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Department lead vs store leader

The differences between department leads and store leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a department lead and a store leader. Additionally, a department lead has an average salary of $42,113, which is higher than the $36,979 average annual salary of a store leader.

The top three skills for a department lead include cleanliness, safety procedures and customer service. The most important skills for a store leader are POS, sales floor, and product knowledge.

Department lead vs store leader overview

Department LeadStore Leader
Yearly salary$42,113$36,979
Hourly rate$20.25$17.78
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs204,534363,806
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a department lead do?

A department lead's responsibilities will vary in an organization or company. It will, most of the time, revolve around overseeing the progress of work in a particular area and evaluating department staff's performance. Other responsibilities include setting goals and implementing the company's policies and guidelines. They may also carry out administrative tasks such as approving and signing paperwork, producing reports and presentations, and crafting guidelines and strategies to help reach goals. Furthermore, as a department head, it is important to encourage staff and shape them into valuable company members.

What does a store leader do?

Store Leaders are employees in a company's retail outlet. They manage everything related to the store. Store leaders manage the store's employees. They are directly involved in hiring, training, and even firing employees. Store Leaders oversee the store's performance. They ensure that the store does well. They also ensure that the store's sales meet the company's target. Store Leaders also manage the inventory. They create purchase requisitions for items that are low in stock. Store Leaders are also in charge of preparing store-related reports. These reports will be presented to the company's management team. Store leaders analyze the data they gather and ensure that their analysis is sound.

Department lead vs store leader salary

Department leads and store leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Department LeadStore Leader
Average salary$42,113$36,979
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $79,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityNew Haven, CTBoston, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyTufts Medical CenterMicrosoft
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between department lead and store leader education

There are a few differences between a department lead and a store leader in terms of educational background:

Department LeadStore Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Department lead vs store leader demographics

Here are the differences between department leads' and store leaders' demographics:

Department LeadStore Leader
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 54.7% Female, 45.3%Male, 46.5% Female, 53.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between department lead and store leader duties and responsibilities

Department lead example responsibilities.

  • Implement inventory management system to effectively manage on-hands, assist with correct replenishment and maintain an acceptable level of over-stock.
  • Operate POS system, and receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debit.
  • Oversee the completion of all POS transactions, maintain cash office records and assistant in training of all new cashiers.
  • Conduct geotechnical and geological investigations and mineral resource evaluations for commercial, industrial and governmental clients using the above-mentioned drilling techniques.
  • Develop unique SQL, cloudbase, and ADHOC telephony query techniques resulting in the identification of previously undiscovered nefarious networks.

Store leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead peers in troubleshooting replenishment processes and achieving KPI improvements.
  • Achieve YTD payroll by $15,250 FY 2013.
  • Partner with STL (store team leader) to increase sales, manage margins and review annual budget.
  • Achieve the number one spot in the district for YTD payroll, RedCard conversion, and improvements on gross margin.
  • Assist store leadership in effectively leading, managing and developing store and/or department operations and associates to maximize sales and profitability.
  • Engage and assist customers directly and over the phone; utilize POS machines and work customer service desk as needed.
  • Show more

Department lead vs store leader skills

Common department lead skills
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Safety Procedures, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Store Management, 8%
  • Inventory Management, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 6%
Common store leader skills
  • POS, 12%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Excellent Guest, 5%
  • Bank Deposits, 5%
  • Employee Development, 5%