How Do I Become a Production Leader?

A person who wants to become a production leader needs a high school diploma and experience on a production line to acquire the necessary skills to manage a line or entire facility. Pay for workers in this position can depend on their experience and level of educational achievement, as well as the type of products in production. The work can be demanding and may include long shifts spent mostly on foot around heavy machinery. Availability of job benefits can depend on the employer.

The production leader is responsible for overseeing production on a given line. This includes ordering supplies, scheduling and managing personnel, and other activities related to operations on a line. Someone who wants to become a production leader needs good communications skills and the ability to focus on multiple tasks at once to keep a line running smoothly and effectively. The work can also be highly repetitive in nature, and it is important to avoid getting bored, as this can lead to carelessness and accidents.

High school students with an interest in careers in industrial production may want to consider taking shop, accounting, and other classes that can help them prepare for management positions in industrial facilities. A student who wants to become a production leader may also be able to intern at a facility to learn more about its operations. Students who excel may be offered full time positions with the company after graduation, or could use letters of recommendation from high school employers to apply for positions once they are ready to enter the workforce.

People with no experience may need to work on an assembly line to acquire the skills necessary to become a production leader. They can work in different positions and may work their way into supervisory positions. With this experience, it may be possible to apply for a leader position in the same facility, or to take those skills to a new employer. Once someone has become a production leader, she can hone her skills and develop connections with employees to make the line more efficient and maintain high safety standards.

Job openings in production are on the decline in many regions as a result of automation. Someone who wants to become a production leader may want to consider developing additional marketable skills so he can transition with an employer rather than being made obsolete by technology. It can also help to subscribe to trade journals to keep abreast of developments in the field.