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.
Line leader responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real line leader resumes:
- 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.
- Train any new temps to line positions and make sure they are made aware of GMP'S and safety issues.
- Understand company policies to workers and force workers to follow safety, GMP, food safety and follow OSHA regulations.
- Pull parts from inventory according to BOM for kits in all areas of production using power pallet jacks and stockpickers.
- Support safety program to improve safety behavior and avoid incidents and possible accidents which can affect down time hours in OSHA.
- Programme and troubleshoot devices rolling installation.
- Operate computer base machinery that labele batteries under QA specifications.
- Handle all source product cleanliness issues to elevate internal cleaning capabilities.
- Perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving equipment.
- Manage and develop associates base on organizational and developmental needs/conduct monthly one-on-ones with each employee to provide guidance and leadership.
Line leader skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Line Leaders are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Customer Service, and Safety Procedures.
We break down the percentage of Line Leaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 9%
Drive continuous improvements in production, quality, and safety by developing strategic plans and leading assembly/test operations.
- Customer Service, 9%
Provided extensive customer service including research and resolution for all internal and external customers, vendors and employees2.
- Safety Procedures, 8%
Trained new employees on production and safety procedures achieving significant improvements.
- Quality Checks, 6%
Perform quality checks regularly to ensure delivery of high quality products
- Assembly Line, 5%
Managed quality communication, and assisted with supervision of assembly line to insure product quality and on time delivery.
- GMP, 4%
Train any new temps to line positions and make sure they were made aware of GMP'S and safety issues.
"continuous improvement," "customer service," and "safety procedures" are among the most common skills that line leaders use at work. You can find even more line leader responsibilities below, including:
The three companies that hire the most line leaders are:
- TPI25 line leaders jobs
- Hearth & Home Technologies20 line leaders jobs
- Microsoft18 line leaders jobs
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Line leader vs. 3rd shift supervisor
A 3rd shift supervisor is responsible for monitoring the operations and staff performance of a specific shift. 3rd shift supervisors strategize on effective business techniques to maximize staff's productivity and improve customers' experience. They also analyze sales reports, resolve discrepancies, and identify business opportunities that would generate more resources for revenues and increase the company's profitability. A 3rd shift supervisor addresses customers' inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving their complaints about services timely and accurately.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between line leaders and 3rd shift supervisor. For instance, line leader responsibilities require skills such as "assembly line," "iso," "preventative maintenance," and "safety standards." Whereas a 3rd shift supervisor is skilled in "basic math," "cleanliness," "pallets," and "work ethic." This is part of what separates the two careers.
3rd shift supervisors tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,104. In contrast, line leaders make the biggest average salary, $39,263, in the technology industry.On average, 3rd shift supervisors reach similar levels of education than line leaders. 3rd shift supervisors are 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Line leader vs. Shift production supervisor
A shift production supervisor is in charge of overseeing business operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach production standards and production targets, supervising and assessing staff performance, delegating tasks, managing schedules, and prioritizing customer satisfaction. They may also produce progress reports and presentations, address and resolve any issues or concerns, and train new workforce members. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is essential to lead and encourage team members, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, line leader responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "assembly line," "leadership," and "safety rules." Meanwhile, a shift production supervisor has duties that require skills in areas such as "lean manufacturing," "osha," "lean six sigma," and "sigma." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Shift production supervisors may earn a lower salary than line leaders, but shift production supervisors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $37,043. On the other hand, line leaders receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $39,263.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Shift production supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than line leaders. In fact, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Line leader vs. Production supervisor
Production supervisors are employees who oversee the production process, usually handling activities directly related to people management. They manage employees by ensuring that the production floor employees are doing their work well and are motivated. Production supervisors guide employees and ensure that everyone is working towards company goals. They properly communicate these goals as well as the strategies to meet the set goals. Production supervisors have a direct hand in the hiring and subsequent training of employees. They should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a line leader is likely to be skilled in "quality checks," "leadership," "safety rules," and "pallet jack," while a typical production supervisor is skilled in "lean manufacturing," "osha," "corrective action," and "sigma."
Production supervisors earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $77,082. Line leaders earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $39,263.When it comes to education, production supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to line leaders. In fact, they're 3.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Line leader vs. Lead operator/machine operator
A Lead Operator or an Industrial Machinery Mechanic is responsible for creating, installing, and repairing different types of machinery. This person does the adjustment and maintenance of machines as well as the industrial production and distribution of types of equipment and other systems. They also identify the causes of the problem and determines the valued solutions. Other duties include maintaining the routine monitoring of equipment to ensure quality standards and examines the production equipment to evaluate the performance and if there are changes.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between line leaders and lead operator/machine operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a line leader might have more use for skills like "continuous improvement," "customer service," "quality checks," and "troubleshoot." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of lead operator/machine operators require skills like "product quality," "quality control checks," "production machines," and "production lines. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for lead operator/machine operators, with average annual pay of $45,342. Comparatively, the highest line leader annual salary comes from the technology industry.lead operator/machine operators reach similar levels of education compared to line leaders, in general. The difference is that they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of line leader
Updated January 8, 2025











