Post job

Business unit manager vs zone manager

The differences between business unit managers and zone 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 zone manager. Additionally, a business unit manager has an average salary of $122,782, which is higher than the $50,974 average annual salary of a zone manager.

The top three skills for a business unit manager include continuous improvement, customer service and product line. The most important skills for a zone manager are work ethic, loss prevention, and inventory control.

Business unit manager vs zone manager overview

Business Unit ManagerZone Manager
Yearly salary$122,782$50,974
Hourly rate$59.03$24.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs295,151298,152
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
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 zone manager do?

The duties of a zone manager depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In general, they are in charge of overseeing the service and product distribution operations of a company. They typically coordinate with regional managers, establish guidelines and product roadmaps, gather and analyze data from their area of assignment, perform research and analysis, conduct sales assessments, and implement solutions to optimize operations. Moreover, a zone manager must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

Business unit manager vs zone manager salary

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

Business Unit ManagerZone Manager
Average salary$122,782$50,974
Salary rangeBetween $81,000 And $184,000Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityEast Providence, RIBoston, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyCitiFord Motor
Best paying industryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between business unit manager and zone manager education

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

Business Unit ManagerZone Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business unit manager vs zone manager demographics

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

Business Unit ManagerZone Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 82.8% Female, 17.2%Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business unit manager and zone 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

Zone manager example responsibilities.

  • Level one the managed distribution side that provides DSD to independent pet stores and veterinary clinics.
  • Market growth accomplish by executing fundamental basics in store and leveraging the strength of the DSD model.
  • Establish productive working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies, reorganize and improve operation, and achieve OSHA compliance.
  • Spearhead of new training program after recognizing inadequate materials on POS systems.
  • Supervise apparel area including jewelry and shoe departments in preparation to becoming an assistant manager.
  • Used company policies and procedures, as well as incorporating creativity to merchandise apparel departments.
  • Show more

Business unit manager vs zone 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 zone manager skills
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Loss Prevention, 12%
  • Inventory Control, 8%
  • Merchandise Displays, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Customer Complaints, 4%

Browse executive management jobs