Production Manager Resume Example
Starting a career as a production manager gives you the chance to gain experience in overseeing production processes and managing team KPIs. To succeed in your applications for production manager roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional production manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other production manager applicants. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your production manager resume.
Main sections of a production manager resume
A successful production manager resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
For junior and entry-level production manager positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
If you're already working as a production manager, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
If you're applying for senior production manager positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Expect your senior resume to be slightly longer than resumes for more junior roles. This is because you 'll want to add details of professional memberships, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements expected of senior professionals.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header and Personal Information
In your production manager resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Alexander Flores
alexander.flores@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/alexander–flores123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in production manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for production manager roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for production manager roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a production manager resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Results-driven Production Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and extensive experience as a Production Operations Manager. Proven expertise in streamlining production processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. Adept at implementing lean manufacturing principles, optimizing resource utilization, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to boost productivity and reduce costs. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills with a track record of delivering high-quality results in fast-paced manufacturing environments
Bad example:
Production manager with some background in engineering and experience in managing production activities. Worked on making processes better and leading teams to meet goals. Familiar with using certain methods to improve how resources are used and making ongoing improvements to save time and money. Have skills in leadership, solving problems, and managing projects, with experience in busy manufacturing settings
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Employment History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your production manager skills. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Production Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Arcadia Manufacturing Solutions, Louisville
- Improved production efficiency by 30% through implementation of lean manufacturing principles and streamlined operational processes
- Reduced operational costs by 25% by optimizing supply chain management and negotiating better vendor contracts
- Successfully led a team of 50+ employees, achieving a 98% on-time delivery rate and exceeding quality standards consistently
Bad example:
Production Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Arcadia Manufacturing Solutions, Louisville
- Enhanced team performance and productivity through effective management and leadership strategies
- Implemented process improvements to boost overall operational efficiency and effectiveness
- Achieved significant cost savings by optimizing various production and supply chain processes
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant production manager qualifications and educational achievements.
To work as a production manager, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your supply chain optimization or ERP systems proficiency.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, 2017 - 2020
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for production manager jobs. These could be supply chain optimization, continuous improvement focus or various other relevant skills. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key production manager skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to include hard skills on your production manager resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for production manager positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a production manager resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a production manager resume, see below.
- Project management software
- Lean manufacturing principles
- Quality control systems
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a production manager resume, see below.
- Leadership and mentoring
- Problem-solving skills
- Effective time management
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a production manager. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a production manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- Six Sigma Black Belt, 2022
- APICS CPIM, 2022
Resume tip:
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a production manager resume. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a production manager. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteering
If you're lacking relevant production manager work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
Standard production manager resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best action words for your production manager resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Managed
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Optimized
- Implemented
- Streamlined
- Executed
- Facilitated
- Monitored
- Controlled
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Sample production manager resume
The production manager resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
•
alexander.flores@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/alexander–flores123
Dynamic and results-oriented Production Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and extensive experience as a Production Operations Manager. Proven expertise in streamlining production processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and leading cross-functional teams. Adept at implementing lean manufacturing principles, managing budgets, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to achieve company objectives. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering high-quality products on time and within budget
Production Operations Manager
2020
-2022
NexGen Manufacturing Solutions (Spokane)
- Successfully reduced production costs by 15% through process optimization and waste reduction initiatives
- Implemented lean manufacturing techniques, increasing production efficiency by 20% and reducing lead times by 25%
- Led a team to achieve ISO 9001 certification, enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction by 30%
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
2017
-2020
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Project management software
Lean manufacturing principles
Quality control systems
Leadership and mentoring
Problem-solving skills
Effective time management
PMP Certification
Six Sigma Black Belt
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for production manager resumes
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different production manager roles (e.g. monitored, controlled, managed).
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for production manager roles.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your production manager resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When writing your production manager resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a production manager resume
Now that you know how to write a professional production manager resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the production manager job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Writing a production manager resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for production manager positions at first glance. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Junior Production Manager Seeking Growth
- Experienced Production Manager Delivering Excellence
- Senior Production Management Professional
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your production manager resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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