Curious About Career Paths in Garment Manufacturing? Insights for Freshers Without Engineering Backgrounds

Career Growth in the Garment Manufacturing Industry

I have a query, please reply back with your answers. I wanted to know a few things about the garment manufacturing industry:

• If a fresher joins a manufacturing unit without having any engineering background and joins from a management perspective, what will be his/her career growth path, and what can be his/her salary earning path too?

• What should be the required skill set for the same to develop his/her first year of career knowledge?

Please suggest with your valuable answers, and let me know if there is any other information you need to provide a proper answer. Waiting for your response.

Regards,
Shalini

Hi Shalini! Can you please tell me about the positions available and the qualifications required? There are numerous opportunities in the garments industry for non-engineers, such as Merchandisers, HR professionals, Admin roles, Personnel Department positions, Production staff, Quality control, and more.

Career Path in Garment Manufacturing Industry

My qualification is an MBA. The position is not clear, but I am currently handling production to packaging work, aiming to manage the entire process and facilitate improvements. I am unsure about the specific term for this role in the garment manufacturing industry and how a fresher can pursue a successful career in this field. I would appreciate insights into the career path and salary growth prospects available in this industry.

I am eagerly awaiting your response.

Regards,
Shalini

I am not dealing with any outside customers like what a merchandiser does. I am totally involved in the Factory site where all production, from manufacturing to packaging, takes place. Could you also inform me about the potential career growth path and positions for a production coordinator, as well as the salary range available in the market for this position?

Regards,
Shalini

Even in the production side, there are better career prospects. One thing you should keep in mind is, especially in the garments industry, you should be bold enough as well as very cautious because you will be coordinating with many illiterate individuals, some with very little education, and a few educated employees. Additionally, there is a significant amount of politics, which is prevalent in all industries but especially prominent in the garment industry.

If you are in production, you should always adhere to deadlines such as shipment dates and should not be concerned about working late nights. If you need more details, you can reach out to me.
Regards.

Career Progression in a Garment Factory

Career progression can occur in any organization according to that company's policy. Does this garment factory have such a policy? Is there an organizational chart to design a career path?

A fresher can be an MBA in Marketing and Finance and still manage a shop floor in a garment factory. However, they need to put in a lot of effort to understand how the various manufacturing stages operate. In interfacing with the workforce, if they have technically qualified supervisors reporting to them, their job would be easier. If they are directly in charge, they must learn the manufacturing steps as an engineer would. Certainly, it's a big challenge but not impossible.

As you may be aware, IAS officers move from one field to another totally different field with very little time to gain insight into the nuances of the new field. Many are still successful.

So, the incumbent has to first prove their mettle in their present job, at least for a year or two. If the company policy permits, they can switch back to their parent discipline of Finance or Marketing. The experience gained on the shop floor will stand them in good stead. If they continue in the same manufacturing role, then they may have to compete with their peers.

By the way, what would be the next position, and who would be their peers?

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

With reference to your question, the next position is not clear. Peers include shop floor supervisors, packaging workers, and those responsible for maintaining inward and outward processes.

Could you please provide information on the typical hierarchy in the garment industry for advancement and also details regarding the salary range based on market rates?

Regards,
Shalini