Can a Lower-Grade Staff Member Effectively Take on the Role of Factory Manager?

Does an employee who is designated as the factory manager have to be in a managerial cadre, or can a staff member in a lower grade be assigned the responsibility of factory manager? I would appreciate some views on this.

Hi, Companies assign designations based on an employee's qualifications, area of expertise, or work experience. The designation conveys an individual's role and position to other employees within an organization and to third parties. When a senior employee or manager engages with people outside the organization, their designation gives them credibility. Designations can influence opinions and help employees win clients and customers for an organization. Grades/designations are very important to get things done from subordinates. Cadres/grades are company-specific.

In many companies, there might be a senior employee who has been working in a supervisory role for a long time, even though they deserve a promotion. Due to a lack of requirements or internal politics, it doesn't mean that the employee is incapable. If the employee possesses the right skills, technical knowledge, and is good in management skills, then he/she deserves the position.

Nomination of Factory Manager Under the Factories Act of 1948

As per the Factories Act of 1948, the Factory Manager is to be nominated by the Occupier according to their choice. While the Act specifies who the Occupier should be (the person in ultimate control over the affairs) and empowers the Factory Inspector to verify the real person holding that role, the provision concerning the Factory Manager does not have such a qualification. Therefore, the Occupier can designate any person, including a staff member, as the Factory Manager.

Considerations for Choosing a Factory Manager

Since the Factory Manager is responsible for coordinating and liaising with external agencies, it is advisable that a person with sufficient standing in the administrative hierarchy is nominated for this role.

Not necessarily, any employee can be nominated for the position of Factory Manager. A factory manager is above all the managerial cadre employees but below the occupier. A professionally sound person with knowledge in factory processes should be declared Factory Manager by the owner.

It is the sole responsibility of the Occupier to appoint the factory manager with sound knowledge and experience to control routine activities. This will be beneficial as it creates confidence among the employees and values administrative control. The Occupier can appoint any employee as the factory manager without any specific criteria for appointment.

Yes, there is no academic or other qualification prescribed under the Factories Act.

Practical Case Study

We shall consider a practical case. A factory is to be registered as a factory when 10 or more workmen are employed and power is used for manufacturing. The occupier is satisfied with the work done by the 10 or 12 workmen and employs one supervisor to guide, help, or attend to small issues encountered. He is also nominated as the Factory Manager under The Factories Act. There is nothing wrong.