Competency requirements for managerial development in manufacturing, assembly, and/or material processing functions

Organizations that include a manufacturing, assembly and/or material processing (MAMP) functions have become increasingly complex, competitive, and dynamic. These organizations demand increased emphasis on recruiting, developing, and retaining management talent to gain a competitive edge. This paper uses a modified Delphi triangulation approach to identify and categorize first‐level MAMP management competencies perceived to be important by three critical stakeholder groups – an expert MAMP upper management panel, first‐level MAMP managers who have been employed between one to three years, and business management faculty members. The results identify 14 knowledge, skill, and value‐based competencies and three higher‐order factors as essential components within the MAMP management function. There was considerable consistency in the perceptions of the three groups in evaluating the importance of these competencies, with the exception that first‐level managers placed greater importance on technical skills for daily MAMP activities than upper management.