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Material lead vs line leader

The differences between material leads and line leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a material lead and a line leader. Additionally, a material lead has an average salary of $86,429, which is higher than the $36,217 average annual salary of a line leader.

The top three skills for a material lead include continuous improvement, logistics and materials management. The most important skills for a line leader are continuous improvement, customer service, and safety procedures.

Material lead vs line leader overview

Material LeadLine Leader
Yearly salary$86,429$36,217
Hourly rate$41.55$17.41
Growth rate-3%-
Number of jobs22,580130,588
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4546
Years of experience22

What does a material lead do?

As a material lead, they must know record-keeping practices, automated system operations, safety/supervisory practices and principles, adopt skills in operating materials handling, automotive and office equipment, and in lifting heavy packages and objects. They are entitled to coordinate the activities of subordinates, design stockroom layout and oversee rearranging processes, examine incoming shipments for shortage or damage and correspond with the shipper to rectify and fill out appropriate documents and forms. They also need to review the complex work procedure to resolve question presentations by workers.

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.

Material lead vs line leader salary

Material leads and line leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material LeadLine Leader
Average salary$86,429$36,217
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $132,000Between $23,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CitySouth San Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireMassachusetts
Best paying companyBiogenMicrosoft
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between material lead and line leader education

There are a few differences between a material lead and a line leader in terms of educational background:

Material LeadLine Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityStanford University

Material lead vs line leader demographics

Here are the differences between material leads' and line leaders' demographics:

Material LeadLine Leader
Average age4546
Gender ratioMale, 73.9% Female, 26.1%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between material lead and line leader duties and responsibilities

Material lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage materials MRP software systems set-up, sourcing, planning and layout for new product introduction of GACB.
  • Lead project to establish a Kanban system for hardware to a key station to reduce cycle time and increase efficiency.
  • Manage re-establishment of material management ERP system.
  • Manage all incoming domestic and overseas products including MRO and consignment materials.
  • Manage all raw materials and conduct inventory audits, maintain compliance guidelines, and supervise MRO purchasing to balance material shortage/surplus.
  • Utilize multiple databases and MRP systems to identify and resolve inventory issues daily
  • Show more

Line leader example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Material lead vs line leader skills

Common material lead skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Logistics, 9%
  • Materials Management, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 4%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
  • Sigma, 4%
Common line leader skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
  • GMP, 4%

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