How to Become a Plant Manager?
Are you thinking of becoming a Plant Manager or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Plant Manager, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Plant Manager job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Plant Manager
If you're considering starting your Plant Manager career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Plant Manager and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Plant Manager career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Plant Manager career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Plant Manager internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Plant Manager?
90% of people working as a Plant Manager earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Plant Manager?
- Splicing
- Military Experience
- Test Equipment
- Team Leadership
- Computer Literacy
- Professionalism
- Value Proposition
- Written Communication
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Plant Manager, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Plant Manager field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Plant Manager specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Plant Manager
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Plant Manager. In general, you can become a Plant Manager after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Plant Manager role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified b corporation.4
Advance in Your Plant Manager Career
Following entry-level, there are several Plant Manager career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Plant Manager to progress to the supervisor plant manager position. Each advanced Plant Manager position requires approximately 5 years of experience at each level to advance in your Plant Manager career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Plant Manager career path.5
Continued Education for Your Plant Manager Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Plant Manager career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $171,607 compared to $66,491 for those without that type of degree.Plant Manager Career Path
Plant Manager
5 - 7Years of Experience
$118K - $192K /yrMost Likely Range
Senior Plant Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$140K - $225K /yrMost Likely Range
Lead Plant Manager
5 - 7Years of Experience
$154K - $250K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Plant Manager Career Path
Plant Manager I
Plant Manager
Senior Plant Manager
Lead Plant Manager
Director of Production
Senior Director of Production
Vice President of Manufacturing Production
Production Managing Director
$60K
$136K
$212K
$288K
$440K
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Related Careers in the Business Industry
Interested in other Business careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Plant Manager skills. Discover some of the most common Plant Manager career transitions, along with skills overlap.