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Quality manager vs operations manager

The differences between quality managers and operations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a quality manager and an operations manager. Additionally, a quality manager has an average salary of $91,357, which is higher than the $76,894 average annual salary of an operations manager.

The top three skills for a quality manager include continuous improvement, corrective action and quality standards. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Quality manager vs operations manager overview

Quality ManagerOperations Manager
Yearly salary$91,357$76,894
Hourly rate$43.92$36.97
Growth rate3%6%
Number of jobs63,422343,868
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4844
Years of experience66

What does a quality manager do?

A quality manager is an individual who is responsible for ensuring that the level of quality of the company's product outputs is met for customers. Quality managers monitor and evaluate the internal production process so that they can produce statistical reports on the standard of quality and communicate them to upper management. To ensure health and safety standards, quality managers must create and maintain up-to-date product or process specifications. They also train employees on quality assurance standards and processes.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Quality manager vs operations manager salary

Quality managers and operations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality ManagerOperations Manager
Average salary$91,357$76,894
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $128,000Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaDelaware
Best paying companyMetaMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between quality manager and operations manager education

There are a few differences between a quality manager and an operations manager in terms of educational background:

Quality ManagerOperations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Quality manager vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between quality managers' and operations managers' demographics:

Quality ManagerOperations Manager
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 72.1% Female, 27.9%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between quality manager and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Quality manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve TS16949 accreditation during the year.
  • Plan and manage UAT test cycles with the business.
  • Manage six sigma projects concerning Sidematch claims savings $130K annually.
  • Manage drug product, API and component release for clinical and commercial.
  • Manage UAT testing, including consolidation and report out to management on test results.
  • Utilize ITAR knowledge and manage vital certifications and registrations (UL, CSA, military / aerospace).
  • Show more

Operations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
  • Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
  • Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
  • Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
  • Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
  • Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.
  • Show more

Quality manager vs operations manager skills

Common quality manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Product Quality, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Quality Management System, 4%
Common operations manager skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%

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