what is an assistant manager?
An assistant manager implements workflow procedures under the instruction of a manager. As an assistant manager, you conduct various tasks, such as hiring and training new employees and providing customer support. You are expected to monitor the company's spending patterns and budgeting. You also ensure that the company develops proper customer relationships and that employees perform optimally.
As an assistant manager, you have the authority and leadership over other employees. You can delegate work to employees and follow up on fulfilling pending tasks. Most assistant managers assist key executives in keeping the work flowing. You are in charge of the team when the executive is away.
As an assistant manager, you should have significant experience in the field you expect to manage. This experience is valuable for solving numerous workplace problems, giving directions and recommendations, and completing other tasks that require practical knowledge. For instance, many companies need assistant managers who are skilled at problem-solving and organisation. Proving that you have excellent interpersonal skills can make you an ideal candidate.
assistant manager jobsaverage assistant manager salary
The median remuneration package of an assistant manager is $63,000 per year. Assistant managers with minimal experience earn a salary of $55,000 annually. When you have built your experience in the field, you can receive a salary of over $70,000 per year. Some employers offer additional monetary benefits for assistant managers.
what factors affect an assistant manager's salary?
Experience is a major determining factor for salaries. Experienced assistant managers have additional skills and hands-on experience in managing workers. These skills enable them to handle complex duties and run the office efficiently. The industry and area of specialisation also influence your earnings. For instance, if you work in a hospital, you are likely to earn more than someone working in retail. Working in large companies, such as those in the mining industry, also improves your remuneration since they have the resources to offer higher salaries.
Want to know what you will earn as an assistant manager? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of assistant managers
The types of assistant managers depend on the business sector they work in. Some types of assistant managers include:
- assistant marketing manager: as an assistant manager in the marketing department, you assist the marketing manager in the departmental functions. You schedule meetings with marketing executives, assign duties and measure their performance. You also implement the instructions of the marketing manager to ensure employees achieve the desired objectives.
- assistant store manager: the duties of an assistant store manager can vary depending on the size and type of store they are managing. However, some common duties may include: assisting the store manager with day-to-day operations, supervising and motivating staff, ensuring high levels of customer service, achieving sales targets, managing stock levels and ordering new stock, dealing with customer queries and complaints
- hospitality assistant manager: as a hospitality assistant manager you are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospitality department. You oversee the staff and ensure that all guests are satisfied with their experience. You may also be responsible for budgeting and planning for the department.
- assistant hospital manager: when you are an assistant manager in a hospital, you assist the manager with administrative functions. Your job includes allocating duties to hospital staff and ensuring patients receive the best services.
- assistant procurement manager: in procurement, an assistant manager ensures that the functions of the procurement office run smoothly. You keep track of the inventory and assist the procurement manager with looking for suppliers and reviewing tenders.
- assistant administrative manager: as an assistant administration manager, you run the office and supervise all the administrative functions. Your job includes hiring administrative workers and planning their schedules.
working as an assistant manager
When you are an assistant manager, you oversee various business operations and implement goals set by the manager. Here are some of the duties and work schedules of an assistant manager:
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assistant manager job description
Some of the tasks of an assistant manager include:
- providing employee support: supporting employees is crucial to maintain their efficiency and keep them satisfied by ensuring the company meets their needs. To do that, you should be an effective intermediary between the management and the employees. It is vital to ensure your superiors receive important employee feedback to keep the employer/employee relationship healthy. You should also expect to make critical changes to the workplace workflows and develop and implement the relevant business policies to keep the employees comfortable.
- supporting the manager by recruiting, hiring and training new employees
- standing in for the management: as an assistant manager, you work with the manager and temporarily assume their duties when they are absent. It is critical to understand the main aspects of the manager's job and take up those duties as necessary. Most employers look for assistant managers with the willingness and ability to be creative.
- handling and resolving customer queries and complaints: in any organisation providing services or goods, there will always be one or more unhappy customers, regardless of the industry. As the assistant manager, you will likely be the first person to assist customers with complaints. In this case, your job will be listening to and calming down customers and effectively addressing their issues. To be successful in this position, it is, therefore, crucial to have tolerance, resilience and very strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- making sure projects are successful: one of your biggest tasks as an assistant manager is to lead one or more teams on different initiatives. In this regard, you act as a project manager and ensure all the assigned projects are completed as expected. One of the critical things is defining the project's scope clearly. You should also organise the necessary resources to accomplish the goal, manage budgets, develop schedules and prepare reports.
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work environment
The typical work environment for an assistant manager comprises the regular office space and other areas of the business premises, such as warehouses. You may need to travel regularly to ensure your teams and projects are on track. On top of that, assistant managers usually work in both the private and public sectors. Sometimes, the role requires working outdoors and attending conferences or tradeshows on behalf of the manager. While you can perform some functions remotely or work from home, you must supervise some projects in person.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include marketing managers, operations managers, accountants, procurement managers and logistics managers. You might also be working in close proximity to nurses and doctors, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, office managers, sales managers, sales consultants, administration assistants and sales executives.
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work schedule
An assistant manager's work schedule usually depends on the specific industry and organisation. Most assistant managers work the entire 40-hour week. In some sectors, like healthcare, you work in shifts. That means you could work late at night or early in the morning. Assistant managers also work on weekends, holidays and nights, particularly if an urgent project with a strict deadline is underway.
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job outlook
You have many opportunities as an assistant manager to accelerate your career. After working under a manager and achieving considerable success in your work, the next step should be to fill your manager's shoes. You can also get a managerial job at a different company or industry since a manager's duties and responsibilities are largely the same across industries and sectors. You can become a general manager, middle manager, and eventually, a top-level manager if you stick to your line of work.
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advantages of finding an assistant manager job through randstad
Finding your assistant manager 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 an assistant manager 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.
education and skills
When pursuing a career as an assistant manager, you need the following qualifications:
- college training: a bachelor's degree isn't compulsory to become an assistant manager, but it is advisable to have some post-secondary education. For instance, you can complete a Certificate IV in leadership and management or pursue a diploma in leadership and management. If you want to do a bachelor's degree, aim for one in business or business management.
- work experience: work experience is critical when you want to become an assistant manager. You can start with entry-level jobs in your preferred field. For instance, start as an administrative assistant and gain work experience.
assistant manager skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of an assistant manager include:
- commercial acumen: the ability to understand and make decisions in a commercial context. It includes understanding financial information and using it to make decisions, as well as an understanding of the market and the competition.
- hospitality management: this involves coordinating the activities of employees and other staff members to ensure that guests have a positive experience.
- results focused: this skill is about being able to produce results that are focused on the task at hand. This means being able to stay focused on the task at hand and not letting other distractions get in the way.
- customer service skills: the ability to communicate clearly, efficiently, and politely with customers; the ability to listen to and understand customer inquiries and concerns, the ability to resolve customer complaints in a satisfactory manner and the ability to take initiative to improve the customer service experience.
- communication skills: as an assistant manager, you meet with clients and work with various teams. You need good communication skills to convey information effectively and professionally to maintain a good working relationship with employees and customers.
- interpersonal skills: as an assistant manager, interpersonal skills like positivity, calmness, and fairness are invaluable. These qualities help you build trust and good relationships with your employees.
- decision-making skills: as an assistant manager, you make on-the-spot decisions on various issues. When the manager isn't around, your job is to analyse the situation and make informed decisions promptly.
- problem-solving skills: as an assistant manager, you should be good at solving problems. When the manager delegates tasks to you, they expect you to consider all the aspects and solve issues.
FAQs about working as an assistant manager
Here are the most asked questions about working as an assistant manager:
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what is the role of an assistant manager?
An assistant manager ensures a department, team, or organisation runs smoothly by performing managerial tasks. They also schedule employee work times, evaluate performance and ensure customers are satisfied. Generally, the assistant manager assists the manager in ensuring the flawless running of the organisation's everyday operations.
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is an assistant manager a good position?
Yes. Being an assistant manager comes with many benefits. It brings a sense of fulfilment since you implement various policies and participate in completing projects. You also make a difference in your company by ensuring operations run smoothly, and employees perform optimally.
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What is the qualification of an assistant manager?
Besides having Year 10 or college qualifications, most companies require applicants to have a bachelor's degree or relevant post-high-school training. Some areas you should be well-versed in include management and business administration. Most organisations provide training for this position and may require you to hold a Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) certificate or a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate.
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what level is an assistant manager?
In a company, an assistant manager is usually one level below a manager. Assistant managers have the authority to conduct most of the manager's functions. In most cases, the assistant manager is the link between top management, employees, and customers.
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what comes after the assistant manager?
As an assistant manager, you have various opportunities for career progression. Depending on your specialism, you can progress to top-level management roles in different departments.
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how do I apply for an assistant manager vacancy?
Applying for an assistant manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our assistant manager job offers. Or simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.