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Supply chain lead vs supply chain manager

The differences between supply chain leads and supply chain 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 supply chain lead and a supply chain manager. Additionally, a supply chain lead has an average salary of $101,348, which is higher than the $100,414 average annual salary of a supply chain manager.

The top three skills for a supply chain lead include supply chain, project management and kpis. The most important skills for a supply chain manager are supply chain, logistics, and project management.

Supply chain lead vs supply chain manager overview

Supply Chain LeadSupply Chain Manager
Yearly salary$101,348$100,414
Hourly rate$48.73$48.28
Growth rate--
Number of jobs34,06937,773
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a supply chain lead do?

A supply chain lead specializes in overseeing the supply chain in a company, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are primarily responsible for managing schedules, monitoring supplies and logistics, addressing and resolving issues and concerns, and building positive relationships with vendors and suppliers. Supply chain leaders must also maintain quality control and inventory, coordinate workers, and produce progress reports for supervisors and high-ranking personnel. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage staff, all while implementing the policies and standards of the company.

What does a supply chain manager do?

A supply chain manager is an individual who takes responsibility for managing hardware, equipment, and any other logistical details of an organization. Supply chain managers work alongside the external partners for parts and raw material procurement. They make sure that global companies coordinate with their sources of goods. These professionals also assess their suppliers and negotiate corporate contracts with vendors. The skills they needed include technical understanding, project management, cost accounting skills, and business ethics.

Supply chain lead vs supply chain manager salary

Supply chain leads and supply chain managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Supply Chain LeadSupply Chain Manager
Average salary$101,348$100,414
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $136,000Between $72,000 And $139,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonVermont
Best paying companyThe CitadelMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between supply chain lead and supply chain manager education

There are a few differences between a supply chain lead and a supply chain manager in terms of educational background:

Supply Chain LeadSupply Chain Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Supply chain lead vs supply chain manager demographics

Here are the differences between supply chain leads' and supply chain managers' demographics:

Supply Chain LeadSupply Chain Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 71.5% Female, 28.5%Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between supply chain lead and supply chain manager duties and responsibilities

Supply chain lead example responsibilities.

  • Expand role to manage TMS standalone and combine WMS / TMS implementation projects.
  • Manage RFP bids and vendor selection process including negotiation of scope and contract.
  • Lead product distribution and logistics, including contract negotiation, carrier qualification and claims management for international and domestic shipments.
  • Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
  • Develop KPIs for inventory management and demand forecasting.
  • Establish clearly define SCM targets base on project goals and client input.
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Supply chain manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the SIOP process to establish continuous flow for customer deliveries while achieving a reduction in inventory.
  • Manage RFP process to identify best partners.
  • Develop and implement a process to manage and maintain accurate item master in LAWSON procurement system.
  • Raise capital, set up PMO office & lead cross-functional team to deliver a document management technology solution.
  • Pilot software implementation by establishing requirements, creating strategy, and defining implementation plan; manage integration with ERP system.
  • Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
  • Show more

Supply chain lead vs supply chain manager skills

Common supply chain lead skills
  • Supply Chain, 17%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • KPIs, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • HR, 6%
  • ERP, 5%
Common supply chain manager skills
  • Supply Chain, 20%
  • Logistics, 9%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Chain Management, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%

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