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Business unit manager vs multi-unit manager

The differences between business unit managers and multi-unit 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 manager and a multi-unit manager. Additionally, a business unit manager has an average salary of $122,782, which is higher than the $64,703 average annual salary of a multi-unit manager.

The top three skills for a business unit manager include continuous improvement, customer service and product line. The most important skills for a multi-unit manager are customer service, work ethic, and product knowledge.

Business unit manager vs multi-unit manager overview

Business Unit ManagerMulti-Unit Manager
Yearly salary$122,782$64,703
Hourly rate$59.03$31.11
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs295,151369,227
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a business unit manager do?

A business unit manager handles a unit or segment of the company. This unit may be a specialized team on specific projects or a part of a significant production process. The business unit manager ensures that the unit works efficiently and productively by implementing strategies and techniques that will enhance the productive output. A business unit manager also provides suggestions, offers solutions to problems, handles tasks delegation, planning production processes, and training and monitoring of employees in a unit.

What does a multi-unit manager do?

A multi-unit manager is responsible for supervising multiple departments and overseeing various process sectors within an organization. Multi-unit managers handle the budget limitations for each unit, allocating adequate resources to support business functions and client requirements. They recruit and train new staff, review compensation details with the human resources department, respond to employees' concerns, and facilitate training and programs that would maximize the staff's productivity and efficiency. A multi-unit manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in determining and achieving goals for the team and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction.

Business unit manager vs multi-unit manager salary

Business unit managers and multi-unit managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business Unit ManagerMulti-Unit Manager
Average salary$122,782$64,703
Salary rangeBetween $81,000 And $184,000Between $48,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityEast Providence, RIChicago, IL
Highest paying stateRhode IslandColorado
Best paying companyCitiAmerican Residential Services
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between business unit manager and multi-unit manager education

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

Business Unit ManagerMulti-Unit Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business unit manager vs multi-unit manager demographics

Here are the differences between business unit managers' and multi-unit managers' demographics:

Business Unit ManagerMulti-Unit Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 82.8% Female, 17.2%Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit manager and multi-unit manager duties and responsibilities

Business unit manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage capital investment of $250k refurbishment project in RBD department to begin the plant's first TPM program.
  • Manage a portfolio of inpatient and outpatient products market to major academic medical centers, community hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Maintain establishment's monthly bills including payroll, utilities, advertisement, and vending.
  • Review as-is business processes and deploy new processes, roles & responsibilities and KPI's.
  • Calculate and paid all payroll taxes, sales taxes, and alcohol taxes for the business.
  • Develop and implement new business processes, tools, KPI's and scorecards to drive both improvement and adoption.
  • Show more

Multi-unit manager example responsibilities.

  • Ensure completion of quarterly projections; and manage labor demon forecasting and payroll and talent acquisition efforts.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Maintain cleanliness of the kitchen, as well as the equipment on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
  • Perform human-resource-management activities involving unemployment insurance, benefits, payroll, and new-employee hiring.
  • Train assistant managers and employees in operations of the restaurant that exceed quality service and cleanliness expectations.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Show more

Business unit manager vs multi-unit manager skills

Common business unit manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Product Line, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • Financial Performance, 4%
Common multi-unit manager skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Work Ethic, 20%
  • Product Knowledge, 11%
  • Food Safety, 3%
  • Payroll, 3%
  • Restaurant Operations, 3%

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