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The differences between material leads and supply chain specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a material lead, becoming a supply chain specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a material lead has an average salary of $86,429, which is higher than the $71,414 average annual salary of a supply chain specialist.
The top three skills for a material lead include continuous improvement, logistics and materials management. The most important skills for a supply chain specialist are supply chain, logistics, and chain management.
| Material Lead | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $86,429 | $71,414 |
| Hourly rate | $41.55 | $34.33 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 22,580 | 25,129 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
It is the responsibility of the supply chain specialist to procure materials to manufacture and ship products. The supply chain specialist determines and orders the proper quantities and negotiates pricing and their shipment terms. They oversee the delivery of necessary materials for the fulfillment of orders made by customers. The specialists need to develop strong skills in project management, business ethics, problem-solving, understanding of financial statements, communication skills, and cost accounting skills.
Material leads and supply chain specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Lead | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Average salary | $86,429 | $71,414 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $132,000 | Between $49,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Biogen | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a material lead and a supply chain specialist in terms of educational background:
| Material Lead | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between material leads' and supply chain specialists' demographics:
| Material Lead | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 10% |