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The differences between production planning managers and material managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a production planning manager, becoming a material manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a material manager has an average salary of $96,125, which is higher than the $88,015 average annual salary of a production planning manager.
The top three skills for a production planning manager include MRP, continuous improvement and ERP. The most important skills for a material manager are supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
| Production Planning Manager | Material Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $88,015 | $96,125 |
| Hourly rate | $42.31 | $46.21 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 68,989 | 43,759 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A production planning manager is in charge of developing production plans in adherence to the company's budget and deadlines. It is their duty to identify the production needs and set objectives and guidelines that would usher employees into achieving a smooth and efficient workflow. They must also monitor the progress of daily production operations, resolving issues when they arise. Furthermore, as a production planning manager, it is essential to lead and encourage employees to meet production goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A material manager is responsible for monitoring inventories and stock supplies, ensuring the adequacy of materials needed for manufacturing or other operations, depending on the organization's industry. Material managers meet with suppliers and third-party vendors, negotiating contracts that would fit the budget goals of the company without compromising quality. They manage the distribution of resources throughout the organizations' department and provide purchase reports for the management. A material manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to address the needs of an organization for smooth operations.
Production planning managers and material managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Planning Manager | Material Manager | |
| Average salary | $88,015 | $96,125 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $121,000 | Between $72,000 And $126,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Texas Instruments | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a production planning manager and a material manager in terms of educational background:
| Production Planning Manager | Material Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between production planning managers' and material managers' demographics:
| Production Planning Manager | Material Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 77.7% Female, 22.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |