Post job

What is a manufacturing team leader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Kamran Abedini

A manufacturing team lead generally supervises manufacturing production and ensures that the process goes smoothly, although this is largely dependent on the field. Whether the company manufactures automobiles, computers, or appliances, the manufacturing team leader ensures that the entire manufacturing process, from start to finish, is up to company standards. Manufacturing team leads can be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including, but not limited to, supervising and training staff, providing a safe and productive work environment for staff, acting as intermediary between employees and upper management, providing input on hiring process(es), analyzing the manufacturing process, identifying trends, and proposing new ways to improve existing products and procedures.

Manufacturing team leads are expected to be adept at data analysis, excellent organizational and communication skills., and to have first-hand knowledge of the how the entire manufacturing process works.

Although an advanced degree is not required for most manufacturing team leaders, experience in the area of manufacturing is essential. Most manufacturing team leads can expect to make up to $35,000 per year.

What general advice would you give to a manufacturing team leader?

Dr. Kamran AbediniDr. Kamran Abedini LinkedIn profile

Professor and Chairman, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Larger corporations might have more mentors and give you more time to get familiar with the processes; however, smaller ones need your undivided attention from day one to prove your worth. Both have their own advantages. Learn why you are being hired and work toward satisfying that purpose. Graduates need to be tech-savvy and know how to work remotely. This means a formal work setting at home or taking advantage of remote offices, recently becoming popular for those who want to get out of their homes to feel they are in a working environment. Furthermore, they need to spend more time thinking and taking advantage of cognitive skills as artificial intelligence can substitute natural intelligence, but still, pattern recognition and feeling interpretation is still made by humans. Engineers are tasked to imagine and make a better world. That is what they should wake up thinking every day.
ScoreManufacturing Team LeaderUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,390

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 4.86%

Black or African American 11.93%

Hispanic or Latino 17.26%

Unknown 4.12%

White 61.12%

Gender

female 20.33%

male 79.67%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing team leader career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing team leader

  1. Explore manufacturing team leader education requirements

    Most common manufacturing team leader degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.1 %

    Associate

    19.6 %

    High School Diploma

    11.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing team leader skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Continuous Improvement12.56%
    Lean Manufacturing11.51%
    GMP5.69%
    Process Improvement4.40%
    ISO4.32%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing team leader training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing team leaders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing team leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing team leader resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing team leader duties and responsibilities

    • Lead numerous Kaizen blitz efforts to identify and reduce waste.
    • Manage operations in compliance with strict ISO9001 certification and FDA requirements.
    • Manage a team of QC inspectors for inspecting automotive components from manufacturing line
    • Provide technical information to FDA auditor during PAI inspection.
  5. Get manufacturing team leader experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a manufacturing team leader. The most common roles before becoming a manufacturing team leader include team leader, production supervisor team lead and manufacturing technician.
  6. Prepare your manufacturing team leader resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing team leader resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing team leader resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable manufacturing team leader resume templates

    Build a professional manufacturing team leader resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your manufacturing team leader resume.
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
    Manufacturing Team Leader Resume
  7. Apply for manufacturing team leader jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing team leader job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first manufacturing team leader job

Zippi

Are you a manufacturing team leader?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average manufacturing team leader salary

The average manufacturing team leader salary in the United States is $39,390 per year or $19 per hour. Manufacturing team leader salaries range between $28,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average manufacturing team leader salary
$39,390 Yearly
$18.94 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do manufacturing team leaders rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Manufacturing team leader reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Being part of the core team, making desicions and having a positive impact on my team daily , Expressing my abilities to grow as a leader face new challenges day to day. Put all my expierences and acknowlegment into action creating a postive enviroment to work.

Cons

There are ups and down but it is gratifying when you come out on top


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Being able to create a work environment where people flourish, come together, build good relationships form positive teamwork, watching work flow smoothly, reaching or exceeding goals, and be accountable. 2. An opportunity to learn shop floor activities technically and also to develop managerial skills.

Cons

When my children were young and still in school, I didn't like not having a work-life balance to be with the family. But now my family is grown up with there own families.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Team work , layout understand ing, and clients conversations skills

Cons

On site rudly behavior


Working as a manufacturing team leader? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse production and manufacturing jobs