Every factory relies on production managers to keep things running smoothly. This is the plant manager at a small factory; in larger facilities, a number of production managers may oversee many operations and report to an overall plant manager. Managers are responsible for quotas, timetables, staff, quality control, equipment, and inventories, among other things. They are continually assessing and balancing their resources. 

They may also bargain with both employees and management. There is no one-size-fits-all path to become a production manager. Some rise from the ranks of the working class. Applicants with degrees in industrial engineering or business administration, notably MBAs, have the highest chances. 

Production managers split their time between the shop floor and the office. They must deal with a lot of stress while also focusing on responsibility and daily pressure. The potential rewards in terms of money, advancement, and job satisfaction are as large as the responsibility and authority of their job.