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What does a process leader do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Process leader responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real process leader resumes:

  • 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.
  • Work closely with PeopleSoft ERP staff and DBA's.
  • Develop green level certification training program and A3 class.
  • Collaborate with boat and motorcycle product managers to maximize ROI.
  • Develop and implement process metrics and KPIs to measure development progress.
  • Direct SME pertaining to new production spare parts as well repair spare parts.
  • Process stop payments on refund checks for patients, providers and other insurance companies.
  • Perform safety audits of manufacturing areas to meet OSHA guidelines for a safe workplace.
  • Machine shop involve numerous types of equipment ranging from basic machines to CNC's.
  • Operate a variety of CNC machines and rapid prototype machines for prototype and production tooling.

Process leader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Process Leaders are proficient in Customer Service, Cleanliness, and Sales Floor. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Process Leaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 13%

    Full operational budgetary, production, quality, customer service, material management, purchasing, production control and engineering responsibility.

  • Cleanliness, 8%

    Used the 5's method to create an environment of organization, cleanliness, order and discipline throughout the facility.

  • Sales Floor, 8%

    Ensured both the sales floor and stockroom were complete by delegating tasks to those best suited to complete them.

  • Continuous Improvement, 7%

    Co-led Qualification-Notification Process Continuous Improvement Project -Significant improvement in cycle time from baseline average As-Is of 98 days to 15 days.

  • Project Management, 6%

    Developed uniform templates, menus and reports within the defect tracking system to establish consistent project management standards across cross-functional units.

  • Process Improvement, 6%

    Compiled and presented assessment results to Executive Management to communicate current project execution maturity level status and encourage process improvement direction.

"customer service," "cleanliness," and "sales floor" are among the most common skills that process leaders use at work. You can find even more process leader responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a process leader to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what process leaders do because "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Additionally, a process leader resume shows how process leaders use analytical skills: "worked with quality assurance regarding clinical data supplied in the system due to fda and mhra (uk) guidelines. "

Interpersonal skills. Many process leader duties rely on interpersonal skills. "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services," so a process leader will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways process leader responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "experience with training and writing procedures for production personnel, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of process leaders is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday process leader duties, as "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "enhanced communication processes and business case with all departments to assure manufacturing priorities, qms, iso and non-conforming work. "

Problem-solving skills. process leader responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." This resume example shows what process leaders do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "formulate and batch all chemical solutions in an fda regulated chemical production environment. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a process leader to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what process leaders relies on this skill, since "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." How this skill relates to process leader duties can be seen in an example from a process leader resume snippet: "prepared and submitted payroll for team members in my department and assisted hr to help meet payroll deadlines. "

All process leader skills

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Compare different process leaders

Process leader vs. Operation supervisor

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.

The annual salary of operation supervisors is $31,121 lower than the average salary of process leaders.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both process leader and operation supervisor positions are skilled in cleanliness, continuous improvement, and process improvement.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a process leader are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "sales floor," "project management," and "lean six sigma." On the other hand, a job as an operation supervisor requires skills like "safety procedures," "osha," "customer satisfaction," and "safety standards." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Operation supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $66,587. On the other hand, process leaders are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $83,430.The education levels that operation supervisors earn slightly differ from process leaders. In particular, operation supervisors are 7.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a process leader. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Process leader vs. Supervisor

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met. When needed, supervisors also provide guidance to employees in terms of their career or even personal challenges. They also help in fostering harmonious work relationships by resolving interpersonal conflicts at work. To be successful in their role, they must have leadership skills, time management skills, decision-making capabilities, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.

On average, supervisors earn a $34,498 lower salary than process leaders a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Process leaders and supervisors both require similar skills like "customer service," "sales floor," and "payroll" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that process leader responsibilities requires skills like "cleanliness," "continuous improvement," "project management," and "process improvement." But a supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety procedures," "pos," "direct supervision," and "store operations."

Supervisors may earn a lower salary than process leaders, but supervisors earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $60,088. On the other hand, process leaders receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $83,430.In general, supervisors achieve lower levels of education than process leaders. They're 8.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Process leader vs. Production coordinator

A production coordinator's role will vary depending on the industry or line of work. A production coordinator serves as the entire crew's primary point of contact on television and film sets. Among their primary responsibilities is to ensure that everyone gets to receive the necessary reports, daily schedule, and urgent reminders. Moreover, a production coordinator also has to manage the budget, reach out to food caterers, prepare the transportation and location, handle the accommodation and equipment rentals, process the billing, and even secure the necessary permits and documentation.

An average production coordinator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of process leaders. The difference in salaries amounts to production coordinators earning a $39,034 lower average salary than process leaders.process leaders and production coordinators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "quality standards," and "logistics," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from process leader resumes include skills like "cleanliness," "sales floor," "continuous improvement," and "project management," whereas a production coordinator is more likely to list skills in "video production," "purchase orders," "production schedules," and "on-time delivery. "

Production coordinators earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $53,148. Process leaders earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $83,430.When it comes to education, production coordinators tend to earn lower degree levels compared to process leaders. In fact, they're 8.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Process leader vs. Production supervisor

Production supervisors are employees who oversee the production process, usually handling activities directly related to people management. They manage employees by ensuring that the production floor employees are doing their work well and are motivated. Production supervisors guide employees and ensure that everyone is working towards company goals. They properly communicate these goals as well as the strategies to meet the set goals. Production supervisors have a direct hand in the hiring and subsequent training of employees. They should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills.

Production supervisors tend to earn a lower pay than process leaders by an average of $25,009 per year.While both process leaders and production supervisors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, continuous improvement, and process improvement, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A process leader uses "cleanliness," "sales floor," "project management," and "payroll." Production supervisors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "safety procedures," "production schedules," "osha," and "safety regulations. "production supervisors enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $77,082. For comparison, process leaders earn the highest salary in the technology industry.production supervisors reach lower levels of education compared to process leaders, in general. The difference is that they're 8.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of process leader

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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