Qualifications
There are technically no real requirements to becoming a music producer, but this is no piece of carrot cake. A lot of colleges have music production programs for bachelor's degrees, which allow you to learn recording industry law and ethics, sound editing techniques, digital audio software, and electronic music.
It may not be necessary, but learning at least two of these trades down pat is going to really make you look good when the other posers come around trying to (unsuccessfully) steal your thunder.
Other than that, you've got to be a people person. Network, network, network. Become the Chatty Cathy, the Talkative Tina, the Needy Nancy, the Cashing in Favors Fabio you need to be to get to the top.