Post job

Business unit leader vs manufacturing manager

The differences between business unit leaders and manufacturing managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a business unit leader, becoming a manufacturing manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a business unit leader has an average salary of $111,361, which is higher than the $101,712 average annual salary of a manufacturing manager.

The top three skills for a business unit leader include continuous improvement, quality standards and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a manufacturing manager are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and production schedules.

Business unit leader vs manufacturing manager overview

Business Unit LeaderManufacturing Manager
Yearly salary$111,361$101,712
Hourly rate$53.54$48.90
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs88,82440,395
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4448
Years of experience62

What does a business unit leader do?

A Business Unit Leader manages growth initiatives such as future acquisition opportunities, strategic partnerships, and organic innovation. These professionals control strategy deployment to ensure operational productivity and economy. They offer this service to sites focusing on Human Resources, Information Technology, Lead Operation, Lean Accounting, Lead Process, Strategic Pricing, and more. Business Unit Leaders also lead by promoting talent management, counseling, team concepts, individual development, training, coaching, mentoring, and retaining. They develop and manage the business unit department budget and strategic plan.

What does a manufacturing manager do?

A manufacturing manager is an individual who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization's production process to ensure that all workers and departments meet the organization's productivity and efficiency standards. Manufacturing managers work under a department head and assist them in planning and directing an efficient equipment layout and material flow. They implement quality control programs that ensure finished products are in par with a certain standard. They also train manufacturing workers and monitor them to ensure that they meet performance and safety requirements.

Business unit leader vs manufacturing manager salary

Business unit leaders and manufacturing managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business Unit LeaderManufacturing Manager
Average salary$111,361$101,712
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $191,000Between $71,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyGoldman SachsBain & Company
Best paying industryManufacturingRetail

Differences between business unit leader and manufacturing manager education

There are a few differences between a business unit leader and a manufacturing manager in terms of educational background:

Business Unit LeaderManufacturing Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Business unit leader vs manufacturing manager demographics

Here are the differences between business unit leaders' and manufacturing managers' demographics:

Business Unit LeaderManufacturing Manager
Average age4448
Gender ratioMale, 81.1% Female, 18.9%Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%8%

Differences between business unit leader and manufacturing manager duties and responsibilities

Business unit leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop employee KPIs to assist in reaching monthly and annual gross profit goals.
  • Manage a team of four and hold matrix leadership responsibility for specialists assign to particular technical areas for business continuity projects.
  • Coordinate all KPIs and develop measurement tools of teams by line/shift.
  • Deliver meaningful fact-base guidance for visual analytics and data review to support decision making from patient safety and data review prospective.
  • Metal stamping, heading, screw machine, CNC, tapping, light press stamping and assembly work.
  • Utilize PDCA cycle to measure department goals.
  • Show more

Manufacturing manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead plant start up efforts by implementing TPM systems, training, tracking, course correction.
  • Manage a 3 shift 63 machinist , 15 mfg engineers, and 5 support CNC machining operations.
  • Manage cross-functional teams to derive root cause analysis and resolutions for deviations, investigations and CAPA's.
  • Manage tech transfers, DFM, suppliers and CMO on late stage & commercial drug-device combination products.
  • Manage all tissue valve production functions including QC inspection, machine shop, custom device and surgical accessories.
  • Utilize applicable decision making tools to consider assets, evaluate effectiveness and realign to achieve strategic goals and ROI.
  • Show more

Business unit leader vs manufacturing manager skills

Common business unit leader skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Safety Culture, 6%
  • World Class, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common manufacturing manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 10%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 4%
  • Production Supervisors, 4%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Project Management, 3%

Browse executive management jobs