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Continuous improvement leader vs line leader

The differences between continuous improvement leaders and line leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a continuous improvement leader and a line leader. Additionally, a continuous improvement leader has an average salary of $85,851, which is higher than the $36,217 average annual salary of a line leader.

The top three skills for a continuous improvement leader include lean six sigma, sigma and process improvement. The most important skills for a line leader are continuous improvement, customer service, and safety procedures.

Continuous improvement leader vs line leader overview

Continuous Improvement LeaderLine Leader
Yearly salary$85,851$36,217
Hourly rate$41.27$17.41
Growth rate6%-
Number of jobs35,627130,588
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a continuous improvement leader do?

A continuous improvement leader is an individual who is responsible for measuring and testing procedures to improve production efficiency in a company. Continuous improvement leaders must work closely with human resources employees or trainers so that they can develop a curriculum to bring hires to their peak efficiency quickly. They are required to improve processes and systems in the company as well as implement programs that have continuing long-term benefits. Continuous improvement leaders must also supervise and direct the work of staff members of the CI department.

What does a line leader do?

Production line leaders or production team leaders typically work in the manufacturing industry. These leaders undertake both mental and physical work, including filing reports and paperwork, helping in order completion, and managing production assembly lines. They physically contain construction materials to ensure correct handling. Also, they oversee the varying activities within the organization or department. Among their tasks include inventory control, data entry, and product quality.

Continuous improvement leader vs line leader salary

Continuous improvement leaders and line leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Continuous Improvement LeaderLine Leader
Average salary$85,851$36,217
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $115,000Between $23,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityFall River, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateWyomingMassachusetts
Best paying companyBungeMicrosoft
Best paying industryEnergyTechnology

Differences between continuous improvement leader and line leader education

There are a few differences between a continuous improvement leader and a line leader in terms of educational background:

Continuous Improvement LeaderLine Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityStanford University

Continuous improvement leader vs line leader demographics

Here are the differences between continuous improvement leaders' and line leaders' demographics:

Continuous Improvement LeaderLine Leader
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 74.8% Female, 25.2%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between continuous improvement leader and line leader duties and responsibilities

Continuous improvement leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage and conduct internal audits for ISO and Schlumberger CLMS procedures.
  • Design and implement a SharePoint base pre-production operational checklist application to automate documentation retrieval.
  • Mentor trainees on projects and assist through the DMAIC process.
  • Provide training on DMAIC and basic problem solving methodologies company wide.
  • Introduce the concepts of OEE and throughput time into the report.
  • Oversee the Jonesboro press site total preventative maintenance plan and member of multi site TPM steering team.
  • Show more

Line leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead Kaizen event to establish best practices for estimating methodology and reporting templates.
  • Manage and develop associates base on organizational and developmental needs/conduct monthly one-on-ones with each employee to provide guidance and leadership.
  • Gain knowledge of USDA, OSHA, HACCP, VPP, and ISO regulations and requirements within a manufacturing environment.
  • Walk with QA and USDA around floor to ensure are that all areas are up to standards and ready for production.
  • Used SMT to place capacitors onto PCB.
  • Develop and maintain a safe manufacturing environment by assuring compliance with OSHA and CFR applicable as company policies.
  • Show more

Continuous improvement leader vs line leader skills

Common continuous improvement leader skills
  • Lean Six Sigma, 13%
  • Sigma, 10%
  • Process Improvement, 8%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Common line leader skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
  • GMP, 4%

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