Packaging manager vs lead operator

The differences between packaging managers and lead operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a packaging manager and a lead operator. Additionally, a packaging manager has an average salary of $109,833, which is higher than the $88,429 average annual salary of a lead operator.

The top three skills for a packaging manager include continuous improvement, project management and product development. The most important skills for a lead operator are customer service, HR, and process improvement.

Packaging manager vs lead operator overview

	Packaging Manager	Lead Operator
Yearly salary	$109,833	$88,429
Hourly rate	$52.80	$42.51
Growth rate	3%	7%
Number of jobs	15,737	87,338
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	48	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does a packaging manager do?

A packaging manager is a person whose job is to supervise a packaging operation, usually in a factory or warehouse. You will be responsible for overseeing other employees within the operation and ensuring that goods are packed correctly and in time for distribution. Packaging managers are responsible for proper maintenance of packaging machines, scheduling staff for efficiency, and ensuring the availability of packaging materials and goods to be packaged. Overseeing the recruitment and training of employees for the packaging line is an added role.

What does a lead operator do?

Lead operators are responsible for the direction and supervision of the day-to-day activities in facilities. As machine operators, they control machines and take charge of industrial operations. They handle and move objects, monitor processes, and inspect materials, structures, and equipment. Also, they may serve as mentors for the new production employees concerning occupational health and safety. They must be skilled in safety procedures, heavy equipment, preventive maintenance, and other things related to machine operations.

Packaging manager vs lead operator salary

Packaging managers and lead operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Packaging Manager	Lead Operator
Average salary	$109,833	$88,429
Salary range	Between $72,000 And $166,000	Between $54,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	BP America Inc	Meta
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between packaging manager and lead operator education

There are a few differences between a packaging manager and a lead operator in terms of educational background:

	Packaging Manager	Lead Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Packaging manager vs lead operator demographics

Here are the differences between packaging managers' and lead operators' demographics:

	Packaging Manager	Lead Operator
Average age	48	46
Gender ratio	Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%	Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between packaging manager and lead operator duties and responsibilities

Packaging manager example responsibilities.

Attain facility commissioning after a successful FDA audit.
Conduct routine audits to ensure product quality specifications, FDA, AIB, and GMP compliance.
Work in concert with QA to overcome FDA issues regarding packaging changes for products with drug claims.
Serve as an internal auditor as required by ISO standards.
Revamp dilution with lean methodologies to increase liquid and specialty production and be GMP compliant.
Prepare final reports and review all complete filling records for accuracy and compliance prior to QA submission.

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Lead operator example responsibilities.

Plan, organize, and lead Kaizen activities as well as managed the cost reduction activities from idea to implementation.
Contact potential REO listing brokers achieving the highest return call rate.
Create UAT scripts and utilize statistical process controls to manage loan process quality and ensure consistency.
Achieve goals in various metrics, from sales to plan, payroll, additional services, print center.
Manage and organize incoming records and publications for use on SharePoint.
Need method to proactively manage the business improving cross-functional collaboration & KPI visibility.

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Packaging manager vs lead operator skills

Common packaging manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 10%
Project Management, 8%
Product Development, 8%
Sops, 5%
Direct Reports, 4%
R, 4%

Common lead operator skills

Customer Service, 18%
HR, 10%
Process Improvement, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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