Manufacturing quality manager vs quality supervisor

The differences between manufacturing quality managers and quality supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a manufacturing quality manager and a quality supervisor. Additionally, a manufacturing quality manager has an average salary of $121,115, which is higher than the $60,486 average annual salary of a quality supervisor.

The top three skills for a manufacturing quality manager include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and ISO. The most important skills for a quality supervisor are continuous improvement, ISO, and corrective action.

Manufacturing quality manager vs quality supervisor overview

	Manufacturing Quality Manager	Quality Supervisor
Yearly salary	$121,115	$60,486
Hourly rate	$58.23	$29.08
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	88,190	61,400
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a manufacturing quality manager do?

A manufacturing quality manager ensures the manufacturing processes and products meet minimum standards of quality. In this position, they are required to ensure a certain level of quality is met, understand customer needs and requirements, develop quality control processes that meet the requirements provided, review specifications for products and processes, inspect final products to ensure they comply with legal standards, and set requirements for raw materials from suppliers.

What does a quality supervisor do?

A quality supervisor is an individual who manages and implements the quality assurance and control systems of a company to ensure the proper execution of products and customer satisfaction. Quality supervisors oversee a team of quality control analysts and train them on the latest product standards. They must make sure that customers are pleased with the finished product by communicating with them and setting realistic expectations. Quality supervisors must also provide reports on quality metrics to the other members of the management team.

Manufacturing quality manager vs quality supervisor salary

Manufacturing quality managers and quality supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manufacturing Quality Manager	Quality Supervisor
Average salary	$121,115	$60,486
Salary range	Between $82,000 And $178,000	Between $43,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Apple	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Automotive

Differences between manufacturing quality manager and quality supervisor education

There are a few differences between a manufacturing quality manager and a quality supervisor in terms of educational background:

	Manufacturing Quality Manager	Quality Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Manufacturing quality manager vs quality supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing quality managers' and quality supervisors' demographics:

	Manufacturing Quality Manager	Quality Supervisor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between manufacturing quality manager and quality supervisor duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing quality manager example responsibilities.

Manage quality assurance inspectors, conduct internal, customer FDA and ISO audits.
Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
Assist with FDA inspection preparation.
Revise and maintain a broken complaint handling and CAPA process.
Conduct, review, and approve process and product CAPA investigations.
Co-Host customer audits, ISO audits and are primary host for contract manufacturing customer.

Quality supervisor example responsibilities.

Lead the TS16949 implementation team.
Research and involve respective departments to achieve immediate corrective/preventative action response to pertinent customer and internal CAPA's, as required.
Maintain effective work instructions and operating procedures for inspection, operations and supplier quality assurance per ISO requirements.
Develop KPIs for suppliers and document progress.
Participate in hosting customer, governmental, third party certifying body plant visits and perform all GMP internal audits.
Prepare documentation and training for ISO re-certification audits.

Manufacturing quality manager vs quality supervisor skills

Common manufacturing quality manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 7%
Lean Manufacturing, 6%
ISO, 6%
Product Quality, 6%
Sigma, 5%
Quality Management System, 5%

Common quality supervisor skills

Continuous Improvement, 7%
ISO, 6%
Corrective Action, 5%
Quality Standards, 5%
Food Safety, 4%
Product Quality, 3%

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Manufacturing Quality Manager
Manufacturing Quality Manager vs Quality Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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