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The differences between manufacturing leaders and manufacturing supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a manufacturing leader and a manufacturing supervisor. Additionally, a manufacturing leader has an average salary of $89,761, which is higher than the $71,330 average annual salary of a manufacturing supervisor.
The top three skills for a manufacturing leader include lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and GMP. The most important skills for a manufacturing supervisor are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and safety regulations.
| Manufacturing Leader | Manufacturing Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $89,761 | $71,330 |
| Hourly rate | $43.15 | $34.29 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 87,299 | 68,725 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A manufacturing leader or production leader is someone who takes charge of the manufacturer's production process. Manufacturing leaders plan, organize, and establish a recommendation for manufacturing strategies. They make sure that products are successfully developed based on the specifications. They supervise the teams working in product development and operations. It is part of their job to ensure great production management. They study successes and failures and emphasize growth. Also, they inspire and engage staff at every level of the manufacturing process.
A manufacturing supervisor is a management-level employee who takes responsibility for the daily operations of the production processes in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing supervisors execute different roles as sponsors, coaches, directors, counselors, and educators. They supervise staff, organize the production team, and monitor the overall workflow. There are necessary skills for this position, including adaptability, cooperation, verbal and written communication, and conflict resolution. The supervisors are also expected to be skilled in mentorship and in making a sound decision.
Manufacturing leaders and manufacturing supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Leader | Manufacturing Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $89,761 | $71,330 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $126,000 | Between $55,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | New Brunswick, NJ | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Maine |
| Best paying company | Western Digital | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing leader and a manufacturing supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Leader | Manufacturing Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing leaders' and manufacturing supervisors' demographics:
| Manufacturing Leader | Manufacturing Supervisor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3% | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.4% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |