what is a shift manager?

As a shift manager, you keep business operations running throughout the day. You supervise frontline operations by assigning tasks to employees and ensuring customer satisfaction during your shift. You also deal with customer complaints or low inventory issues to ensure they don't affect customer satisfaction.

Shift managers often work in 24/7 industries, where staffing is based on shift schedules. For instance, you can work in the hospitality industry to ensure efficient management of restaurants and hotels. You supervise front and back operations and ensure customers are served on time. In retail, you are likely to work in supermarkets and retail stores to ensure everything runs smoothly on the shop floors. You also handle inventory problems and troubleshoot glitches in technology. When you work in manufacturing, you help keep the production cycle moving.

To succeed in the role, you need exceptional time management skills and the ability to work in a busy work environment under high pressure. If you are involved with hiring and training, you need good decision-making skills to pick out the best employees for your shift.

Would working as a shift manager suit your time management and customer service skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a shift manager role.

shift manager jobs
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average shift manager salary

According to ONS, a shift manager receives an average salary of £34,562 per year or £17.72 hourly. Entry-level shift managers earn approximately £29,000 annually due to limited experience. When you have transferrable skills and a few years of experience, your earnings can increase to £44,329 per year.

Shift managers' salaries include medical insurance and transport allowance benefits. You also enjoy other benefits like paid holidays and annual bonuses. When you work overtime, you will earn higher hourly rates.

how to increase your salary as a shift manager

As a shift manager, your salary depends on your experience and education level. Experienced shift managers with multiple transferrable skills are valuable additions to a company and earn higher salaries. Your educational qualifications also influence your salary. Your compensation package reflects additional qualifications if you have extra certifications.

The industry and business sectors you work in affect your wages. For instance, your responsibilities are complex in the manufacturing and production industries. Hence, you earn higher than shift managers working in the hospitality and retail sectors. Consider switching to better-paying business sectors or moving to urban locations to improve your earnings. Cities with huge demands for shift managers have higher compensation packages than smaller towns.

smiling restaurant hostess
smiling restaurant hostess
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types of shift managers

The types of shift managers depend on the industries they work in, including:

  • retail shift managers: as a shift manager working in retail, you ensure smooth operations on shop floors. You handle customer complaints and deal with inventory issues. You also coordinate workers on the premises to ensure customers are attended to promptly.
  • hospitality shift managers: in the hospitality industry, you work in restaurants and hotels managing staff. Besides coordinating hotel waiters, you also ensure the cooks and chefs are on schedule.
  • manufacturing shift managers: as a shift manager, you manage workers on production floors by preparing work schedules and ensuring everyone performs their duties. You also manage the use of manufacturing equipment.
  • warehouse shift managers: warehouses rely on shift managers to organise workers and ensure efficiency in operations. Your job is to assign duties to employees and ensure the warehouse equipment is used efficiently to achieve daily targets.

 

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working as a shift manager

As a shift manager, you play a pivotal role in keeping the company's wheels turning. You align daily goals and operations with the number of employees. Read on to find out the responsibilities and work environment of a shift manager.

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shift manager education and skills

The following qualifications help you to become a shift manager:

  • bachelor's degree: you should pursue a bachelor's degree in hospitality, business management or administration to become a shift manager. The degree prepares you for success in supervision, accounting and scheduling. A degree in a related field like engineering or plant operations is sometimes required. Some employers don't require formal education qualifications if you have years of experience.
  • work experience: work experience in a related field prepares you for your role. For instance, you can start with internships in hotels or production companies. Alternatively, join entry-level roles to gain skills for working in the field.

shift manager skills and competencies

Some of the qualities of a shift manager include:

  • organisation skills: as a shift manager, you handle multiple tasks, from inventory management to scheduling roles. Without proper planning, you will not accomplish most of your responsibilities. You need organisational skills to manage all tasks.
  • management skills: your primary duty is to manage staff and business operations throughout your shift. Hence, you need knowledge of management practices to ensure you achieve set goals. Management skills help you plan your time and deal with conflicts.
  • computing skills: as a shift manager, you use computer software to manage inventory and schedule staff. Computing skills help you perform duties that require the use of computers.
  • communication skills: shift managers need great communication skills to communicate with various stakeholders in the business effectively. You need to communicate with staff to provide clear instructions. Communication skills also help you handle complaints professionally.

 

female and male colleagues having a conversation
female and male colleagues having a conversation
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FAQs

FAQs about working as a shift manager

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