Job Description for an Area Supervisor
Area supervisors oversee the day-to-day running of a specific section of a business, such a manufacturing area or construction site. While area supervisors are generally not expected to directly work with the area they supervise, they are expected to be knowledgeable about the procedures and processes to effectively manage the area. This experience often comes from being an employee of the area itself for a period of time prior to filling a supervisory role.
Other People Are Reading
-
Responsibilities
-
Area supervisors oversee and coordinate activities of the employees they supervise. The specific activities depend upon the type of business and the area that the supervisor is managing. The supervisor may also be responsible for maintaining records, such as production averages, and managing employee time and vacations. Depending upon the area of work, the supervisor might also have responsibilities related to staff recruitment, performance and professional development.
Key Skills
-
Experience in the industry being supervised is fundamental for an area supervisor, as it not only assists with applicable experience but also serves to build credibility among subordinate employees. It is essential for the manager to have an excellent understanding of current trends within the industry and the business itself. Another essential skill is well-developed, strong communication skills as the supervisor will be required to effectively communicate with management and subordinate employees in both verbal and nonverbal methods. Finally, attention to detail is critical to being an area supervisor, particularly if supervising production areas.
-
Education
-
While a bachelor's degree is often not required to be a supervisor in certain industries (such as construction or production), it may be a requirement for other more professional industries. However, independent of industry, it is highly regarded as a qualification for the position. In conjunction with education, most supervisors are required to have commiserate experience to justify a supervisory position.
Experience
-
Previous experience in the area of supervision is a must. In addition, previous supervisory experience is highly regarded and considered evidence that the person possess the ability to manage an individual workforce. Depending upon the industry, specific areas of experience, such as with safety, project management, health and environmental services, may also add to a supervisor's tangible value.
Compensation
-
Salaries for supervisors are highly variant upon industry, experience and number of employees being supervised. For example, a sales supervisor in the wholesale electronic industry can expect to earn an average of $81,000 a year, while a department store supervisor can expect roughly $30,000 a year. As a general guideline, the more professional industries, such as pharmaceuticals or medicine, will earn more money as a supervisor than an individual supervising a retail store or construction site.
-
References
- Photo Credit supervisors image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
