Production Manager (Manufacturing)
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
People employed
34,800
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the production activities of a manufacturing operation including physical, technological and human resources.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Plans and develops manufacturing production or operational strategies, systems, processes, objectives and policies
- Directs and supervises manufacturing operations by monitoring and coordinating production schedules and resources
- Controls the operation of manufacturing plants or procedures through the planning of maintenance, designation of operating hours, and supply of parts and tools
- Analyses production data on logistics, cost, margins, production lead time and personnel
- Identifies areas for improvement and implements quality control procedures
- Liaises with internal and external stakeholders, and works alongside senior management to establish budgets and targets
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
9%
Female rate
17%
Median age
46
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+9%
5,604 projected jobs
to 2035
+17%
10,452 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Meat Processing
Occupation ready
Advanced Diploma of Meat Processing
Occupation ready
Diploma of Production Management
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Process Manufacturing
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Process Manufacturing
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Process Manufacturing
Progression pathway
Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Progression pathway
Diploma of Manufacturing Technology
Progression pathway
Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts Business Management
Specialised training
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
265
ACT · May 2026
24
VIC · May 2026
290
NT · May 2026
25
SA · May 2026
69
NSW · May 2026
364
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Production Manager (Manufacturing).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - South East
2,830 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - South East
2,830 employed
VIC
-0.04%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
2,451 employed
VIC
-4.96%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South West
2,357 employed
WA
+4.48%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - Outer East
2,080 employed
VIC
+8.28%
year on year
- 5
Perth - South East
1,980 employed
WA
+14.72%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
11,040
Moved in from another occupation
1,340
Moved to another occupation
925
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 132232
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List matched via ABS OSCA 2024 v1.0 correspondence Table 2
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: official-profile-and-csol.