Industrial Jobs Key Terms

Learn more about different industrial jobs

By Michelle Cramer

Factories are a crucial part of the economy since they are the means of product manufacturing. Even those that primarily consist of machinery-run operations still need human management and supervision. There are, therefore, several positions within industrial manufacturing that you need to examine. This article can point you in the right direction, whether you are looking to start a facility for the manufacturing of a product and need to know what positions to fill or you're looking to start a career in manufacturing.

Production manager

An industrial production manager oversees the manufacturing of a product for a company. Most importantly, they determine the production schedule to ensure on-time delivery of quotas with quality products. This includes worker schedules, assigning workers to the machinery with which they are most efficient, and ensuring that employees abide by all production standards and regulations.
Try: Visit Career Overview for more details about an industrial production manager's duties and required training.

Welder

A welder joins metals together with the use of extreme heat. Manufacturing industries that produce items such as automobiles, ships, buildings and bridges (to name a few) will likely use a welder throughout much of the manufacturing or building process, especially with regard to the framework.
Try: There are several different processes of welding. More information is available on Degree Source.

Miller

A miller is responsible for using machinery that crushes and mixes rough materials, such as limestone or iron ore. Millers also manage conveyor systems to make sure nothing goes wrong and that production in on time. Most millers work within the concrete or cement manufacturing industry.
Try: Learn more about a miller's responsibilities on Career Planner.

Industrial maintenance

The industrial and manufacturing industry, undoubtedly, requires the use of machinery to provide the best quality products, and machines constantly need adjustments, cleaning, preventative maintenance or repairs. Industrial maintenance workers are responsible for taking care of factory machinery, in the hopes of avoiding any slow-down or hang-up in the manufacturing process.
Try: Access State University for more information on industrial machinery maintenance workers.

Manufacturing engineer

Manufacturing engineers design the manufacturing process for a particular product or product line, including the policies and paperwork that go along with it. They make adjustments when they see a need for an improvement in the production process or the product.
Try: The Job Descriptions Help Site provides more information on the tasks of a manufacturing engineer.

Plant manager

The plant manager (or factory manager) oversees all of the processes within the factory. Typically the plant manager reports to the division vice-president, giving the factory manager a leadership position over all other factory employees. This also means that it is ultimately the plant manager's fault if there's a compromise in plant safety, a glitch in product manufacturing or a failure to comply with plant policies.
Try: Discover more about the skill requirements and responsibilities for a plant manager on hrVillage.