Unsung Heroes of the Manufacturing Industry

Whenever a CEO announces a new product, my mind immediately thinks about the team that made it happen. After all, no product comes about as a solo effort. The heavy lifting is accomplished by a group of experts who rarely get recognized for their work.

There are plenty of unsung heroes in the workplace, many who silently work in the background, forever unknown to the end-user (until now). Were it not for their work, there would be no success. That’s why we’re shedding light on manufacturing, an exciting industry with immense opportunity for those with the right skillset.

Here are four jobs that are vital to the manufacturing process.

Human Resources Officer

Our first unsung hero of manufacturing is the human resources (HR) officer. HR is important in any industry, though not many professionals think about the manufacturing industry when considering their HR career. But the need is real, and the compensation reflects the demand.

HR officers are responsible for supporting company growth and overseeing operations and employee development. This is a demanding task when you’re dealing with workers across plants, or in different regions (or even different countries). Because there is a huge variance in the types of employees in manufacturing, HR officers must adapt and get creative with their solutions.

Electro-Mechanical Technician

There was a time when every car was built by hand. Now, nearly the entire process is handled by robots. But automation in manufacturing hasn’t decreased the need for manufacturing talent. Rather, it’s just moved the need for talent to new roles and functions. Now, more than ever, there’s a need for experts who can maintain, operate and repair electro-mechanical equipment.

Electro-mechanical technicians are vital in industrial positions, particularly in fields like manufacturing, energy, and aerospace.

Maintenance Manager

The right job environment is key to success. Anyone who’s ever worked anywhere knows how hard it is to get things done when a facility is disorganized and equipment faulty. A properly functioning work environment is vital to enhancing productivity.

A maintenance manager is typically responsible for overseeing the installation, repair, and upkeep of an employer's property. Not only does this include the premises, but also equipment, buildings, and facilities. Maintenance managers may also be asked to assume administrative responsibilities, such as budgeting costs, negotiating contracts and hiring new talent.

Information Technology Manager

The world has changed a lot over the last decade. Rapid innovations in technology have forever altered the way we do business. And the manufacturing industry isn’t immune to that change. There’s been a heavy influx of new technology being introduced into the industry. Developments like the Internet of Things (IoT) have provided solutions never thought possible. The IoT has boosted communication, interplant connectivity, response times and provided unprecedented amounts of data.

Its benefits are incredible, but unattainable, without the proper minds implementing and maintaining the technological infrastructure. That’s why information technology managers are vital to today’s manufacturing landscape. These players monitor the overall strategies and tech solutions and build complex systems to meet an organization’s manufacturing goals.

Are you looking for a new career path and feeling eager to apply your skills in an exciting and fast-changing industry? Check out our job board for great positions in manufacturing and other tech fields.