Assistant Managers Job Duties

If you are looking for a career with lots of responsibility, plus the potential for promotion, advancing to an assistant manager position can help. Learning assistant manager duties is often the first step toward a rewarding career in management.

Basics

In the reporting structure, an assistant manager reports to the store or branch manager. There may be more than one assistant; each assistant manager plays a role in helping to run the operation and aids the organization in keeping the unit profitable.

Significance

Charged with supervisory duties, assistant managers are expected to oversee staff. If you become an assistant manager, you will need to understand basic company policies and standard operating procedures. You may also have a role in employee evaluations, which examine and rate performance.

Industries

Assistant manager jobs are especially prevalent in the retail and food service industries. Basically, if you work in a customer service or sales role, your company is highly likely to employ assistant managers in some capacity.

Duties

Assistant managers assume the manager's duties when the manager is absent or working on other projects. In addition, an assistant manager may be assigned specific areas of responsibility, such as scheduling the staff, training, or overseeing a given department.

Considerations

If getting promoted to a store manager position is your goal, an assistant manager job can be the gateway. Many companies promote from within, meaning the organization would rather fill management jobs with assistants than hire someone from outside the company.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
• Alaska Commercial, Assistant Branch Manager Job Description
• Susser Holdings Corporation, Assistant Manager Job Summary

Resources

• Santa Clara University Retail Management Institute