[Site name]

Manufacturing manager

Also called manufacturing director, manufacturing plant manager, industrial production supervisor

Manufacturing managers plan, oversee and direct the manufacturing process in an organisation. They ensure products and services are efficiently produced within the timeframe and budget given.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Manufacturing managers · ILO

What you'd do

Manufacturing managers · ILO
  • Determining, implementing and monitoring production strategies, policies and plans
  • Planning details of production activities in terms of output quality and quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements
  • Controlling the operation of production plant and quality procedures through planning of maintenance, designation of operating hours and supply of parts and tools
  • Establishing and managing budgets, monitoring production output and costs, and adjusting processes and resources to minimize costs
  • Consulting with and informing other managers about production matters
  • Overseeing the acquisition and installation of new plant and equipment
  • Controlling the preparation of production records and reports
  • Coordinating the implementation of occupational health and safety requirements
  • Identifying business opportunities and determining products to be manufactured
  • Researching and implementing regulatory and statutory requirements affecting manufacturing operations and the environment
  • Overseeing the provision of quotes for the manufacture of specialized goods and establishing contracts with customers and suppliers
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
Meet deadlinesManage staffAdhere to organisational guidelinesManage suppliesCreate manufacturing guidelines+ 12 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Industrial Production Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of manufacturing managers, 5 a surplus.
Manufacturing managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%
Field that teaches it
Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.38 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 12 tasks
Controlling the preparation of production records and reports0.52
Establishing and managing budgets, monitoring production output and costs, and adjusting processes and resources to minimize costs0.51
Planning details of production activities in terms of output quality and quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements0.48
Determining, implementing and monitoring production strategies, policies and plans0.44
Consulting with and informing other managers about production matters0.43
Identifying business opportunities and determining products to be manufactured0.41
Overseeing the provision of quotes for the manufacture of specialized goods and establishing contracts with customers and suppliers0.35
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.33
Controlling the operation of production plant and quality procedures through planning of maintenance, designation of operating hours and supply of parts and tools0.33
Researching and implementing regulatory and statutory requirements affecting manufacturing operations and the environment0.32
Coordinating the implementation of occupational health and safety requirements0.27
Overseeing the acquisition and installation of new plant and equipment0.17

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for manufacturing managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).