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Director of quality vs continuous improvement manager

The differences between directors of quality and continuous improvement 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 director of quality and a continuous improvement manager. Additionally, a director of quality has an average salary of $134,435, which is higher than the $99,644 average annual salary of a continuous improvement manager.

The top three skills for a director of quality include healthcare, quality improvement and patients. The most important skills for a continuous improvement manager are lean six sigma, sigma, and continuous improvement.

Director of quality vs continuous improvement manager overview

Director Of QualityContinuous Improvement Manager
Yearly salary$134,435$99,644
Hourly rate$64.63$47.91
Growth rate3%6%
Number of jobs65,443154,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4844
Years of experience66

What does a director of quality do?

In the manufacturing industry, a director of quality is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the daily operations in a quality assurance department. They work to ensure that products adhere to the company's quality standards and industry regulations by conducting research and assessments, developing quality test systems, and reviewing reports. As a director of quality, they have the authority to make significant decisions, establish protocols and guidelines, set objectives and timelines, and implement rules and policies, creating new ones as necessary.

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.

Director of quality vs continuous improvement manager salary

Directors of quality and continuous improvement managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of QualityContinuous Improvement Manager
Average salary$134,435$99,644
Salary rangeBetween $98,000 And $183,000Between $74,000 And $133,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew Jersey
Best paying companyGoogleGoogle
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between director of quality and continuous improvement manager education

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

Director Of QualityContinuous Improvement Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Director of quality vs continuous improvement manager demographics

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

Director Of QualityContinuous Improvement Manager
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between director of quality and continuous improvement manager duties and responsibilities

Director of quality example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage internal QMS audit and corrective and preventive action processes.
  • Manage the transition to a campus AS9100 certification for all major Aero sites.
  • Manage functional and system testing activities, API customization and RDMBS tools testing teams.
  • Lead teams from design concept and team feasibility commitment through product launch and PPAP.
  • Lead targeted staff training and development of CMS, AHCA, and DOEA guidelines and regulations.
  • Lead a team of engineers and operations personnel to introduce 6 new alpha products into mfg.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Director of quality vs continuous improvement manager skills

Common director of quality skills
  • Healthcare, 8%
  • Quality Improvement, 5%
  • Patients, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
Common continuous improvement manager skills
  • Lean Six Sigma, 10%
  • Sigma, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Kaizen Events, 4%

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