Trade guide
Unit Manager
The job of unit manager is becoming a strategic pillar of French industry. This managerial role combines technical expertise and human leadership to optimise the performance of production units. Do you aspire to lead teams in a dynamic sector? This comprehensive guide explains the tasks, skills and training required to succeed in this demanding but rewarding career.
The business
What is a Unit Manager?
Its role
The Unit Manager manages the operational activity of a production or sales unit. You are responsible for the day-to-day management of the teams, optimising processes and achieving performance targets. Your mission: to unite employees around a common vision, while guaranteeing the quality and profitability of your business sector.
Its field of action
As a Unit Manager, you will work in a variety of industrial environments, from pharmaceutical plants to aeronautical sites. You will work closely with the maintenance, quality and logistics teams to ensure that production operations run smoothly.
Your remit extends from strategic planning to operational management. You will interact regularly with senior management, support departments and your counterparts in other units to coordinate activities and share best practice within the company.
The functions
What does a Unit Manager do?
Your daily professional life is punctuated by a variety of challenges combining management and industrial optimisation.
You manage production by defining output and quality targets
You manage operational teams by developing their skills
You optimise production processes to improve overall efficiency
You supervise the preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment
You manage your unit’s budget and control production costs
You ensure compliance with safety and quality standards
You analyse performance indicators and suggest areas for improvement
You coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth flows
Qualifications
Qualities and skills needed to be a good Unit Manager
Leadership and team management
Your ability to unite and motivate employees is the foundation of your success. You inspire confidence and develop the commitment of your teams in a demanding industrial environment.
Mastery of management tools
You are familiar with planning systems, performance indicators and quality control tools. This technical expertise enables you to continually optimise production processes.
Strategic vision and adaptability
You anticipate changes in the sector and adapt your unit to new challenges. Your sense of innovation helps you to identify opportunities for improvement and development.
The benefits
What are the advantages of being a Unit Manager?
This job offers you a direct impact on the company’s economic performance and the professional development of your employees. You will actively contribute to French industrial innovation in a sector that is constantly evolving technologically. The diversity of daily challenges will stimulate your expertise and enrich your managerial experience.
Your expertise will quickly become sought-after on the job market, giving you a great deal of autonomy in your career choices. Your career prospects will take you to plant manager, industrial production manager or strategic positions within international groups. This natural progression enhances the value of your career.
Remuneration
Unit Manager: salary and career development
The Unit Manager job offers attractive remuneration, which rises significantly with experience. At the start of your career, you can expect to earn 34,000 euros gross per year. After a few years’ experience, this salary rises to around €50,000, and up to €70,000 for experienced staff.
In addition, there are often significant benefits: company car, performance bonuses linked to the unit’s results, profit-sharing and reduced working hours. Your career prospects will take you towards plant management or strategic industrial management positions within major groups.
Up to
70 000 €
Salary per year
Training courses
How can I become a Unit Manager?
Our training courses
If you want to secure your place as a Unit Manager in a company, the ideal course is the right one at a good business school. INSEEC offers a number of excellent courses tailored to the requirements of the industrial sector and the expectations of recruiters in operational management.
For example, you can opt for
Discover
Other jobs that may interest you
INSEEC offers a wide range of programmes to help you train for your dream job.
All about
Our guides
Consult our guides to find out all you need to know about education, work-linked training and careers.
