Operations team leader vs production leader

The differences between operations team leaders and production leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an operations team leader and a production leader. Additionally, an operations team leader has an average salary of $55,160, which is higher than the $44,563 average annual salary of a production leader.

The top three skills for an operations team leader include customer service, continuous improvement and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a production leader are customer service, continuous improvement, and safety procedures.

Operations team leader vs production leader overview

	Operations Team Leader	Production Leader
Yearly salary	$55,160	$44,563
Hourly rate	$26.52	$21.42
Growth rate	6%	-
Number of jobs	179,669	107,578
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

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 a production leader do?

A production leader usually works at a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They are primarily responsible for overseeing all processing operations and workforce performance, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They are also responsible for coordinating with personnel, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, delegating tasks, setting the budget and goals, evaluating performances, and even training new members of the workforce. Furthermore, as a leader, it is essential to implement all policies and regulations set by the company to maintain a productive and safe work environment for everyone.

Operations team leader vs production leader salary

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

	Operations Team Leader	Production Leader
Average salary	$55,160	$44,563
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $107,000	Between $31,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between operations team leader and production leader education

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

	Operations Team Leader	Production Leader
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Operations team leader vs production leader demographics

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

	Operations Team Leader	Production Leader
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 70.6% Female, 29.4%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between operations team leader and production leader 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.

Production leader example responsibilities.

Manage PC production line personnel.
Manage the operation of three alkalize systems from a PLC.
Manage employee's schedules, time off requests, vacation and payroll with the KRONOS time management software.
Maintain maximum yields in accordance with company policies and USDA food and safety guidelines.
Maintain the facilities organization, appearance, and cleanliness.
Operate and maintain general manufacturing equipment and perform production in accordance with QSR, ISO and establish written procedures.

Operations team leader vs production leader 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 production leader skills

Customer Service, 11%
Continuous Improvement, 7%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%
Customer Orders, 5%
Production Process, 3%

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Operations Team Leader
Operations Team Leader vs Production Leader

Updated January 8, 2025

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