Shift Supervisor Job Description
Your complete shift supervisor job description
How much do shift supervisors make?$9 to $12 per hour
$35,310 average salary for full-time positions
Take Note:Competition for these jobs is increasing
Strong communication skills are a must
Shift supervisor job description: Job Summary
This job is a solid first rung on the management career ladder. Shift supervisors are in charge of leading employees during their assigned time period. They coordinate schedules, assign responsibilities and make sure that everything runs smoothly when they’re on the clock. If you’re considering this job you need to be able to provide feedback and guidance to employees, work shifts of eight hours or more and assume responsibility your employees’ production.
Shift supervisor job description: Job Skills & Requirements
Education: high school diploma or equivalent.
Leadership: Positions where you are in charge of other employees teach leadership, but having some prior experience can also give you a leg up when you’re applying. Church groups, school organizations, hobby clubs and volunteering activities are all potential opportunities to work on your leadership skills.
Organization: You may be in charge of coordinating schedules, helping to hire and train new employees, monitoring and reporting activity during your shift and a number of other duties. If you already have a close personal relationship with your day planner you’re well on your way. However, if making it to a movie on time seems like an impossible challenge you might need to practice your time management skills before you tackle this job.
Friendly attitude: If your company deals with customers, you are going to be an important part of their experience. As a supervisor you may be the person who receives and deals with customer feedback and complaints, so prior experience as a customer service representative can give you valuable strengths as a shift supervisor.
Expected Hours:
Shift times and length vary, but you should plan to work for at least eight hours, with overtime when necessary. If your employer offers night, holiday or weekend hours, you will need to be available to work during those times.
Dress the Part:
When in doubt, dress up: as a supervisor you provide an example for how you want your employees to behave when they’re on the job. In retail this might mean dressing in specific company colors. In service industries like restaurants, movie theaters or mechanic shops you may be issued a uniform. Most companies have a formal dress code; the assistant manager or manager should be able to get you a copy.
Job Myth:
Supervisors get to sit back and relax while other people do the work.
Between coordinating schedules, solving personal problems, training new employees, monitoring production quality and reporting to the manager or assistant manager, shift supervisors have their hands full. Don’t apply for this position if you plan to put your feet up; lazy supervisors create problems for themselves and their employer the minute they set foot in the door (or choose not to). Your employees will look to you as an example of a prime employee. If you’re late, they’ll be late. If you call in often, be ready to scramble to fill vacant shifts. To be a good supervisor, bring your ‘A’-game to work every day. Good employees will follow your lead.
Career Paths:
- Restaurant manager (Averages $40,000 to $45,000/year)
- Office manager (Averages $50,000/year)
- Medical clinic manager (Averages $50,000 to $70,000/year)
Extra Perks:
Discounts: Incentives vary from employer to employer and may include perks like free or discounted meals in a restaurant job or a percentage off of your total purchase in a retail job.
Sales incentives: Some positions will include an opportunity to earn sales commissions.