Job profile
Production Manager (m/f/d)
A production manager plays a crucial role in the manufacturing industry. This profession combines technical understanding and management skills to ensure the efficiency and quality of production processes. As the link between management and production employees, a production manager is responsible for the planning, coordination and control of manufacturing processes.
This job profile provides a detailed insight into the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for the role of Production Manager.
Are you looking for a job as a production manager (m/f/d)?
Are you looking for an experienced Production Manager (m/f/d)?
Are you looking for a new project as a Business Development Manager (m/f/d)?
What is a production manager?
Definition and overview
A production manager, also known as a production manager or head of production, is responsible for the entire manufacturing process of an industrial product. Until 2002, the profession was still called industrial foreman in Switzerland. Whether in mechanical engineering, chemical companies or in the manufacture of consumer goods: as a production manager, you ensure that production runs smoothly and are responsible for all employees in production.
You will monitor production planning, ensure that production targets are met and implement improvements to increase efficiency. You will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations. Production manager is a profession that requires both analytical and communication skills.
It is not only the organization and management of production, but also quality management and employee management that make the area of responsibility of production managers so varied. In most manufacturing industries, the production manager is seen as a valued specialist who has a variety of tasks and brings a wealth of knowledge to the entire production process.
Production management oversees the entire production process from purchasing to sales. To this end, it plans the production processes, monitors their implementation and adheres to agreed budgets by meticulously planning labor, material and maintenance costs. Production management is also responsible for coordinating production employees and work processes.
In addition to the production industry, there is also a production manager in the film. This is the person responsible for the process on set.
roduction manager salary Switzerland:
What does a production manager earn?
The average salary for production managers in Switzerland is CHF 95,000 gross per year. However, the income of production managers varies depending on the location of the company as well as their academic degree and professional experience.
The industry also has a major influence on earnings in production management, which is why real salaries can often vary greatly.
Junior production manager salary: your starting salary
Senior production manager salary
Production manager tasks and activities:
What does a production manager do?
Smooth production and therefore also the quality of the product to be produced stands and falls with the competence of the production manager. As a production manager, you must have an overview of the entire process.
This begins with the specification and purchasing of materials and includes the instruction and training of employees in production as well as quality assurance and error analysis. Thanks to close cooperation with marketing and sales, production management incorporates the latest findings in order to continuously improve the efficiency of production and keep an eye on the budget. Your tasks therefore also include the continuous improvement of processes and methods.
In the event of unexpected production backlogs or delays and errors, the production management team works to quickly identify the cause and find a solution. It is also important to have an overview of the machines and systems in operation. Is it necessary to purchase a new machine? Does an old system need to be shut down? These decisions are often the responsibility of the production manager.
Production managers also ensure and safeguard production and occupational safety, as well as monitoring environmental protection requirements. There is constant coordination between production management and plant management.
Specific tasks of production managers are:
Enabling smooth production processes
Contact for all stakeholders on the topic of production
Management, motivation and training of employees
Error and problem analysis
Quality assurance and improvement through constant monitoring
Planning and controlling the use of materials and resources
Technical and commercial planning and management of production
Participation in product development and purchasing
How do you become a production manager?
Training, studies & further education
If you want to become a production manager, you need several years of professional experience in production. However, there is no specific training course for production managers. In some industries, production managers need to have completed a higher professional examination (HFP).
In other cases, you can also start with an academic background or work your way up through good performance after many years in the company, for example from shift supervisor to production manager.
The experience in production and the technical expertise that you bring with you are therefore particularly important. This is the only way you can be considered for the role of production manager.
Production manager training: The practical way
One way to become a production manager is to complete an apprenticeship in a technical or industrial profession. For example, training as an industrial mechanic or technical product designer could be a good basis for a career as a production manager. During the apprenticeship, you will gain practical experience in production and learn how to monitor and optimize production processes.
After completing your basic vocational training, you can also train for the higher professional examination to become a production manager in industry. You will learn skills in organizational design, management and employee leadership, production management, supply chain management, business and financial management.
Possible courses in preparation for the HFP in Switzerland are
Production Manager / Industry (HFP) at the Swissmem Academy
Production manager studies: the academic path
Another way to become a production manager is to study in a relevant subject area. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, business administration or production management can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful as a production manager. During your studies, you will learn how to plan, control and improve production processes, among other things. You will also acquire skills in employee management and business administration.
However, even in this case, you will still need to gain several years of professional experience in production or the desired industry after graduation in order to be promoted to production management.
Further training as a production manager: how to advance your career
Once you have gained a foothold in your career as a production manager, there are numerous opportunities for further training. For example, you could complete further training to become a technical business economist in order to deepen your business knowledge. Or you could specialize in a specific area of production.
Possible further training courses for production managers in Switzerland include
Knowledge of production managers:
What hard and soft skills does a production manager need?
A production manager is a real all-rounder and therefore has knowledge and skills in various areas.
Time management, organizational skills and knowledge of lean production are particularly in demand in production management. Added to this is the ability to gain competitive advantages for the company through cost-efficient, customer-oriented production. A production manager should also have technical understanding and a methodical approach.
As the production manager is responsible for all employees in the production chain, high levels of communication, motivation and leadership skills are just as important as the ability to work in a team and, increasingly, foreign language skills.
Specifically, a production manager needs the following hard skills:
Training or studies in engineering activities such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, media informatics
Specific industry knowledge
Further training through special training courses for production management
Organizational management
Business fluent in foreign languages
Load capacity
Time management
Assertiveness
Leadership and communication skills
Error detection
Production manager careers:
opportunities on the job market in Switzerland
The opportunities on the job market as a production manager are very good in various regions of Switzerland. In the regions of Bern, Zurich and Aargau in particular, many companies are currently looking for employees in this field.
As a production manager, you have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries. These include the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, food production and metalworking. These industries are particularly well represented in Switzerland and therefore offer good job prospects. The best salary prospects for production managers are in the energy and water industry.
In general, it can be said that the job prospects for production managers in Switzerland are very positive. With the right qualifications and experience, you have a good chance of finding a suitable position.
Top job offers for Production Manager
FAQ
The salary for production managers in Switzerland is around CHF 95,000 gross per year. The industry and the size of the company have a very large influence on the amount you earn as a production manager.
The terms production manager and production manager are usually used interchangeably. However, the word manufacturing refers exclusively to material goods, while production also describes the creation of services or cultural goods, such as films.
The production manager leads the team of employees in production. They themselves often report to the head of department or directly to the management.
Our locations