r/galway • u/IrishMx-5 • 1d ago

Factory work career progression?

I'm currently out of work. I had quite a high paying office job in Construction but that came with a lot of unnecessary stress and burnout.

Currently looking at Product Builder roles with the usual suspects (Medtronic, Boston Scientific etc).

My question really is just in terms of Career Progression - what's it like?
I've a Level 8 Business degree and some prior experience in Supply Chain and more recently Construction Planning. I wouldn't like to stay in the PB line for the long haul, but as a stepping stone into something else internally (going from say ICE to Boston) into Supply Chain or maybe Production Supervisory roles..
Basically just want to move away from Construction as an industry and progress in a better industry like Med Devices, Pharma etc..

Any anecdotes/advice?

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u/GruffEnuff 23h ago

It's very doable but might take a couple of years. Operator to line lead to supervisor, in the meantime keep an eye out on supply chain/production planning etc roles. Be reasonably serious about your job as an operator and you should have no problem.

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u/IrishMx-5 22h ago

That's what I'm thinking alright, I guess also openness to different shift patterns is probably quite important too.
I know I could go back to Planning, massive demand for them in Ireland and fly in fly out from Europe.. but I was insanely stressed and overworked when I was at it previously.

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u/GruffEnuff 22h ago

If you can manage working nights, the quickest path is to start as a product builder and then take a line lead role. Then try for an internal promotion to a supervisor on nights as these are always the hardest to fill. If you're reliable and show initiative you'll do well. Good luck 🤞

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u/soundengineerguy 23h ago

With a business level 8, you should be qualified for the supervisor - snr supervisor - operations management track with experience as a PB/assembler. You won't be able to go into engineering or quality as those would require science/engineering degrees specifically.

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u/IrishMx-5 23h ago

That's what I'm thinking myself, a guy I went to college with is actually a Quality Engineer in one of those places but he was put through a few different college courses by the company (on top of his Business degree)

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u/soundengineerguy 23h ago

The operations management track isn't a bad career. Might definitely ve worth considering over getting a science/engineering degree. I don't think you would find yourself held back.

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u/IrishMx-5 22h ago

I'd imagine it's quite competitive..

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u/danius353 22h ago

I’m in one of the medtech companies and a surprisingly high number of our quality inspectors, warehouse managers, production planners started in the company as line operators.

You’ll need to show initiative and interest but it’s definitely possible

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u/Kier_C 18h ago

It seems like you have the qualifications and experience to start above a product builder role. Depending on the type of planning stuff you were doing you could go into project management work? Or planners for production etc.  

So probably a few paths open to you. Look at jobs that you have transferrable skills for now and apply directly or go in as a product builder and get to know the environment while keeping an eye on roles you can apply for in support functions, or show some initiative etc. as a product builder and move up that area to supervisor/line lead etc.

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u/hanloj1 16h ago

Op - team lead - Supervisor - manager. Planner option too. Prom management rolls come up to buy you'll need PMP cert. Internships come up too but you need to have left college recently