To work as an industrial production manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have five years or more of related work experience.

Education after high school

Industrial production managers often have an associate or bachelor's degree and related work experience. Requirements vary widely because there is such a variety of manufacturing plants. For example, some managers may have a high school diploma or an associate degree and several years of work experience. The manufacturing processes depend on the product. For instance, a plant making patio furniture is quite different from one making microchips. In general, as products become more complex, managers need more training and experience.

A bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) is good preparation for this occupation. However, a bachelor's in business plus work experience is sufficient for many management jobs.

Work experience

In general, employers prefer to hire people who have at least five years of experience in their industry. It helps if some of your time is spent as a supervisor.

On-the-job training

Some employers have management training programs for new college graduates. You receive training in the company's products and policies. You also learn about the manufacturing process and your job duties. Training may last several months up to a year; two to three months of training is the most common.