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Quality supervisor vs quality lead

The differences between quality supervisors and quality leads 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 supervisor and a quality lead. Additionally, a quality lead has an average salary of $90,301, which is higher than the $60,486 average annual salary of a quality supervisor.

The top three skills for a quality supervisor include continuous improvement, ISO and corrective action. The most important skills for a quality lead are continuous improvement, product quality, and quality standards.

Quality supervisor vs quality lead overview

Quality SupervisorQuality Lead
Yearly salary$60,486$90,301
Hourly rate$29.08$43.41
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs61,40062,018
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4848
Years of experience66

What does a quality supervisor do?

A quality supervisor is an individual who manages and implements the quality assurance and control systems of a company to ensure the proper execution of products and customer satisfaction. Quality supervisors oversee a team of quality control analysts and train them on the latest product standards. They must make sure that customers are pleased with the finished product by communicating with them and setting realistic expectations. Quality supervisors must also provide reports on quality metrics to the other members of the management team.

What does a quality lead do?

A quality assurance (QA) lead is responsible for organizing and managing the testing of products prior to its release. Your duties will include defining testing standards and strategies, establishing formal QA processes, and overseeing all aspects of QA, such as using best practices and establishing metrics. Additionally, you are responsible for supervising and mentoring QA team members, and developing and implementing scripts, test cases, and procedures. You are also responsible for managing off quality products and developing and institutionalizing ISO complaints.

Quality supervisor vs quality lead salary

Quality supervisors and quality leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality SupervisorQuality Lead
Average salary$60,486$90,301
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $63,000 And $127,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyIntuitive SurgicalGoogle
Best paying industryAutomotiveHealth Care

Differences between quality supervisor and quality lead education

There are a few differences between a quality supervisor and a quality lead in terms of educational background:

Quality SupervisorQuality Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Quality supervisor vs quality lead demographics

Here are the differences between quality supervisors' and quality leads' demographics:

Quality SupervisorQuality Lead
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 66.6% Female, 33.4%Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between quality supervisor and quality lead duties and responsibilities

Quality supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Lead the TS16949 implementation team.
  • Research and involve respective departments to achieve immediate corrective/preventative action response to pertinent customer and internal CAPA's, as required.
  • Maintain effective work instructions and operating procedures for inspection, operations and supplier quality assurance per ISO requirements.
  • Develop KPIs for suppliers and document progress.
  • Participate in hosting customer, governmental, third party certifying body plant visits and perform all GMP internal audits.
  • Prepare documentation and training for ISO re-certification audits.
  • Show more

Quality lead example responsibilities.

  • Analyze health plan's performance in achieving HEDIS targets and determine appropriate actions for improvement.
  • Manage raw materials receive in the lab and perform raw material USP testing for product release.
  • Manage global QMS development and implementation efforts at service locations.
  • Lead business system development in new aerospace start-up facility with industry-unique process concept.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers, gauges and/or micrometers.
  • Provide leadership and strategic decision-making for regulatory compliance during new product development phase for FDA submission.
  • Show more

Quality supervisor vs quality lead skills

Common quality supervisor skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • ISO, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Food Safety, 4%
  • Product Quality, 3%
Common quality lead skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Product Quality, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Management System, 4%

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