Manufacturing manager vs senior production manager

The differences between manufacturing managers and senior production managers 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 manager and a senior production manager. Additionally, a senior production manager has an average salary of $128,721, which is higher than the $101,712 average annual salary of a manufacturing manager.

The top three skills for a manufacturing manager include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and production schedules. The most important skills for a senior production manager are project management, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing.

Manufacturing manager vs senior production manager overview

	Manufacturing Manager	Senior Production Manager
Yearly salary	$101,712	$128,721
Hourly rate	$48.90	$61.89
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	40,395	55,902
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

What does a manufacturing manager do?

A manufacturing manager is an individual who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization's production process to ensure that all workers and departments meet the organization's productivity and efficiency standards. Manufacturing managers work under a department head and assist them in planning and directing an efficient equipment layout and material flow. They implement quality control programs that ensure finished products are in par with a certain standard. They also train manufacturing workers and monitor them to ensure that they meet performance and safety requirements.

What does a senior production manager do?

Basically, a Senior Production Manager takes responsibility for supervising the production reports in assigned departments. Senior Production Managers are in charge of the product workmanship or product quality of methods, techniques, and processes. They focus on conformance with economical manufacturing objectives, profit goals, and production schedules. They ensure that the production process is on time and within the budget.

Manufacturing manager vs senior production manager salary

Manufacturing managers and senior production managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manufacturing Manager	Senior Production Manager
Average salary	$101,712	$128,721
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $145,000	Between $91,000 And $181,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Bain & Company	The Walt Disney Company
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between manufacturing manager and senior production manager education

There are a few differences between a manufacturing manager and a senior production manager in terms of educational background:

	Manufacturing Manager	Senior Production Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Manufacturing manager vs senior production manager demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing managers' and senior production managers' demographics:

	Manufacturing Manager	Senior Production Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2%	Male, 65.5% Female, 34.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between manufacturing manager and senior production manager duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing manager example responsibilities.

Lead plant start up efforts by implementing TPM systems, training, tracking, course correction.
Manage a 3 shift 63 machinist , 15 mfg engineers, and 5 support CNC machining operations.
Manage cross-functional teams to derive root cause analysis and resolutions for deviations, investigations and CAPA's.
Manage tech transfers, DFM, suppliers and CMO on late stage & commercial drug-device combination products.
Manage all tissue valve production functions including QC inspection, machine shop, custom device and surgical accessories.
Utilize applicable decision making tools to consider assets, evaluate effectiveness and realign to achieve strategic goals and ROI.

Senior production manager example responsibilities.

Train all plant departments in following them in the IBM AS400 system achieving a significant reduction in transaction errors.
Manage and direct production QA and QC managers to ensure top quality product ships on time and with proper packaging.
Organize and manage daily activities of design studio; including financials, operational expenses, creating BOM charts and product costing.
Manage product booking to multiple overseas business partners seasonally.
Manage all booking and costing negotiations including seasonal costing and forecasting.
Coordinate logistics, and manage entire shipping department including warehouse and employees.

Manufacturing manager vs senior production manager skills

Common manufacturing manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 10%
Lean Manufacturing, 9%
Production Schedules, 4%
Production Supervisors, 4%
Sigma, 4%
Project Management, 3%

Common senior production manager skills

Project Management, 8%
Continuous Improvement, 7%
Lean Manufacturing, 6%
SR, 4%
Production Schedules, 4%
Sigma, 4%

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Manufacturing Manager
Manufacturing Manager vs Senior Production Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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