You’re considering a career in Manufacturing Operations. What skills do you need to stand out?

3 Communication skills

Communication skills are crucial for manufacturing operations professionals, as they need to interact with different stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, managers, and workers. You need to be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and respectfully in various modes and situations, such as writing reports, giving presentations, conducting meetings, and providing feedback. You also need to be able to listen actively, understand different perspectives, and collaborate with others. Moreover, you need to be able to adapt your communication style and language to suit different audiences and contexts.

4 Leadership skills

Leadership skills are important for manufacturing operations professionals, as they need to lead and motivate teams, projects, and initiatives. You need to be able to set goals, plan strategies, assign tasks, monitor progress, and evaluate results. You also need to be able to inspire, empower, and support your team members, as well as deal with conflicts and challenges. Additionally, you need to be able to demonstrate integrity, accountability, and professionalism in your role and actions.

5 Continuous improvement skills

Continuous improvement skills are vital for manufacturing operations professionals, as they need to constantly seek ways to improve the performance and quality of the production process and output. You need to be able to identify opportunities, implement changes, measure outcomes, and make adjustments. You also need to be able to embrace change, innovation, and learning as part of your culture and mindset. Furthermore, you need to be able to apply various methodologies and tools for continuous improvement, such as lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?