Do You Need a Manager at Your Manufacturing Company

Hiring a manager is different from hiring other staff positions, and it is particularly important. Managers not only are harder to find, but also are harder to evaluate. Some manufacturing managers have tons of experience but lack true leadership skills. Others are the opposite — they’re great leaders but don’t have a great deal of experience within the industry. How can you tell if a candidate has the potential to be a great manager in your organization? Here are five key traits to look for.

Confidence

No manager should be overly nervous in an interview. Sure, they might be a little jittery, especially if they haven’t been in the job market in a while. But for the most part, managers should show confidence in their ability to present ideas. Furthermore, they should be exceedingly comfortable speaking about their skills, experience, and accomplishments within the manufacturing space.

Character

Managers can have all the experience in the world, but if they don’t have the character to match, they’ll have a hard time making a true impact within your organization. Someone with strong character will give you a sense of reassurance and trust right from the start. But don’t confuse confidence with arrogance or you could find yourself making the wrong hiring decisions.

Composure

Things can get hectic in a fast-paced work environment like a manufacturing floor. When everyone else is in a panic and frustrated, the manager is the one who should remain calm. In this position, you need someone who not only can keep their composure during stressful situations, but also can find solutions to problems at hand.

Conflict Resolution

In line with composure is conflict resolution. When everyone is sharing ideas and working toward common goals, there will be disagreements. This may be especially true among less-experienced staff whose may not have the maturity to balance emotions in the way that more-seasoned workers can. Managers must be able to mediate and resolve situations for themselves and others alike.

Customer Service

In the end, your customers matter most. When you have a manager who can communicate effectively with customers, it’s a huge advantage. You will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your company is represented well. Customer service often can require its fair share of conflict resolution, just like any level of management.

There is so much involved in hiring a manager for your manufacturing business. Contact us today, and we’ll gladly assist you with the logistical aspects of your prospective new hire.