Operations team leader vs operations manager

The differences between operations team leaders and operations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an operations team leader, becoming an operations manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an operations manager has an average salary of $76,894, which is higher than the $55,160 average annual salary of an operations team leader.

The top three skills for an operations team leader include customer service, continuous improvement and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Operations team leader vs operations manager overview

	Operations Team Leader	Operations Manager
Yearly salary	$55,160	$76,894
Hourly rate	$26.52	$36.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	179,669	343,868
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	2	6

What does an operations team leader do?

An operations team leader is an individual who manages teams, encouraging cooperation, productivity, and teamwork. Operations team leaders foster team unity and enhance the daily efficiency of the companies or any business establishment. They manage a diverse workforce in companies to make sure that the organizational operations are efficient. Also, they implement programs and processes and oversee building maintenance. It is also their responsibility to manage mechanical and human resources and establish a team budget.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Operations team leader vs operations manager salary

Operations team leaders and operations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operations Team Leader	Operations Manager
Average salary	$55,160	$76,894
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $107,000	Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Delaware
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between operations team leader and operations manager education

There are a few differences between an operations team leader and an operations manager in terms of educational background:

	Operations Team Leader	Operations Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Operations team leader vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between operations team leaders' and operations managers' demographics:

	Operations Team Leader	Operations Manager
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 4.7% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	10%

Differences between operations team leader and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Operations team leader example responsibilities.

Manage a team of CNC operators during the facility's exit strategy for machining.
Help develop new WMS system and implement real time visual control charts to achieve production and quality KPI metrics.
Manage SLA by prioritizing and resolving requests/Incidents in accordance with agree service level agreement.
Manage an embed Facebook executive protection team that provide security and logistical support for a corporate executive and his family.
Initiate and complete deviations along with CAPA and/or NTR's.
Document production data, including OEE, QPS, and safety tracking forms.

Operations manager example responsibilities.

Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.

Operations team leader vs operations manager skills

Common operations team leader skills

Customer Service, 15%
Continuous Improvement, 7%
Excellent Interpersonal, 6%
Sales Floor, 6%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Process Improvement, 5%

Common operations manager skills

Customer Service, 23%
Logistics, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Project Management, 4%
Process Improvement, 4%

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Operations Team Leader
Operations Team Leader vs Operations Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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