Career change as a production manager

Career change paths

• Head of plant logistics

  Also: Head of materials management

  With on-the-job training

  In plant logistics or materials management, you lead goods receipt, warehouse and internal transport, steer stock levels and make sure the lines are supplied on time.

  What you bring:

  You know how material, deadlines and capacity are connected and what a supply shortage means for production.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies often fill such positions internally with managers from production and train them in warehouse management and the ERP system. Courses on logistics and materials management at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or training providers help you get in and can be done alongside work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,004gross per monthMedian salary

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• Work preparation planner (Arbeitsvorbereiter)

  Also: Production planner

  With on-the-job training

  In work planning or production planning, you create work plans and production orders, plan capacity in the ERP system and usually work without shift work (Schichtdienst).

  What you bring:

  You know the machines, setup times and bottlenecks of production precisely and can realistically judge what is feasible in what time.

  How to get there:

  Companies train experienced master craftspeople and shift supervisors in planning software and the ERP system for a few weeks to months. Courses on REFA methods or production planning at training providers are an advantage, but not mandatory.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,873gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical field sales representative

  Also: Sales representative for industrial supplies

  With on-the-job training

  In technical field sales, you advise industrial customers on tools, operating materials or plants, prepare offers and look after customers in the long term.

  What you bring:

  You know processes, machines and materials in production and understand the cost and time pressure that manufacturing companies are under.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and dealers train specialists from production with product and sales training over a few months. A class B driving license is usually expected. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed commercial agent you mostly work on commission only.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lean manager

  Also: Process optimizer in production

  With on-the-job training

  As a lean manager, you analyze processes with methods such as value stream analysis and the continuous improvement process, facilitate workshops and support changes through to implementation.

  What you bring:

  You know waste, waiting times and bottlenecks in production from your own experience and have improved processes yourself.

  How to get there:

  Larger industrial companies often use experienced master craftspeople for this and send them to courses on lean management or Six Sigma, which usually take a few days to a few weeks. Some job ads require a degree; in that case, provable improvements from your company help as evidence of your experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,917gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality technician

  Also: Quality management officer

  With on-the-job training

  In quality assurance, you plan inspections, evaluate errors and complaints, support audits and maintain the quality management system in line with standards such as ISO 9001.

  What you bring:

  You know where errors arise in production, how test plans work in everyday practice and how to eliminate deviations with the team.

  How to get there:

  Companies also move master craftspeople from production into quality assurance and train them there. Courses for quality management officer at training providers usually take a few days to a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,017gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical managing director

  Also: Managing director of a manufacturing company

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As technical managing director, you are also responsible for investments, strategy and the results of a plant or company.

  What you bring:

  You know production, costs, quality and people management very well and have been responsible for large teams.

  How to get there:

  You usually make this move in your own company, at a subsidiary or at a medium-sized business. You can deepen your knowledge of finance, controlling and law in management courses.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €8,555gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality manager

  Also: Project manager

  With on-the-job training

  As a quality or project manager, you look after management systems or projects such as plant relocations and production ramp-ups, without direct responsibility for running shift operations.

  What you bring:

  You know standards, audits, complaints and improvement processes from production.

  How to get there:

  With production experience, you can apply directly. Courses in quality or project management at chambers, TÜV or trade associations usually take a few days to a few weeks. For audit tasks, some companies expect such a certificate.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,850gross per monthMedian salary

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• Expert appraiser for machinery and equipment

  Also: Insurance assessor for machinery damage

  With on-the-job training

  As an expert appraiser, you value machines and equipment for banks, leasing companies and insolvency administrators, or establish the cause and extent of damage for insurers.

  What you bring:

  You know production equipment, its condition and its weak points, and you can explain technical connections clearly.

  How to get there:

  Expert appraiser offices and insurers train experienced technicians and engineers on the job, and chambers and training providers offer courses on writing expert reports. You only become publicly appointed and sworn in (öffentlich bestellt und vereidigt) after the chamber has examined your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €6,614gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical sales advisor

  Also: Key account manager for industrial customers

  With on-the-job training

  In technical sales, you advise customers on selecting equipment, tools or components and support projects through to commissioning.

  What you bring:

  You know from your own experience what production companies expect from machines, equipment and suppliers, and where everyday problems arise.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and suppliers give experienced production people product training over a few weeks to a few months. Expect a lot of travel and sales targets.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Energy manager

  Also: Energy officer

  With on-the-job training

  As an energy manager, you record consumption, plan savings measures, look after an energy management system and prepare audits.

  What you bring:

  You know the big energy consumers in manufacturing, such as compressed air, heat, cooling and drives, and you know where processes can be changed.

  How to get there:

  Companies often give this task to experienced technicians and engineers from within. Courses in energy management at chambers or TÜV usually take a few weeks. Knowing the ISO 50001 standard and funding programs for efficiency measures is important.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,470gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  With further training

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, prepare risk assessments (Gefährdungsbeurteilungen), investigate accidents and train employees.

  What you bring:

  You know accident hazards at machines, in internal transport and in handling hazardous substances and know how to enforce protective rules in everyday shift work.

  How to get there:

  With a master craftsperson (Meister) or technician exam and subsequent work experience, you generally meet the requirements. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist at a statutory accident insurance body or recognized training provider. It runs alongside work in several stages with classroom and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer in industry

  Also: Head of a training workshop

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer, you look after apprentices in the training workshop and in production, plan the training according to the framework plan and prepare them for exams.

  What you bring:

  You know production, quality assurance and work organization from practice and have experience guiding employees.

  How to get there:

  As a certified industrial foreman (Industriemeister), you have usually already proven the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung). Otherwise you prove it in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. Full-time trainer positions exist, for example, in larger industrial companies and training centers.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Ordinance on Trainer Aptitude (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist

  Also: Safety engineer

  With further training

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, assess hazards, plan protective measures and investigate accidents, either as an employee of a company or at an inter-company service.

  What you bring:

  You know machines, hazardous substances and accident risks in manufacturing, and as a manager you have taken care of occupational safety in your area.

  How to get there:

  You need an engineering, technician or master craftsperson (Meister) qualification plus work experience. Training as an occupational safety specialist under the requirements of the statutory accident insurance bodies usually takes one to two years alongside work. With an engineering degree, you then work as a safety engineer.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,574gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.