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.
Business unit leader responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business unit leader resumes:
- 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.
- Implement OEE, FTT, efficiency, scrap, and production availability tracking system for the shop floor.
- Establish daily schedules to meet customer demand using JIT principles off a MRP report.
- Direct installation of new CNC equipment to increase productivity.
- Change agent in implementation of OEE performance measurement and improvement activities.
- Heighten overall quality of output by implementing QC procedures.
- Eliminate chronic customer rejections and complaints using rigorous QC systems.
- Establish MTI as a new competitor within the DOD test equipment industry.
- Contribute as part of a team to expand SQF certification at facility while completing annual re-certification.
Business unit leader skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Business Unit Leaders are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Quality Standards, and Lean Manufacturing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Management skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Business Unit Leaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 10%
Generated information boards to report metrics on business unit to management and staff identifying good performance and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Quality Standards, 6%
Gained improved financial position and broad flexibility through language modifications; consistently reached and surpassed corporate cost and quality standards.
- Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Utilized 5-S and Lean Manufacturing in the automobile manufacturing process Validate daily hours work through timekeeping for hourly workers
- Safety Culture, 6%
Led my team to creating a safety culture with zero accident and individual accountabilities.
- World Class, 5%
Coordinated daily team activities to achieve corporate KPI s, and implementing World Class Manufacturing tools and processes.
- Business Development, 4%
Led business development efforts for Greater Philadelphia region.
Most business unit leaders use their skills in "continuous improvement," "quality standards," and "lean manufacturing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential business unit leader responsibilities here:
Leadership skills. The most essential soft skill for a business unit leader to carry out their responsibilities is leadership skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Additionally, a business unit leader resume shows how their duties depend on leadership skills: "implemented oracle erp system as part of leadership team. "
Problem-solving skills. business unit leaders are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to business unit leader responsibilities, because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." A business unit leader resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "provided problem resolution with project managers to the mutual satisfaction and significant cost savings for both our clients and our company. "
Time-management skills. business unit leader responsibilities often require "time-management skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This resume example shows what business unit leaders do with time-management skills on a typical day: "launched new model transmission on time and in budget using world class manufacturing principles and tools. "
Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a business unit leader to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what business unit leaders relies on this skill, since "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." How this skill relates to business unit leader duties can be seen in an example from a business unit leader resume snippet: "provided team communication on company, plant, and department business plan objectives and performance. "
The three companies that hire the most business unit leaders are:
- CBRE Group21 business unit leaders jobs
- Gilbane Building Company9 business unit leaders jobs
- Huntington National Bank5 business unit leaders jobs
Compare different business unit leaders
Business unit leader vs. Performance manager
As the name entails, performance managers are responsible for maintaining and improving employee performance based on organizational objectives. Their job may vary depending on the industry they work in, but common duties include collecting and analyzing performance data, developing effective systems for information collection, and performing statistical performance analysis. Additional duties of a performance manager may include organizing and conducting training and development on best practices and resolving workplace barriers to performance.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between business unit leaders and performance manager. For instance, business unit leader responsibilities require skills such as "lean manufacturing," "safety culture," "world class," and "business plan." Whereas a performance manager is skilled in "performance management," "project management," "customer service," and "performance improvement." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Performance managers earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,053. On the other hand, business unit leaders are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $111,071.On average, performance managers reach similar levels of education than business unit leaders. Performance managers are 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Business unit leader vs. Group manager
Group Managers are employees who oversee a specific department, team, or any group in the company. They are usually tenured employees or industry experts. Group Managers oversee their team's performance and professional growth. They set clear, strategic goals for the team and create plans to reach these goals. They monitor the achievement of such goals and guide their team along the way. They also manage the team professionally. The coach team members train the employees if there are updates or new strategies and ensure that they remain engaged. They motivate their team to perform well and strive hard to reach group goals.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real business unit leader resumes. While business unit leader responsibilities can utilize skills like "excellent interpersonal," "lean manufacturing," "safety culture," and "world class," group managers use skills like "client facing," "project management," "customer service," and "client relationships."
On average, group managers earn a higher salary than business unit leaders. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, group managers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $135,074. Whereas business unit leaders have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $111,071.In general, group managers achieve similar levels of education than business unit leaders. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business unit leader vs. Continuous improvement manager
A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a business unit leader is likely to be skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "quality standards," "safety culture," and "world class," while a typical continuous improvement manager is skilled in "lean six sigma," "project management," "kaizen events," and "lean tools."
Continuous improvement managers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $95,413. Comparatively, business unit leaders have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $111,071.When it comes to education, continuous improvement managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to business unit leaders. In fact, they're 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Business unit leader vs. Senior operations manager
A senior operations manager oversees the business operations within a particular department or establishment, ensuring that all procedures adhere to the policies and standards of the company. There are also instances when they must evaluate workers' performances, set budget and sales targets, produce progress reports and assessments, and coordinate with high-ranking officials. Moreover, a senior operations manager leads by motivating the workforce and devising strategies to improve the workflow and reach sales targets within the deadline. Should there be any issues, they must carry out corrective measures right away.
Types of business unit leader
Updated January 8, 2025
