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Business unit leader vs section manager

The differences between business unit leaders and section managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a business unit leader and a section manager. Additionally, a business unit leader has an average salary of $111,361, which is higher than the $95,857 average annual salary of a section manager.

The top three skills for a business unit leader include continuous improvement, quality standards and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a section manager are career development, project management, and DOD.

Business unit leader vs section manager overview

Business Unit LeaderSection Manager
Yearly salary$111,361$95,857
Hourly rate$53.54$46.09
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs88,824293,821
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

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 section manager do?

A section manager is responsible for supervising the overall production processes and operations of an organization. Section managers ensure that their designated sections run accurately and efficiently while following the highest standard protocols and internal regulations. They also identify opportunities to maximize the staff's productivity and perform quality control procedures that would enhance the current processes and fix any inconsistencies. A section manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to assist the staff and the business in achieving customer satisfaction.

Business unit leader vs section manager salary

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

Business Unit LeaderSection Manager
Average salary$111,361$95,857
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $191,000Between $63,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkRhode Island
Best paying companyGoldman SachsNVIDIA
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between business unit leader and section manager education

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

Business Unit LeaderSection Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business unit leader vs section manager demographics

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

Business Unit LeaderSection Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 81.1% Female, 18.9%Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit leader and section 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

Section manager example responsibilities.

  • Implement ISO quality procedures and lead internal audits
  • Coordinate and manage the security operations of combat convoys moving and transporting equipment to different locations across hostile areas.
  • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
  • Perform contract negotiations, vendor selection, product introduction, ISO quality adherence, cost reductions, and inventory balancing.
  • Perform ongoing research and analysis of internal business requirements and project logistics.
  • Plan and request signal logistics support for battalion level operations and maintenance.
  • Show more

Business unit leader vs section 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 section manager skills
  • Career Development, 9%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • DOD, 6%
  • Performance Reviews, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • RF, 4%

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