Directors of manufacturing play a huge role in the production process. In addition to hiring and training new employees, they are also in charge of appointing supervisors. Directors of manufacturing are also responsible for high-quality standards in production processes while staying within budget. With all of this being said, applicants can expect a pretty thorough interview process.
Here is our favorite director of manufacturing interview questions below.
Get creative with these director of manufacturing interview questions:
1. Define Kanban and detail any relevant experience you have with it.
Kanban is a common scheduling system that advises manufacturers on the quantity to produce and improves any bottlenecks that may occur in a production system. In this case, directors of manufacturing should be well aware of Kanban and have experience implementing it.
2. Tell us about a time you implemented an improvement to a procedure. What was the impact of this change?
Great employees should constantly seek to improve and streamline current procedures. This open-ended question gives interviewees the opportunity to highlight crucial changes they have made at previous jobs, and then give direct examples as to how these changes benefited the manufacturing process. Did it save the company time and money? Did it solve a current bottleneck issue? This is one of our favorite director of manufacturing interview questions because it really allows each applicant to shine.
3. Define BOM.
This is one of the most basic terms for directors of manufacturing. A bill of materials, BOM, is a list of parts that are a part of a product’s assembly. If a candidate cannot explain this term immediately, consider this a huge red flag.
4. Are you familiar with Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a set of tools and techniques for business process improvement. Six Sigma greatly reduces the probability an error or defect will occur, making existing processes more efficient. A candidate should be able to give a thorough definition and examples of how they have used Six Sigma, or similar techniques, in previous management experiences.
5. Define batch production.
Batch production is a technique where components or goods are made in batches in order to ensure specific quality standards. Candidates should be able to distinguish batch production from mass production techniques. In addition, they should also understand the advantages and disadvantages of batch production to more efficiently serve the company.
6. What are examples of factory overhead?
Costs incurred during the production process are called factory overhead. However, factory overhead does not include direct labor and materials costs. Examples of overhead that the candidate can list are:
- Factory rent
- Utilities
- Equipment maintenance costs
- Production facility and equipment insurance
- Depreciation
- Property taxes of facility
While this is not an all-inclusive list, a successful applicant should be able to list numerous examples of factory overhead. This knowledge is especially important when considering the project budget and other expenses that effect project completion.
7. Tell me about a previous project you led. What were some of the obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
This question gives great insight on previous management experience as well as their problem-solving abilities. Ultimately, as a director of manufacturing, new problems and challenges arise daily. A candidate’s ability to think on their feet and solve these problems will play a huge role in their success at your company.
8. What factors do you consider when creating a production schedule? What tools may you use to create it?
An applicant should demonstrate that they consider all available factors before creating a production schedule. Although tools and methods may vary by each director, it is ultimately their explanation behind their methods that matters the most. Listen carefully to how your applicant responds to this question.
9. How do you define quality in a plant? What quality control processes have you implemented in the past?
Does the candidate have the same definition of quality as your company? How do they actively achieve the highest quality production processes? A candidate’s response to this question is a great indicator of future performance and role readiness.
10. How do you ensure the plant stays within budget?
Company budgets are a huge role in the profitability of any production facility. Candidates that do not prioritize production budgets can drastically put your company in the negative. Make sure your job seeker gives previous examples on how they reduced or stayed within budgets.
Prepare for your next candidate.
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