Production Manager Job Description
Use this template to create a clear, candidate-facing Production Manager job advert that sets out core duties, shift arrangements and the skills you need to run safe, efficient production.
What does a Production Manager professional do?
A Production Manager plans and controls manufacturing operations, manages staff and resources to meet quality, cost and delivery targets while maintaining health and safety and continuous improvement.
Production Manager job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Production Manager
About the role
We are recruiting a Production Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations at [insert location]. You will plan and schedule production, supervise and develop a team, manage resources and maintenance liaison, and drive quality and efficiency improvements to meet output targets. This role typically involves shift coordination and hands-on problem solving to maintain safe, consistent production.
Key responsibilities
- Plan, schedule and prioritise production runs to meet customer orders, quality standards and delivery deadlines.
- Supervise, coach and develop production supervisors and operators; run briefings and performance reviews.
- Monitor process performance using KPIs (e.g. output, yield, downtime) and take corrective action to hit targets.
- Manage shift rotas, cover arrangements and resource allocation during peaks or unplanned absence.
- Liaise with maintenance to schedule preventative maintenance and respond to equipment breakdowns.
- Implement and enforce health, safety and environmental procedures on the production floor.
- Coordinate with quality control to resolve non-conformances, root-cause issues and implement corrective actions.
- Control production costs and waste; support stock accuracy and material availability with planning/purchasing teams.
Essential skills and experience
- Practical experience supervising or managing production teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to plan and schedule production, manage rotas and prioritise tasks under pressure.
- Knowledge of health & safety requirements relevant to production operations and ability to enforce them.
- Experience using production data and KPIs to drive decisions and improvements.
- Good communication skills with the ability to lead shift teams and work across functions (maintenance, quality, logistics).
- Basic IT literacy and experience with production planning tools or spreadsheets.
Desirable
- Experience with continuous improvement methods (Lean, 5S, Kaizen) or formal training in improvement techniques.
- Experience of working with or configuring MRP/ERP systems or shop-floor data collection tools.
- A formal management or supervisory qualification (e.g. NVQ/SVQ in Management) or relevant vocational training.
- Experience managing multi-shift operations and shift handover processes.
- Previous exposure to specific sector standards relevant to your product (food safety, ISO, automotive standards, etc.).
- Familiarity with budgeting and basic cost control in a production setting.
What we offer
- [Insert pension scheme details]
- [Insert annual leave entitlement plus public holiday policy]
- [Insert shift premium / overtime pay arrangements where applicable]
- [Insert training and development opportunities]
- [Insert staff discount or onsite facilities if provided]
- [Insert travel support, car parking or season ticket loan details]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Production Manager role?
A Production Manager coordinates the people, machines and materials that create a company’s products. They translate order schedules into workable plans, supervise frontline teams, manage equipment availability and maintain quality and safety on the shop floor. The role connects operations with maintenance, quality and logistics and focuses on meeting delivery, cost and quality objectives while reducing waste.
Typical hours
Often shift-based (day, early/late or rotating shifts). Expect some overtime during peaks or to cover breakdowns.
Team responsibility
Usually manages supervisors and a frontline team; team size varies from a small cell to several dozen operatives depending on site.
Key measures
Common metrics include output, yield, downtime, first-pass quality and on-time delivery.
Typical Production Manager responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan, schedule
Plan, schedule and prioritise production runs to meet customer orders, quality standards and delivery deadlines.
Supervise
Supervise, coach and develop production supervisors and operators; run briefings and performance reviews.
Monitor process performance using KPIs
Monitor process performance using KPIs (e.g. output, yield, downtime) and take corrective action to hit targets.
Manage shift rotas
Manage shift rotas, cover arrangements and resource allocation during peaks or unplanned absence.
Liaise with maintenance
Liaise with maintenance to schedule preventative maintenance and respond to equipment breakdowns.
Implement
Implement and enforce health, safety and environmental procedures on the production floor.
Coordinate with quality control
Coordinate with quality control to resolve non-conformances, root-cause issues and implement corrective actions.
Control production costs
Control production costs and waste; support stock accuracy and material availability with planning/purchasing teams.
Production Manager skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Practical experience supervising or managing production teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to plan and schedule production, manage rotas and prioritise tasks under pressure.
- Knowledge of health & safety requirements relevant to production operations and ability to enforce them.
- Experience using production data and KPIs to drive decisions and improvements.
- Good communication skills with the ability to lead shift teams and work across functions (maintenance, quality, logistics).
- Basic IT literacy and experience with production planning tools or spreadsheets.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with continuous improvement methods (Lean, 5S, Kaizen) or formal training in improvement techniques.
- Experience of working with or configuring MRP/ERP systems or shop-floor data collection tools.
- A formal management or supervisory qualification (e.g. NVQ/SVQ in Management) or relevant vocational training.
- Experience managing multi-shift operations and shift handover processes.
- Previous exposure to specific sector standards relevant to your product (food safety, ISO, automotive standards, etc.).
- Familiarity with budgeting and basic cost control in a production setting.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Production Manager job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be explicit about shifts
State the expected shift pattern, hours and overtime expectations clearly — shift arrangements are a primary filter for candidates.
Describe the production context
Briefly explain the type of product or process (assembly, batch, continuous) so applicants can self-assess fit.
List measurable responsibilities
Include the KPIs or targets the role will own (e.g. throughput, reject rate) so experienced candidates can demonstrate relevant achievements.
Set realistic essential criteria
Reserve the essential section for must-have experience; put training or sector-specific knowledge in desirable to widen the candidate pool.
Highlight career progression
Mention development opportunities or the next logical step (e.g. Plant Manager, Operations Manager) to attract ambitious candidates.
Production Manager salary considerations
Salaries for Production Managers vary widely. Employers should set pay based on factors below rather than a single market figure.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Production Manager candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What are the exact shift patterns and rota requirements?
Experienced applicants will want to know start/finish times, rotation frequency and how often nights or weekends are required.
How is overtime handled and are there shift premiums?
Candidates need clarity on overtime rates, paid vs. time off in lieu and any premium pay for unsocial hours.
What production systems and equipment will I be responsible for?
Detailing whether the role covers automated lines, manual assembly, or specific machinery helps applicants gauge suitability.
Which KPIs will I be measured on?
Applicants expect to know primary performance metrics so they can describe relevant achievements in applications.
What health & safety and training arrangements are in place?
Applicants look for information on PPE policy, statutory training and site safety culture before committing to a role.
Are there opportunities for training and progression?
Candidates want to know about internal promotion routes, formal training budgets and support for improvement methodologies.
Where to post a Production Manager job
Target both broad and sector-specific channels. Use national job boards and LinkedIn to reach active and passive candidates, plus specialist manufacturing or engineering job sites and trade-association channels for industry-ready applicants. For shift roles, advertise on local community boards, technical colleges and regional recruitment portals to attract candidates within commuting distance.
Related manufacturing & operations job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Production Manager job description FAQs
Do Production Managers need formal qualifications?
Formal qualifications are useful but not always essential. Employers often prioritise hands-on production and people-management experience. Sector-specific training or certificates can be listed as desirable unless legislation requires them for your industry.
How should we assess practical competence during selection?
Use a two-stage approach: a behaviour-based interview covering planning and problem-solving, plus a practical exercise or technical discussion about past production challenges and KPIs. References that confirm team management and delivery against targets are valuable.
What notice periods and start times are reasonable to expect?
Notice periods vary; many candidates have one month or more. For immediate operational needs, consider interim cover or a structured handover to maintain continuity while recruiting.
Should we require experience with specific software?
Specify essential software only if it’s critical to the role. Otherwise list familiarity with MRP/ERP terminology and willingness to learn as desirable to avoid excluding capable candidates.
How do we reflect shift premiums and overtime in the advert?
State whether premiums exist and whether overtime is expected, and explain the payment or time-off policy. Clear detail reduces unsuitable applications and improves retention.
What are common reasons recruitment takes longer for this role?
Extended searches often result from restrictive essential criteria, unclear shift information, or an overly narrow sector focus. Widening desirable skills and clarifying hours usually improves candidate flow.
Ready to advertise your Production Manager vacancy?
Use this template to build your advert, customise the responsibilities and essential criteria to reflect the site and products, then publish on the channels that best reach shift-based and manufacturing candidates.
