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Continuous improvement manager vs quality manager

The differences between continuous improvement managers and quality 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 continuous improvement manager and a quality manager. Additionally, a continuous improvement manager has an average salary of $99,644, which is higher than the $91,357 average annual salary of a quality manager.

The top three skills for a continuous improvement manager include lean six sigma, sigma and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a quality manager are continuous improvement, corrective action, and quality standards.

Continuous improvement manager vs quality manager overview

Continuous Improvement ManagerQuality Manager
Yearly salary$99,644$91,357
Hourly rate$47.91$43.92
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs154,46363,422
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4448
Years of experience66

What does a continuous improvement manager do?

A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.

What does a quality manager do?

A quality manager is an individual who is responsible for ensuring that the level of quality of the company's product outputs is met for customers. Quality managers monitor and evaluate the internal production process so that they can produce statistical reports on the standard of quality and communicate them to upper management. To ensure health and safety standards, quality managers must create and maintain up-to-date product or process specifications. They also train employees on quality assurance standards and processes.

Continuous improvement manager vs quality manager salary

Continuous improvement managers and quality managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Continuous Improvement ManagerQuality Manager
Average salary$99,644$91,357
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $133,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between continuous improvement manager and quality manager education

There are a few differences between a continuous improvement manager and a quality manager in terms of educational background:

Continuous Improvement ManagerQuality Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Continuous improvement manager vs quality manager demographics

Here are the differences between continuous improvement managers' and quality managers' demographics:

Continuous Improvement ManagerQuality Manager
Average age4448
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 72.1% Female, 27.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%8%

Differences between continuous improvement manager and quality manager duties and responsibilities

Continuous improvement manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead many CI workshops with Toyota consultants.
  • Manage all admission & billing submission processes for long term care patients.
  • Lead SMED event, reducing change over from 1 hour to 10 minutes.
  • Facilitate and lead CPI events with chosen teams, SMEs, stakeholders, and commanders.
  • Manage the factory and product work in progress to meet production goals using an MRP system.
  • Manage and report daily on the KPI tracker and report weekly to the director of the region.
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Quality manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve TS16949 accreditation during the year.
  • Plan and manage UAT test cycles with the business.
  • Manage six sigma projects concerning Sidematch claims savings $130K annually.
  • Manage drug product, API and component release for clinical and commercial.
  • Manage UAT testing, including consolidation and report out to management on test results.
  • Utilize ITAR knowledge and manage vital certifications and registrations (UL, CSA, military / aerospace).
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Continuous improvement manager vs quality manager skills

Common continuous improvement manager skills
  • Lean Six Sigma, 10%
  • Sigma, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Kaizen Events, 4%
Common quality manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Product Quality, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Quality Management System, 4%

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