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Jobs and careers in the manufacturing industry are converging towards IT. 

Experts say that businesses in the manufacturing industry today resemble tech businesses. As the sector leans into the myriad of digital tools available to improve operations and grow business, requirements for manpower and talent lean toward digital skills similar to careers in tech and ICT. 

(Also Read: Top 6 Challenges for Manufacturing in 2024)

Sustainability, cybersecurity, and offshoring are shaping industry manpower needs. Industries are also still feeling the aftershocks of the global pandemic, and this reverberates in how talent is being acquired. 

In an interview with MXDUSA, leading manpower expert Rebekah Kowalski said that, “The pandemic showed manufacturers they could stretech and yet be quite resilient in ways they didn’t know. And now they have to stretch even more. Manufacturers have to think about the acquisition of talent that supports the resiliency that leads to faster adoption of technologies that make them more competitive.” 

Data Annotator

An entry-level role responsible for grouping and labeling data to impove machine learning algorithms, it is a critical role because it involves many tasks involving the review and interpretation of data, as well as adding metadata and annotations that help AI make sense of patterns and churn out predictions. 

Core competencies required for the role: data visualization, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, time management, communication skills

Manufacturing Associate

Some of the duties of a manufacturing associate involve the organization of supplies and inventory, equipment preparation, and training new staff with production prep and operations. They plan the workflow on the production floor, oversee production lines, and supervise quality control. 

Core competencies: troubleshooting, collaboration, effective communication, problem-solving skills, adaptability

Materials Engineer

They work with raw materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramics. Their tasks involve designing, developing, processing, and testing these materials to make new products. 

Core competencies: failure analysis, data analysis, knowledge of physics and chemistry, CAD, quality standards, additive manufacturing knowledge

Cybersecurity Analyst

Manufacturing businesses take security very seriously and beefing up roles in cybersecurity ensures that digital systems are not vulnerable to attacks that may cause large shut-downs. The tasks of a cybersecurity analyst range from assessing and improving the organization’s security practices and systems, to monitoring security systems, scanning for vulnerabilities, and responding to incidents. 

Core competencies: attention to detail, proficiency in security systems and complex networks, incident response, risk management, programming, scripting

Production Manager

In manufacturing, a production manager is in charge of everything that takes place on the production floor. This includes coordination with several teams, maintaining quality control, creating and preparing a production schedule, overseeing production processes, and supervising production staff. 

Core competencies: highly organized, leadership, conflict resolution skills, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, knowledge of machine maintenance

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Developer

As manufacturing becomes more reliant on digital tools, AI tech, and machine learning, roles that meld manufacturing knowledge, business skills, and IT competence become more in demand. RPA development/engineering is gaining traction this year as a career option. The RPA developer is essentially a software team role that concentrates on designing software bots to perform routine business tasks and design automation solutions. 

Core competencies: coding, machine learning expertise, business analysis, analytics, communication, process mapping, testing and troubleshooting 

As one of the Top 20 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

We are ready to support your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner. 

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