To become a production coordinator, background and experience in either a production or manufacturing environment is highly preferred. A position in these areas provides exposure to how essential organizational expertise is to production coordination. A proven track record in coordinating projects or activities between two or more manufacturing departments to facilitate production is a highly desirable qualification to become a production coordinator.
Successful interdepartmental communications are also important to become a production coordinator. Every project handled by a person in this position requires connecting with key personnel and synchronizing duties to accomplish a common goal. This requires dealing with a wide range of personality types and ensuring they work well together to make the project successful. The ability to recognize and resolve conflicts at all stages of projects is an important attribute for a production coordinator.
Other duties of a production coordinator involve behind the scenes activities that are as essential as managing and supervising people. These include reviewing contracts, planning material requirements, effectively scheduling project phases, and identifying special customer requests. Working on a daily basis with department heads is a regular function of a production coordinator.
Since a production coordinator is involved in so many project phases for distinctly different departments, general knowledge of a wide range of computer software applications and programs is strongly preferred. These include word processing, spreadsheet, project management, visual presentation, and cost/manpower estimating software programs. Regular and clear communications with vendors, contractors, and customers are necessary, so familiarity with email, instant messaging, and web conferencing applications is desirable.
As projects progress, the production coordinator is expected to anticipate and address challenges along the way. Proposed completion dates must be tracked and adjusted as necessary, and progress reports from all involved department supervisors need to be reviewed for compliance. The production coordinator is responsible for preparing reports on the status of all departmental progress to inform all parties of delays or anticipated glitches in meeting deadlines.
Meetings with customers, suppliers, vendors, or contractors may be necessary as production progresses. Good organizational skills are key to become a production coordinator, as you are expected to anticipate and plan these meetings, ensuring that the proper parties are in attendance and prepared to answer inquiries regarding the project. If extraneous information is required by the customer or upper management, the production coordinator is expected to provide it.
Direct experience in production coordination can be difficult to obtain. If this is the case, you may find that a job as assistant production coordinator is a stepping stone to become a production coordinator. Contact the human resources department of your preferred companies, which can reveal other positions that could lead to a position as production coordinator.
