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Process leader vs production manager

The differences between process leaders and production managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a process leader and a production manager. Additionally, a process leader has an average salary of $88,400, which is higher than the $78,064 average annual salary of a production manager.

The top three skills for a process leader include customer service, cleanliness and sales floor. The most important skills for a production manager are continuous improvement, customer service, and quality standards.

Process leader vs production manager overview

Process LeaderProduction Manager
Yearly salary$88,400$78,064
Hourly rate$42.50$37.53
Growth rate11%3%
Number of jobs71,46795,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a process leader do?

A process leader is responsible for overseeing the operational processes of an organization to support business functions and client requirements. Process leaders evaluate the efficiency of workflow procedures, identifying inconsistencies, and revising processing techniques as needed to improve deliverables and maximize productivity. They also train new employees, share best practices, and address their difficulties by organizing a specific learning approach. A process leader must have excellent communication and organizational skills, such as writing progress reports and identifying opportunities that would drive revenue resources for the business.

What does a production manager do?

Production managers work in show business, whether in film, television shows, or theatre productions. They oversee the whole production and ensure that all agreements are met. They manage finances and budget allocation. They oversee the design of costumes and sets. They also manage the timeline of filming and ensure that the production or filming will finish within the agreed timeline. Production managers also ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied. They build meaningful working relationships with everyone involved, from directors to actors to crew members. They try to mitigate any potential challenges in the production budget and schedule.

Process leader vs production manager salary

Process leaders and production managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Process LeaderProduction Manager
Average salary$88,400$78,064
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $132,000Between $50,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityJersey City, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyRhode Island
Best paying companyBP America IncCheniere Energy
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between process leader and production manager education

There are a few differences between a process leader and a production manager in terms of educational background:

Process LeaderProduction Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Process leader vs production manager demographics

Here are the differences between process leaders' and production managers' demographics:

Process LeaderProduction Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 58.8% Female, 41.2%Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 5.4% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between process leader and production manager duties and responsibilities

Process leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead process cost, capacity, and ROI forecasting
  • Manage the movement of work in progress (WIP) through the departments.
  • Manage day-to-day logistics of work orders to ensure they are progressing as scheduled and customer commitments are being meet.
  • Design, build, train and manage new cross site data team to support integrate ERP system for change control.
  • Initiate supplier - kitting, Kanban and vendor manage inventory processes of hardware, pipe, fittings and expense items.
  • Plan and facilitate Kaizen events that lead to significant business improvement results.
  • Show more

Production manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead a KAIZEN that save 220k in damages.
  • Manage lean sigma techniques and Kaizen events to reduce raw material and scrap costs.
  • Hire and manage crew and locations along with renting necessary film equipment and organizing shoot logistics.
  • Team member in setting up TPM method of measuring production (OEE), helping to achieve record production results.
  • Manage data reports, analyze and provide data to improve operational performance to include OEE, process reliability and labor optimization.
  • Manage production control group and supply replenishment logistics for the manufacturing division.
  • Show more

Process leader vs production manager skills

Common process leader skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Sales Floor, 8%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Process Improvement, 6%
Common production manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Production Supervisors, 6%

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