A Career in Manufacturing & Production

The job role

Positions in manufacturing and production are widely available in the automotive, pharmaceutical, engineering and petrochemical industries amongst others, and generally involve responsibility for ensuring the timely completion of often complex processes to facilitate the production of high-quality goods.  Production operatives will work with a variety of equipment and machinery and may be responsible for ensuring that these are fully functional, well maintained and appropriately configured.  Finished products will need to be delivered in accordance with particular specifications and deadlines, and production supervisors or line managers will coordinate their team to ensure that these are achieved.  It is also essential to ensure that the working environment is maintained in accordance with relevant health, safety and environmental regulations.

Relevant qualifications

Basic academic qualifications are all that are required for an entry level role in a manufacturing or production environment and apprenticeships are also available.  Various academic and professional qualifications include NVQ/SVQs, HNC/HNDs and degrees.  Training courses accredited by the Institute of Operations Management (IOM) and the Chartered Management Institute are also offered in manufacturing and production related subjects.

Skills requirements

Attention to detail is important to ensure that procedures are adhered to and quality standards achieved.  Operatives may often be required to be physically fit and willing and able to work shifts.  Technical and problem-solving skills are useful as is an understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Principles.  Costs must be controlled to ensure optimum efficiency and communication skills are important in order to work effectively as part of a team.

Career development

Skilled operatives can progress to line management roles or can diversify into quality control or similar fields such as logistics.  Larger international organisations also offer the opportunity of overseas positions.