Operation supervisor vs materials supervisor

The differences between operation supervisors and materials supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an operation supervisor and a materials supervisor. Additionally, a materials supervisor has an average salary of $67,592, which is higher than the $57,279 average annual salary of an operation supervisor.

The top three skills for an operation supervisor include logistics, safety procedures and OSHA. The most important skills for a materials supervisor are continuous improvement, safety procedures, and logistics.

Operation supervisor vs materials supervisor overview

	Operation Supervisor	Materials Supervisor
Yearly salary	$57,279	$67,592
Hourly rate	$27.54	$32.50
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	94,116	61,634
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does an operation supervisor do?

Operations supervisors manage a specific operations-related team or department. They ensure that all the agreed-upon key performance indicators are being met. They also address any performance challenges and strategize on how to improve different areas in the team. They communicate team goals and balance the organization's requirements with the team's profile. Operations supervisors also manage the employees under their department. They hire for vacancies and train new employees. They also ensure that employees are properly coached for improvement. Operations supervisors are expected to be strategic, personable, and good communicators.

What does a materials supervisor do?

The job of a materials supervisor is to oversee the shipping, receiving, handling, and warehousing of materials. You will supervise the transport of materials and ensure that the material needs of an organization are met. Typical job duties include overseeing the daily business operations of the group, ensuring best practices in safety, productivity, housekeeping. The supervisors ensure that attendance is being followed and monitoring routine operations in materials management, including logistics and planning. As a materials supervisor, you are also expected to mentor team members for professional and personal development.

Operation supervisor vs materials supervisor salary

Operation supervisors and materials supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operation Supervisor	Materials Supervisor
Average salary	$57,279	$67,592
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $87,000	Between $51,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City	Kansas City, KS	Elkhart, IN
Highest paying state	Louisiana	Wyoming
Best paying company	Ropes & Gray	Mercy Corps
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between operation supervisor and materials supervisor education

There are a few differences between an operation supervisor and a materials supervisor in terms of educational background:

	Operation Supervisor	Materials Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Operation supervisor vs materials supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between operation supervisors' and materials supervisors' demographics:

	Operation Supervisor	Materials Supervisor
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between operation supervisor and materials supervisor duties and responsibilities

Operation supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage labor and operating expenses to meet budget goals by utilizing KRONOS.
Manage the safety, quality, productivity, OEE, yields, & continuous improvement.
Manage the proper preparation of equipment for mechanical work as well as proper utilization of LOTO system.
Serve as member of HAZMAT team and manage all training, orientation and safety programs for entire facility.
Manage all inbound and outbound of product/inventory, and keep accurate counts in AS400 P.K.M.S warehouse management software.
Manage daily activities of up to 15 staff and up to 50 students at youth rehabilitation boarding facility.

Materials supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage the inventory of electrical parts and component using KANBAN.
Manage a free BOM scrubber design to review manufacturer's current part lists.
Develop, implement, and manage logistics of outsource manufacturing operations to sister companies in Canada and Italy.
Establish procedures that manage critical factors such as moisture sensitivity, electrostatic discharge, storeroom temperature and FIFO inventory staging system.
Implement new inventory management system into MRP.
Implement OSHA forklift safety standards to ensure safe and efficient warehouse operations when unloading freight trucks.

Operation supervisor vs materials supervisor skills

Common operation supervisor skills

Logistics, 7%
Safety Procedures, 7%
OSHA, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 4%

Common materials supervisor skills

Continuous Improvement, 6%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Logistics, 6%
Inventory Control, 6%
Shipping Receiving, 5%
MRP, 4%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Operation Supervisor
Operation Supervisor vs Materials Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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