This post provides detailed information on the production coordinator (manufacturing) job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.
It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the production coordinator role.
What Does a Production Coordinator Do?
Production coordinators contribute majorly to the manufacturing world. They keep all gears running well in the production process, making sure everything that happens is done in an effective and qualitative manner as much as possible.
But what is it that they do?
A production coordinator (manufacturing) performs a range of duties that ensure the production team achieves its scheduled goals and maintain quality assurance for the department.
The production coordinator job description essentially entails managing and coordinating all phases of production, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring production activities to ensure products are made within the constraints of time, cost, and quality.
It is a job that combines organizational talent with technical knowledge and interpersonal skills.
Production coordinators take direction from the production or operations manager.
They interface directly with procurement, quality control, logistics, and sales to ensure that production goals are aligned with general business objectives.
Production coordinators can be found at work in everything from manufacturing and automotive to food production and pharmaceuticals, including any industry that deals with producing things a consumer or business user would buy.
The typical requirement for this role is a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, supply chain management, or a related field.
That being said, a few employers may consider work experience for a correlating position instead of a degree.
A lot of production coordinators also have additional certification to give them more skills and job prospects.
The Association for Supply Chain Management has a few highly regarded certifications within the field.
Some core coordination functions of the production coordinator include production scheduling, working with outside suppliers, maintaining inventory, and analyzing data.
Other tasks include ensuring that safety and quality standards are met, and collaboration with other departments in resolving issues.
In addition, their primary duties also include conducting training for fresh employees, working with new production technologies, and involvement in continuous improvement.
Indeed, production coordinators have been a very key part in the efficiency and competitiveness of the manufacturing industry for countries like China, Germany, and the United States.
Employers usually want to see strong organizational skills, problem-solving and good communication abilities in a candidate for the production coordinator role that has an overall understanding of production processes.
Knowledge in production management software and lean manufacturing principles add some advantage to the candidate.
Production coordinators have to follow several regulations handed down by different bodies.
For example, in the United States, they should comply with the standards prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure safety at the workplace.
They may also be required to follow guidelines set out by regulatory bodies specific to their industry.
Production Coordinator Example/Sample/Template
The production coordinator job description may consist of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities, depending on the company they work for:
- Develop and maintain production schedules that meet customer demand and deadlines
- Coordinate with suppliers to get raw materials and components on time
- Keep tabs on the inventory and order placement for maintaining optimal stocks
- Analyze production data for any bottlenecks and areas of improvement.
- Interact with quality control departments to ensure production is carried out according to specified standards
- Interaction with the sales and customer service department to respond to any production-related queries from these areas
- Establish and maintain production tracking systems
- Attend regular production meetings to discuss the progress, problems, and solutions
- Prepare production reports and their distribution
- Organize equipment servicing schedules in order to avoid costly down-time
- Implement safety regulations and company policy
- Aid in training new production employees
- Participate in continuous improvement to enhance the efficiency of production
- Manage production-related documentation and records
- Coordinate with the logistics teams to ensure that the finished products are shipped out in time
- Assist in material and labor forecasting for production runs
- Troubleshoot production problems with real-time solution of the issue
- Coordinate with engineering teams for product design changes at the beginning to improve the manufacturability
- Track the production costs and recommend cost-reduction programs
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to resolve complex production problems
- Assist in developing and implementing SOPs
- Design production staff schedules and overtime and manage arising demands of production
- Participate in new product introduction processes
- Regularly audit the production process to ensure uniformity and quality
- Stay updated with current production techniques, and adopt new technologies in production.
Production Coordinator Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
A production coordinator requires a broad range of skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform effectively on the job, including:
- High School Diploma or GED (minimum requirement)
- Associate Degree in a related field (preferred by many employers)
- Bachelor’s Degree (required by some companies)
- Certifications (often preferred, not always required): Certified Production Technician (CPT) – MSSC; Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) – APICS; Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt; OSHA Safety Certification (e.g., OSHA 10 or OSHA 30); ERP/MRP Software Training Certificates; Forklift Certification (if assisting with material movement); First Aid/CPR Certification (preferred in some plants)
- Organizational and time management skills to ensure smooth daily operations and minimal delays
- Strong ability to communicate well both in writing and verbally with supervisors, machine operators, suppliers, and quality control teams to keep everyone aligned with production goals and timelines
- Problem-solving skills: Ability to provide quick and effective solutions to production issues like machine failure, material delays, or workforce shortages, to keep operations on track
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Strong ability to work with production staff, maintenance, logistics, procurement, and management to keep production efficient and effective
- Data entry and reporting skills: Ability to record production numbers, downtime, inventory use, and performance metrics accurately
- Negotiation skills for dealing with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Flexibility in carrying out functions, and ability to adapt to changing priorities
- Detail-oriented: Ability to accurately check work orders, materials, and inventory records and avoid mistakes, which can cause downtime or defective products
- Strong ability to manage stress, maintain a calm demeanor while working under pressure
- Computer and ERP software skills: Familiarity with manufacturing software such as ERP, MRP, SAP, Oracle, or scheduling systems
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes: Deep understanding of assembly procedures, production flow, machinery, and quality standards
- In-depth knowledge of supply chain management principles
- Inventory management skills: Ability to track materials, parts, and supplies to prevent shortages, overstock, and production interruptions
- Basic knowledge of accounting and budgeting
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with various stakeholders
- Profound knowledge of industry-specific laws or standards
- In-depth knowledge of logistics and transportation processes
- Strong ability to multitask and perform various projects concurrently under pressure
- Knowledge of quality control standards: Strong understanding of inspection processes, product specifications, and compliance requirements, which ensures products meet company and industry standards
- Ability to make sound, sharp decisions
- Deep knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles
- Ability to interpret technical documents and blueprints
- Strong ability to work well in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and also adaptable to changing production demands
- Ability to think strategically and link up production objectives with business goals
- Strong ability to train and mentor junior staff members
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations in manufacturing process
- Ability to effectively manage and implement change
- Scheduling and planning: Strong ability to create daily, weekly, or monthly production schedules to ensure deadlines are met and resources are used effectively.
Production Coordinator Job Description for Resume
If you have worked previously as a production coordinator or are presently working in that role and are creating a new resume or CV, then you can apply the sample job description above in making the Professional Experience part of the resume.
You can express the major duties and responsibilities you have or are currently performing as a production coordinator in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above production coordinator job description example.
This will be proof to recruiters/employers that you have been effective performing the duties and responsibilities of a production coordinator, which can greatly boost your chances of getting the job that you are applying for, especially if it requires someone with some production coordinator work experience.
(Learn how to make an effective resume applying the Employer-focused Resume Writing Technique)
Conclusion
This guide dives deep into the world of production coordinators.
It details their job description, including duties, responsibilities, and necessary skills.
It also provides exhaustive information on the requirements that candidates for the production coordinator role may be asked to meet to be hired.
Employers can use the information on this page to write a job description for the production coordinator role and assess candidates for hiring.
Understanding the intricacies of this role is key in today’s manufacturing environment.
As industries change and new technologies emerge, production coordinators will adapt, making it a dynamic and rewarding career for those who enjoy efficiency, problem-solving, and being part of the manufacturing process.
