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Workforce manager vs plant manager

The differences between workforce managers and plant 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 workforce manager and a plant manager. Additionally, a plant manager has an average salary of $113,843, which is higher than the $83,983 average annual salary of a workforce manager.

The top three skills for a workforce manager include HR, powerpoint and process improvement. The most important skills for a plant manager are continuous improvement, customer service, and safety program.

Workforce manager vs plant manager overview

Workforce ManagerPlant Manager
Yearly salary$83,983$113,843
Hourly rate$40.38$54.73
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs172,594275,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a workforce manager do?

A workforce manager is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the productivity and efficiency of the operations staff and assessing if the team complies with the regulatory policies and standard procedures. Workforce managers also strategize techniques to provide the highest quality services for the clients and customers by increasing productivity level and operational solutions. They identify business opportunities by analyzing workforce theories that would generate more revenue resources and attract potential clients according to their needs and requirements.

What does a plant manager do?

In general, plant managers are responsible for the entire operations in a manufacturing plant. Plant managers plan, direct, organize, and run the optimum operations of the plant daily. They create and execute organizational or departmental goals procedures, and policies. They aim to increase the manufacturing production and the capacity and flexibility of its assets while keeping its current quality standards and unnecessary costs. They are expected to have a better understanding of the manufacturing industry like equipment use and mechanical aptitude.

Workforce manager vs plant manager salary

Workforce managers and plant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Workforce ManagerPlant Manager
Average salary$83,983$113,843
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $129,000Between $85,000 And $152,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Koch Industries
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between workforce manager and plant manager education

There are a few differences between a workforce manager and a plant manager in terms of educational background:

Workforce ManagerPlant Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Workforce manager vs plant manager demographics

Here are the differences between workforce managers' and plant managers' demographics:

Workforce ManagerPlant Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 60.2% Female, 39.8%Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between workforce manager and plant manager duties and responsibilities

Workforce manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage ACD / AOD predictive dialer while analyzing calls flow and call table performance.
  • Manage high level HVAC, mechanical, and project management services with extremely tight deadlines with minimal impact to branch operations.
  • Manage vehicle export sales administration; financial analysis, system support, logistics requirements and operational support for all export destinations.
  • Experience with blend (ACD, AOD and IVR) call centers.
  • Measure and analyze KPIs for customer services efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Perform routine testing of IVR and call flow.
  • Show more

Plant manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage 65 plant production and five plant supervisors in bilingual union manufacturing HVAC plant.
  • Manage compliance and training for the facility HACCP plan and are awarded PICQS plus status on annual audit.
  • Lead skilled trades in the repair and maintenance of robotics, PLC, hydraulic and electrical switchgear applications.
  • Lead OEE & SMED initiatives to improve machine utilization, up-time, throughput, change-over time, & yield.
  • Manage daily operations of USDA facility.
  • Coordinate monthly safety meetings, provide training and lead internal inspections that foster OSHA awareness.
  • Show more

Workforce manager vs plant manager skills

Common workforce manager skills
  • HR, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Process Improvement, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Performance Management, 4%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%
Common plant manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%
  • Plant Operations, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%

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