what is a supervisor?
As a supervisor, you oversee a team or department's activities, programmes and functions. You are the go-to person in charge of a department or activity in the organisation. In most companies, a supervisor is next in line after a manager as they are responsible for employees in their department.
Unlike managers, a supervisor is hands-on and oversees the daily performance of a small team or department. That means they oversee one aspect of the company by supervising a particular project. As a supervisor, you also hire, dismiss or recommend workers for promotions.
Supervisors are important to an organisation since their functions improve the company's productivity and ensure projects are completed within the stipulated time. The supervisor role is popular in industrial and administrative settings that require close monitoring of various activities and teams. To become an effective supervisor, you need strong leadership skills to create a supportive work environment for workers. You also need cultural awareness to recognise diversity and its impact on the workplace.
Would working as a supervisor suit your leadership skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a supervisor role.
supervisor jobsaverage supervisor salary
According to National Careers, a new supervisor starts with a £15,000 compensation package per year. Experienced supervisors take home an average salary of £30,000 per year. The compensation package is usually inclusive of allowances provided by the employer, such as paid holidays and sick days. You can boost your salary with overtime pay and bonuses. Employers offer overtime pay at higher hourly rates, while some offer yearly bonuses.
how to increase the salary of a supervisor
You can expect a higher compensation package when you have experience in a supervisory role. Your experience shows the skills and values you bring to the team, improving your salary prospects. Educational qualifications also raise your take-home pay.
The industry impacts your salary depending on the job complexity and whether the position is critical for the business sector. For instance, in manufacturing and other industrial settings, the role of supervisors is crucial since they oversee the activities of various teams in the production process. Therefore, working in the manufacturing sector earns you a higher salary compared with the business administration sector.
types of supervisors
Supervisors work in various industries and undertake diverse roles, for example maintenance supervisors, site supervisors and cleaning supervisors. Some of the specialisms also include:
- project supervisor: as a project supervisor, you oversee team members and work beneath the project manager. Your job is to create a plan for the project. You also establish the resources to ensure each project phase is completed on time and in accordance with the management's instructions. Project supervisors need to understand the project components and how they fit with other aspects of a project.
- office supervisor: as an office supervisor, you oversee administrative tasks. You make sure the tasks are performed in a timely and efficient manner.
- operations supervisor: an operations supervisor oversees the activities of a specific department or area within an organisation. Your goal is to improve operating processes and report to upper management. You also monitor the performance of each employee and ensure the team is productive.
working as a supervisor
As a supervisor, you will be a team leader, ensuring that operations and project activities are completed effectively and correctly. Let's explore the daily tasks and work environment of a supervisor.
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supervisor job description
A supervisor has various responsibilities, including:
- managing workflow: as a supervisor, you manage the activities of a team or department. That means you create workflows and monitor team members to ensure everyone is productive. This includes determining the tasks required to complete a job. You also define the objectives of a project or an activity and communicate expectations to team members.
- training new employees: as a supervisor, you are part of the hiring process. When new workers join your team, you support them during the transition period. You provide orientation and train them on the team's duties and expectations before they start work. You also explain company policies and ensure new employees receive the necessary information from the human resources department.
- managing team schedules: as a supervisor, you are tasked with creating work schedules and routines for your team. For instance, if the employees work in shifts, you manage the schedule and ensure workers complete their duties during the shift. You should be flexible when employees need to make changes to schedules.
- evaluating team members' performance: supervisors spend most of their time with employees and often have to write performance reviews and share employee feedback. That means you participate in the creation of goals and determine the rewards for various achievements.
- revolving employee disputes: as a supervisor, your job involves resolving employee grievances. In most companies, employees take their grievances to their supervisors before speaking with the HR department. You also deal with employee disputes and report any violations of company policies to HR.
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work environment
Your work environment varies based on the industry you work in. For example, a construction supervisor works outdoors on a construction site. An office supervisor mostly works in an office environment. In restaurants, a kitchen supervisor works behind the scenes, whereas an individual supervising the wait staff works front of house. A supervisor in a factory or warehouse spends hours in climate-controlled indoor settings. The job involves minimal travelling since most duties are performed in the same location. You also need to be physically present to perform your duties, which means you cannot work from home.
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who are your colleagues?
As a supervisor, you can work in hotels, manufacturing companies or construction. Your colleagues in various settings include hotel managers, chefs and construction managers. You may also work with project managers and HR managers, as well as other specialists like cost estimators, warehouse workers and factory managers.
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work schedule
As a supervisor, you are in the middle to lower management position. While some supervisors work 40 hours a week, mid-management jobs often require 50 hours. Upper management relies heavily on supervisors to oversee the work of individual employees. This means long workdays and workweeks.
You can get a feel for the number of hours you need to work by looking at other employees' requirements in the same field. For example, if you are in an area where all employees are expected to work long hours, you should expect to work as long or longer than many other employees. Conversely, if most people work a 40-hour week in your field, you should expect your schedule to be similar.
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job outlook
Supervisors work in middle management, setting them up for a great career in leadership roles. For instance, you can move to a managerial position and other senior leadership roles. As a supervisor, you have the opportunity to advance to a project manager, operations manager or branch manager role. Some specialise in working for a specific industry and progress to managerial roles like restaurant or hotel manager, factory manager or construction manager.
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advantages of finding a supervisor job through randstad
Finding your supervisor job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a supervisor is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
supervisor education and skills
Some supervisory roles rely on work experience instead of educational qualifications. However, if you want to progress faster in the role, consider the following academic qualifications:
- degree and apprenticeships: a bachelor's degree in business or management helps you to become a supervisor. You can also pursue team leader or advanced supervisor apprenticeships to join the field.
- work experience: most employers often provide on-the-job training, but you need prior experience to excel in the role. Most supervisors start with entry-level jobs and learn the skills they need as they work towards advancement.
supervisor skills and competencies
Some of the qualities that a supervisor needs include:
- communication skills: as a supervisor, communication skills are vital since you relay information to employees and convey expectations and feedback. Effective communication helps you build trust with team members.
- leadership skills: as a supervisor, you must inspire and motivate your team members to ensure they perform efficiently. You also need leadership skills to guide employees through difficult situations.
- problem-solving skills: as a supervisor, you need to find solutions to problems that crop up among team members. Your problem-solving skills also help you find solutions to workplace challenges.
- teamwork skills: as a supervisor, you work with a team of employees. Interpersonal skills are important to improve collaboration with your team members.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a supervisor
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what is the role of a supervisor?
A supervisor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day performance of employees. The responsibilities vary based on the company. In most cases, you manage a team, department or shift. You are the intermed.
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what is the meaning of supervisor?
A supervisor is an individual who supervises workers or is responsible for overseeing the work done by others. For example, in a factory setting, a supervisor oversees the work done by subordinate employees. A supervisor may also be called a foreperson, gaffer, or team leader.
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is a supervisor a manager?
Although some people use the terms interchangeably, there are distinct differences between the responsibilities of a manager and a supervisor. A manager has the responsibility of making decisions. A supervisor is responsible for carrying out those decisions. Their role may include outlining how other employees do certain aspects of the job. Supervisors serve as the intermediary between employees and management.
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what skills should a supervisor have?
Supervisors should be excellent communicators. You need to know how to identify and resolve conflict. You need to be a leader who delegates tasks and manages a wide range of skills. Critical thinking and the ability to understand problem-solving logically are also important parts of your role.
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how do I apply for a supervisor vacancy?
Applying for a supervisor job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our supervisor job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
