Career change as a foreman

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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• Construction inspector at a municipality

  Also: Technical staff member in the building authority

  With on-the-job training

  In the building authority or at a state-owned enterprise (Landesbetrieb), you oversee public construction projects, check invoices and supplementary claims and inspect roads, buildings or pipelines.

  What you bring:

  You know how a construction site runs and what matters in execution, safety and billing.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities and state-owned enterprises hire master craftspeople, site foremen and technicians as technical employees and train them in public procurement law and administration. Positions are advertised publicly, and the requirements differ by federal state and authority.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact
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• Technical property manager

  Also: Technical building manager

  With on-the-job training

  At housing companies or property management firms, you look after buildings technically, plan maintenance, award contracts and accept completed work.

  What you bring:

  You can assess the condition of a building, defects and renovation needs and know what trade work should cost.

  How to get there:

  Housing companies and property managers train experienced construction people in administration and tenancy law over a few weeks to months. As an employee, you do not need a permit of your own. If you become self-employed as a manager of residential property, you need a permit under § 34c of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours
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• Head of laundry services

  Also: Operations manager of a laundry

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In the management of a large laundry or textile service you plan staff and production, steer routes and quality, and look after major customers.

  What you bring:

  You know laundry cycles, textile care, hygiene requirements, and what hotels, clinics and homes expect from clean laundry.

  How to get there:

  The management of laundry services in clinics, homes or hotel groups is often taken over by experienced housekeeping managers, who get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in machines, washing processes and hygiene certification. For the operations management of a commercial large laundry, the way in usually leads through shift or production management, and depending on the business, a master qualification in the textile cleaning trade or in home economics, or a technician qualification, is then expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €4,062gross per monthMedian salary

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• Kitchen manager in institutional catering

  With on-the-job training

  As kitchen manager in homes, clinics, canteens or schools you plan menus and staff, order goods, and ensure compliance with hygiene regulations.

  What you bring:

  If you are also responsible for catering in a care or educational facility, you know menu planning, diets, hygiene rules and cost of goods.

  How to get there:

  Homes and communal kitchens often fill kitchen management positions with cooks, but also with master craftspeople in home economics or experienced housekeeping managers. On-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in kitchen technology and production processes usually takes a few weeks to a few months. Experience in commercial kitchens clearly improves your chances.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,913gross per monthMedian salary

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• Buyer for hotel and clinic supplies

  Also: Purchasing clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the purchasing department of a hotel group, a clinic network or a building service provider you negotiate with suppliers, put framework agreements out to tender, and monitor deliveries.

  What you bring:

  You order cleaning agents, laundry and consumables, compare quotes, and know which quality holds up in everyday use.

  How to get there:

  You switch to purchasing with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually lasting a few weeks to a few months. A commercial qualification is often expected. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Plant manager in production

  Also: Works manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a plant or works manager, you are responsible for a whole production area or site with budget, investments and staff and work closely with purchasing, sales and senior management.

  What you bring:

  You already lead teams, plan shifts and capacity and know the key metrics of your production.

  How to get there:

  You can take the upgrading course for certified technical business manager (Geprüfter Technischer Betriebswirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) alongside work. It is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), and the duration depends on the provider. You are admitted with a master craftsperson (Meister) or technician exam, as a certified technical senior specialist (Technischer Fachwirt) or as an engineer with two years of practice. Works management positions are usually only given after several years of leadership experience, and in large groups often also to university graduates.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,633gross 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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• State-certified construction technician

  Also: Cost estimator in a construction company

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a construction technician, you calculate bids, plan construction processes, prepare tenders and bill services.

  What you bring:

  You know construction processes, quantities and materials from running construction sites and know where cost estimating and planning fail in practice.

  How to get there:

  You can take the upgrading course to become a state-certified construction technician (staatlich geprüfte/r Bautechniker/in) at a technical college (Fachschule). It usually takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are generally admitted with a journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief) or skilled worker certificate (Facharbeiterbrief) and work experience, and the federal state regulates the details.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

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• Construction expert

  Also: Claims adjuster for building damage

  With further training

  As an expert or claims adjuster, you assess damage on site, determine causes and repair effort and write reports for insurers, owners or courts.

  What you bring:

  You spot workmanship errors, moisture damage and defects at a glance and know how they are repaired properly.

  How to get there:

  Insurers and claims service providers train experienced site foremen (Poliere) and master craftspeople (Meister) as adjusters over a few months. As an expert, you usually work after completing courses at chambers or training providers. You only become publicly appointed and sworn in after the chamber has verified your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people
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• Managing director of a construction business

  Also: Branch manager in a construction company

  With further trainingPromotion

  In the management of a construction business or a branch, you are responsible for orders, staff and profitability across many construction sites.

  What you bring:

  You lead work crews, manage deadlines and costs and stay in contact with clients and subcontractors.

  How to get there:

  To run your own business in a construction trade that requires a license, you need the master craftsperson certificate (Meisterbrief) or an equivalent entitlement. The upgrading course for certified business manager under the Crafts Code (Geprüfter Betriebswirt nach der Handwerksordnung) teaches business skills and usually takes 1 to 2 years alongside work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €8,555gross per monthMedian salary

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• Rooms division manager

  Also: Hotel manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As rooms division manager you are responsible for the front desk and housekeeping together, and in smaller hotels also for the whole hotel operation.

  What you bring:

  If you lead housekeeping in a hotel, you know room standards, staff planning, budgets and how closely you have to coordinate with the reception.

  How to get there:

  This is usually an internal promotion in larger hotels, often after some time at the front desk to get to know that area. As a qualification, the further training course for certified senior specialist in hospitality (Fachwirt im Gastgewerbe) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the technical college for the hotel and restaurant trade (state-certified business administrator, two years full-time) fit. Both can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You usually need a vocational qualification and work experience in hospitality.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically lightLots of contact with people
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• Head of building services

  Also: Head of economic and supply services, Head of facility management

  With further trainingPromotion

  As head of building or supply services you are responsible for several areas such as cleaning, laundry, catering and building technology, manage budgets, and put services out to tender.

  What you bring:

  You plan staff and cleaning processes, check quality, order material and work with service providers.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there after several years in property or housekeeping management and with part-time further training. Good options are, for example, the technical college for nutrition and supply management (state-certified business administrator, two years full-time, partly also alongside a job) or courses in facility management at chambers and private providers. Recognized further trainings can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Admission to the technical college is regulated by the state, usually requiring a vocational qualification and work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact
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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.