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Production specialist vs production leader

The differences between production specialists and production leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production leader has an average salary of $44,563, which is higher than the $42,090 average annual salary of a production specialist.

The top three skills for a production specialist include food handling, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a production leader are customer service, continuous improvement, and safety procedures.

Production specialist vs production leader overview

Production SpecialistProduction Leader
Yearly salary$42,090$44,563
Hourly rate$20.24$21.42
Growth rate--
Number of jobs76,288107,578
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age3846
Years of experience-2

What does a production specialist do?

Production specialists are responsible for planning and managing the production activities of a company based on job orders. They provide support to the operations department and collaborate with supervisors to create production plans and identity workflow requirements. Other responsibilities may include managing existing workflow, organizing job training to the production team, and monitoring and reporting job status to customers. Production specialists are also expected to respond to customer concerns and inquiries, ensure the timely delivery of products, and ensure that products meet quality standards.

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.

Production specialist vs production leader salary

Production specialists and production leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production SpecialistProduction Leader
Average salary$42,090$44,563
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $73,000Between $31,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between production specialist and production leader education

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

Production SpecialistProduction Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Production specialist vs production leader demographics

Here are the differences between production specialists' and production leaders' demographics:

Production SpecialistProduction Leader
Average age3846
Gender ratioMale, 62.4% Female, 37.6%Male, 70.6% Female, 29.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%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 Percentage9%6%

Differences between production specialist and production leader duties and responsibilities

Production specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and refine the metadata system for a photography database -communicate with customers over e-mail with regards to advertisement proofs
  • Labele individual components assuring accuracy in order to meet GMP and FDA guidelines.
  • Host and handle VIP lists and Facebook marketing, assist production crew during shows ,
  • Produce and cast several videos for the main Facebook page that reach millions of views.
  • Review and modify BOM's, assembly prints, and schematics prior to release to production.
  • Work in conjunction with engineering team on ECO's B.O.M's to identify and resolve material shortages.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Production specialist vs production leader skills

Common production specialist skills
  • Food Handling, 36%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 8%
  • Math, 8%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Production Equipment, 7%
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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