Introduction
The production manager is the person who coordinates all elements of the plant so that they function as a coherent system. Their tasks include planning and organizing processes, optimizing them, and improving them. They ensure that production runs smoothly, both in terms of organization and personnel, and that every order is completed on time, in accordance with quality and financial requirements.
He is also responsible for the machine park, analyzing reports, and responding to deviations from plans. The decisions he makes have a direct impact on the company's results and its further development. At the same time, this role requires communication skills – maintaining relationships with customers and strategic partners.
The problem is that in many plants, directors have to operate on the basis of incomplete, delayed, or inconsistent data. Manual reports, scattered systems, and a lack of integration mean that some decisions are made more on intuition than on facts. This increases the risk of errors and makes it difficult to plan for the future of the company.
1. Challenges of everyday work
The scope of responsibilities of a production director is very broad. It includes not only team management, but also quality control, cost supervision, occupational safety, and the implementation of the company's strategic goals. In practice, this means having to perform many roles at once – from people manager to analyst and negotiator.
In the area of teams, it is crucial to maintain motivation and develop employee competencies, especially in conditions of a shortage of qualified staff. In processes, the most important factors are precise schedules, cost control, and the implementation of innovations that improve efficiency and quality. The director must also ensure health and safety standards and occupational safety, while running the plant in line with the long-term strategy.
Such a high level of responsibility requires access to consistent and up-to-date information. Without a single source of data, it is difficult to respond effectively to unforeseen events and make decisions that strengthen the plant's development.
2. Ad hoc methods used in plants
Daily decisions on the shop floor are often made under conditions of uncertainty. Data arrives late, is scattered across different systems, and compiling it all together requires additional time. As a result, managers use tools that allow them to maintain current operations, but do not eliminate the root causes of the problems.
- Excel reports – prepared manually, time-consuming, and prone to errors.
- Meetings and phone calls – help exchange information but do not solve the problem of delays.
- Proprietary IT solutions – often uncoordinated and difficult to integrate with other systems.
- Reporting failures on paper or by phone – the lack of formal registration makes it difficult to analyze the causes and prevent further problems.
- These practices allow you to respond on an ongoing basis, but do not provide a solid foundation for building competitive advantage and planning development.
3. Why traditional approaches fail
Ad hoc tools have their advantages, but their limitations are significant. Manual reports slow down the flow of information, different departments use inconsistent indicators, and the lack of integration means that management does not have a uniform picture of the situation.
As a result, strategic decisions are made based on fragmentary data, and the production manager, despite their experience, operates in conditions of uncertainty. This leads to delays, increased costs, and difficulties in predicting risks.
4. What production managers need
To meet the challenges of modern production, managers need a system that integrates all data in one place and presents it in real time. It is essential that the information is consistent, easily comparable, and accessible to different departments.
Such a system should automatically generate OEE and KPI reports, support the analysis of downtime and loss causes, and integrate with ERP, SCADA, warehouse, and UR systems. Forecasting functions and tools to support strategic decision-making are also essential.
Only then can the production manager manage the plant based on facts rather than guesswork.
Summary
The production manager is a key figure in the company—the efficiency of processes, the quality of products, and the implementation of the company's strategy depend on their decisions. The biggest challenge today remains the lack of consistent and up-to-date data that would enable quick response and future planning.
That is why at AndonCloud we meet these needs. Our system integrates processes and provides real-time data, allowing managers to view the plant as a whole. This enables them not only to respond to current events, but also to anticipate risks and consciously develop the company.
