasks and priorities with business goals and objectives.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates programs to improve planning and organization of work to achieve business objectives.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds and designs organizational systems and planning tools to enhance overall productivity.
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2 Core Competencies – Prioritization
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Evaluating and establishing activities according to urgency and importance to arrange the order of task assignments more effectively.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the definition of prioritization in the workplace.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Applies productivity tools to prioritize and stay on track.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Administers workload prioritization daily to help staff identify the most urgent tasks.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults on the selection and application of prioritization methods.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of advanced prioritization methods and techniques.
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3 Production Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Production Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Production Manager skills and competencies

There are 11 hard skills for Production Manager, Capacity Planning and Management, Just-in-Time (JIT), Make to Order, etc.
3 general skills for Production Manager, Safety Policies and Procedures, Lean Manufacturing, Quality Assurance.
11 soft skills for Production Manager, Planning and Organizing, Prioritization, Coordination, etc.
While the list totals 25 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Production Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Planning and Organizing, be skilled in Prioritization, and be skilled in Coordination.

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