Supervisor
A supervisor plays a crucial role in the workforce by overseeing the activities of employees, ensuring that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently. Supervisors are found in nearly every industry, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and construction. They are responsible for managing personnel, monitoring productivity, assigning work shifts, and conducting employee evaluations. With an average yearly median earnings of approximately $68,620, this position offers financial benefits that reflect the added responsibilities supervisors hold, which include both meeting their own performance goals and supporting their subordinates.
The work environment for supervisors can vary significantly based on the industry, often involving challenging and stressful conditions. Their duties can range from hiring and training staff to ensuring compliance with safety protocols and meeting customer service expectations. While no formal educational requirements are established for supervisors, relevant experience and skills, such as communication and problem-solving, are essential for success. Moreover, effective supervisors often act as mentors, advocating for their employees' professional growth and potentially advancing to higher organizational roles. In summary, the role of a supervisor is vital for maintaining productivity, enhancing employee performance, and fostering a positive work environment.
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Subject Terms
Supervisor
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration, Manufacturing
Interests: Managing personnel, productivity and efficiency, hiring and training, budgets, personnel evaluations
Earnings (Yearly Median): $68,620 per year $32.99 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -2% (Decline)
Entry-Level Education: No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience: None
On-the-job-Training: Typically from one to three months.
Overview
Sphere of Work. Supervisors are responsible for managing the activities of other workers, ensuring that subordinates are performing their jobs properly and efficiently, and delivering the production and customer-service results expected by their superiors. Present in virtually every industry and every type of workplace, supervisors help their employees set and pursue goals, monitor productivity, assign work shifts, track vacations and sick time, and periodically review employee performance. Supervisors must maintain the records of their subordinate employees and frequently report their activity to senior managers and executives.
Work Environment. A supervisor’s work environment varies based on industry. Because there are supervisory positions in almost every industry, supervisors may work in offices, manufacturing plants, retail stores, hospitals, construction sites, and many other work environments. In each of these settings, they and the employees who work for them are expected to meet their job responsibilities in often challenging and stressful work conditions. Unlike employees, supervisors have dual responsibilities—meeting their own production goals and expectations and ensuring their subordinates perform quality work and meet deadlines. This additional responsibility can add to the stress and challenge of the supervisor’s work environment.
Occupation Interest. A supervisor's job is challenging but rewarding—supervisors are compensated for their additional responsibilities. Successful supervisors are advocates for their employees, encouraging their professional growth and success. In this capacity, supervisors are often seen as mentors who help newcomers to a company become familiar with the business’s many systems and requirements. Individuals in supervisory positions are also rewarded by the promise of further promotions. If a supervisor successfully guides lower-level employees toward greater productivity and efficiency, they may have the potential to move higher in the company’s ranks.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a certain level of performance from their employees. In any business, the supervisor ensures that a company’s customer obligations are met through production or service. They are accountable for this production to their immediate supervisor. The supervisor also provides oversight of those who work under them, ensuring that these subordinates are performing their jobs effectively and efficiently. In a manufacturing environment, for example, the supervisor is responsible for ensuring that employees are meeting daily production goals and maintaining production quality. In this setting, the supervisor must also monitor their subordinates’ use of major equipment to ensure that they operate safely and without risk of damage. In a retail setting, the supervisor is responsible for ensuring that staff members are educated about product specifics and that an adequate number of employees are scheduled to meet customer needs. A sales supervisor is responsible for ensuring employees meet their sales quotas.
In most cases, a supervisor does not just monitor the productivity of their subordinates. They hire and train them, assign additional work, establish the employee schedule, and periodically evaluate their performance. They may recommend the employee for promotion or a pay increase based on their knowledge of this performance.
Transportation Directors (184.117-014). Transportation directors formulate policies, programs, and procedures for transportation systems, including schedules, rates, routes, assignment of drivers and vehicles, and other operations.
Service Supervisors (184.167-126). Service supervisors direct and coordinate workers who inspect, maintain, and test distribution lines and install meters and customer-service drops for utilities.
Maintenance Supervisors (184.167-050). Maintenance supervisors direct and coordinate workers’ mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance activities.
Government Service Supervisors (188.137-010). Government service supervisors supervise and coordinate personnel in carrying out departmental objectives in government agencies, using knowledge of agency rules and regulations.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Supervisors work in team environments. The physical environment differs by industry. In any environment, the need for a supervisor is based on the need for production, workplace safety, cost savings, or strong customer relations.
Plant Environment. Supervisors may be found in a wide range of workplace environments. In manufacturing plants and on construction sites, they may be surrounded by heavy equipment and some dangerous chemicals and tools. Supervisors should know the equipment, training, and safety needs in any plant environment.
Human Environment. Supervisors and their subordinates should be able to work in a team environment. They may be surrounded by many other people, some of whom are also members of the organization but work in different departments, others of whom are clients. During this activity, supervisors must keep their teams focused on their tasks and production.
Supervisors are often expected to address uncomfortable situations, including employee issues such as tardiness, personal problems, employee discipline, and termination. The supervisor must be able to balance corporate policy, the facts of the situation, and the interests of the company.
Technological Environment. Supervisors must be proficient with the technical equipment they and their subordinates will be working on. This equipment varies from industry to industry. Manufacturing settings, for example, include conveyor belts, robotic arms, and forklifts, while medical workplaces include cardiac defibrillators, blood-pressure machines, and patient gurneys.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming a supervisor in a given industry should take courses that will give them the basic knowledge and skills they need to work in that industry while managing others. Such classes include math, business, and science. Students are also encouraged to take communications and public speaking courses to help them better connect with their subordinates.
Postsecondary. No specific postsecondary education requirements exist for an employee to become a supervisor. However, a formal college or postgraduate degree in the field in which they work can help the supervisor better guide a team, promote production, and generate profits.
Related Occupations
− Administrative Support Supervisor
− Postmaster and Mail Superintendent
Bibliography
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