Production manager

Back to the list of jobs

Examples of positions

Technical Manager, Production Manager, Product Manager, Kaizen Manager ...

Change in future demand for this occupational group:

Trends in demand for this occupational group:

Demand for technical managers is expected to grow slightly. As distinct from operational management positions there will be a larger excess of demand over supply. In view of highly specialised professional requirements it will be difficult to fill these jobs with people who have other than technical qualifications.   

Skill needs required:

A shortage of so-called “business” skills and competencies is often mentioned in relation to more senior technical jobs. Managers in these positions often focus more on “producing” and show a little knowledge of the market, customers and new trends in the development of demand.  Technical managers will be expected to show an expanding knowledge of the follow-up and supplier-related operations.

Requirements for technical knowledge and skills predominate including specialised technical knowledge in combination with a high degree of organisational and management skills. People in these jobs are responsible for introducing new products and manufacturing processes, cost savings and maximisation of efficiency in manufacturing. They take decisions on allocation of human resources and delegation of technical and manufacturing tasks to the relevant workers and functions. This is why they must also possess “soft skills” – i.e. presentation, negotiation and motivation skills. In the upcoming years manufacturers in electrical engineering will be increasingly forced to produce smaller series of products or to accept customised orders. This will place higher demands on project management and flexibility of manufacturing processes. Moreover, purely manufacturing operations will be increasingly complemented by other activities in the area of services, development and design.    

Summary of present and future requirements:

	ICT	Sales, marketing, law		Processes, management, organization		Soft skills
Current relevancy of skills
Future relevancy of skills

Print this page