Production Managers Are Made Not Born, Aided By Business Courses

In our very capitalistic society, we swim in a vast sea of gadgets, trinkets and actually useful products. Now here's something to think about: the manufacturing, marketing and distribution on each and every one of those products is supervised by one person, a product manager.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these people plan the manufacturing of a product, including where the item will be created and how it will be sent around the country. This includes what kind of materials are used to make the item, as well as supervising a group of product designers who will ensure manufactured item is as easy as possible and still attractive to the consumer.

From there, they will utilize a small army of marketing personnel to determine an affordable yet profitable price point, make sure that demand outstrips supply any way possible, and anything else to engage regular profits for their employer. The will sit in on market research to determine their target market, supervise a communications team on deciding what media they will use to reach that market, and any kind of promotions that will entice not only the consumer, but retailers and distributors to stock that item.

As one can imagine, this is not a position for a kid straight out of college. Generally, a person interested in this profession will have spent several years in the work force, primarily in manufacturing, marketing and/or sales, or a similar position. They are not only comfortable being around the general public, but can also walk around a factory floor supervising those actually putting it all together.

Not that a higher education isn't required. Product managers can have a number of different possible degrees. They usually got their BS in anything from business administration to materials management to marketing and even engineering. Many do go on to get a masters degree, filling in skills they just couldn't cram into their four year degree. They often do this by working during the day time and then completing their post-grad program at night school or through an online college.

Currently, the United States employs slightly over 150,000 product managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the position should decline slightly over the next decade due to the nation's current predilection towards moving its factories overseas. To counter this, many product managers are also moving overseas, now forcing them to add language and cultural courses to their education process.

On the other hand, product managers do earn an income worthy of their senior positions. The average annual wage is $86,000 a year, and varies widely depending on the industry they are working in. Reflecting the current worldwide trends, a product manager in the information technology and healthcare industries tend to top the income level, at nearly $130,000 a year. The entire package also comes with a full benefits package, including profit sharing and other bonuses.

In all, while the current world market conditions bring its challenges, a product manager is still an exceptional occupation. Business courses will certainly play a role in moving up in a company. Even those who've been working for some time can find scholarships to help pay for their educational advancements.