Production Control Manager

Career Guide
A Production Control Manager plans and coordinates how materials, work orders, and schedules flow through a manufacturing operation. The goal is to keep production on time, control inventory, reduce delays, and ensure customer orders ship as promised.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain production schedules based on demand, capacity, and lead times
  • Release work orders and prioritize jobs across production lines
  • Coordinate material availability with purchasing, receiving, and inventory teams
  • Track production progress and address shortages, delays, and bottlenecks
  • Set and monitor inventory targets for raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods
  • Lead daily production planning meetings and communicate changes to stakeholders
  • Maintain accurate planning data in the planning system and inventory system
  • Partner with quality, engineering, and maintenance to reduce downtime and rework
  • Report schedule performance, on time delivery, and inventory health to leadership
  • Support continuous improvement projects that increase throughput and reliability

Top Skills for Success

Production Scheduling
Demand Planning
Capacity Planning
Inventory Management
Materials Planning
Workflow Optimization
Root Cause Analysis
Problem Solving
Stakeholder Communication
Team Leadership
Process Improvement
ERP Systems
Excel Modeling
Data Reporting

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Production Manager
Operations Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Materials Manager
Plant Manager
Transition Opportunities
Master Scheduler
Demand Planning Manager
Inventory Planning Manager
Continuous Improvement Manager
Program Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Advanced ERP PlanningInventory Accuracy ManagementStatistical ForecastingSIOP Process KnowledgeKPI DesignChange ManagementSupplier Lead Time Management
Development SuggestionsStrengthen planning fundamentals by owning a monthly planning cycle, improving key master data, and leading one cross functional project focused on schedule adherence or inventory reduction. Build credibility with clear metrics, routine communication, and consistent follow through.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 65,000 to 85,000
Mid LevelUSD 85,000 to 115,000
Senior LevelUSD 115,000 to 155,000
Growth Trend
Stable to growing demand, driven by supply chain uncertainty, reshoring of manufacturing, and increased focus on inventory accuracy and on time delivery.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
BoeingLockheed MartinRaytheonGeneral MotorsFordTeslaToyotaGE AerospaceSiemens3MMedtronicJohnson and JohnsonProcter and GamblePepsiCoCaterpillarHoneywell
Industry Sectors
Aerospace and DefenseAutomotiveMedical DevicesConsumer Packaged GoodsIndustrial EquipmentElectronics ManufacturingFood and BeveragePharmaceutical ManufacturingChemical ManufacturingContract Manufacturing

Recommended Next Steps

1
Audit current schedule performance and define three measurable improvement targets
2
Map the end to end planning process and document key decision points
3
Improve master data quality for lead times, lot sizes, and safety stock
4
Create a weekly planning dashboard for on time delivery, shortages, and inventory turns
5
Run a structured daily shortage review and track resolution time
6
Lead a capacity and constraint review to reduce bottlenecks
7
Get hands on training in the company ERP planning modules
8
Build a standardized communication rhythm with production, purchasing, and customer service