what is a supervisor?
Supervisors are usually lower-level management. As a supervisor, you are responsible for overseeing the workflow in your department. You will notice that this is a complex role that requires you to do more than oversee other people's work. Some of your responsibilities include coaching those under you, supervising the work of others, and, at times, resolving issues that arise between those with whom you work.
the ideal candidate
You may be the ideal candidate for a supervisor role if you have the ability to train and guide employees. You need to become well-versed in the procedures linked to your responsibilities. As a supervisor, you have a set of metrics to meet. Your job is results-driven and results-focused.
goals and metrics
Supervisors are keenly interested in the overall success of the people and departments they oversee. Your goal is to ensure that operations happen efficiently and productively. The managerial staff relies on you to ensure profitability and long-term sustainable growth. You will be trusted to meet guidelines and take the initiative to organize, communicate, and maintain the people and operations under your purview. You are also responsible for ensuring adherence to legal and company policies. If the need arises, you may be required to undertake disciplinary actions.
average salary of supervisors
The average supervisor salary in Australia is $78,716 per year or $40.37 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $63,945 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $115,000 per year.
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salary by state
In addition to the skill level, you have in the industry you work in, the average supervisor salary varies by city and state.
For example, the average salary of a supervisor in NSW is $104,328 per year compared to $89,029 in Victoria and $86,336 in Queensland.
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salary by industry
As a supervisor, you make more than average if you are the following type:
- Engineering supervisor
- Mechanical supervisor
- Manufacturing/operations supervisor
- Office administration supervisor
- Information systems supervisor
An engineering supervisor has an average salary of $160,660. The average Information Systems Supervisor salary in Australia is A$132,484 as of March 19, 2021, but the range typically falls between A$98,316 and A$159,219.
The average Office administration supervisor salary in Australia is A$85,465 as of March 19, 2021, but the range typically falls between A$64,663 and A$113,344.
Of course, the higher pay in these industries is indicative of a higher level of responsibilities and higher educational requirements to obtain these positions.
If you would like to find out more detail on this feel free to use our salary calculator tool.
types of supervisors
There are as many supervisor roles as there are businesses out there. In most organisations, there is a distinction between the roles and responsibilities of a manager and those of a supervisor. Managers have an external focus, while supervisors are more internally focused.
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project supervisor
As a project supervisor, you supervise the work underneath the project manager. You’ll work to create a plan for the project and establish the resources so that each phase of the project is completed on time and in harmony with management’s instructions. Project supervisors need to understand each component of a project and how they harmonize with other project components.
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office supervisor
Office supervisors oversee administrative tasks inside the office. You make sure these tasks are performed in a timely and adequate manner. You are responsible for administrative tasks like filling out reports and ordering supplies.
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operation supervisor
An operation supervisor oversees the activities of the specific department or specific area within an organisation. Your goal is to improve operating processes and then report to upper management.
working as a supervisor
In this section, you'll learn what your duties and responsibilities will be. You'll also discover factors that could impact your work schedule, work environment, and job outlook.
duties & responsibilities
As a supervisor, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day work done by employees. Depending on where you work, you might manage a team or an entire department or be responsible for a particular shift.
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communication skills
A good supervisor is a good communicator. A key part of your job is transmitting the ideas and requirements of upper management to employees. You are also responsible for communicating employee concerns and performance issues to upper management. You should be an expert in your field and have the ability to manage day-to-day operations with little oversight effectively.
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managing workflow
The most important task you have is managing your team. You are responsible for overseeing or even creating your team's workflow. This means laying out the tasks required to complete a job. You have to define goals, monitor team performance, and effectively communicate team objectives.
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training new hires
When a new employee is hired, you play an integral role in helping them understand and become acclimated to their new job. You also help your team learn how to work with their new colleague. This might require you to explain company policies, explain job duties, or guide them through onboarding activities. You might work closely with Human Resources to ensure that new hires get the guidance they need to be successful.
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interacting with HR and upper management
Supervisors are responsible for letting HR and senior management know how teams and individuals are performing. This means you are responsible for evaluating team members and recording things like:
- Punctuality
- Professionalism
- Ability to meet performance goals
- Disciplinary issues
- Adherence to company policies.
You will also be required to make recommendations to senior management on how the above-mentioned plans can be improved.
work environment
Your work environment will vary based on the industry you are in. For example, a construction supervisor may work outdoors on a construction site. An office supervisor may work in an office environment.
In a restaurant environment, a kitchen supervisor will be in the back of the house whereas an individual supervising the waitstaff is stationed in the front of the house.
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adapting to change
If you become a supervisor due to an internal hire, you have to adapt from being a team member to now have the responsibility to guide and supervise workers. This can be an awkward transition for all parties involved.
work schedule
As a supervisor, you are in a mid-to a lower-management position. While some supervisors work a set schedule of 40 hours a week, generally, mid-management jobs require no less than 50 hours. Upper management relies heavily on supervisors to oversee the work of individual employees. This means long workdays and long workweeks.
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varies by field
You can get a feel for the number of hours you need to work by looking at the requirements of other employees 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 as, if not longer than, many of the other employees. Conversely, if most people work a 40-hour week in your field and it’s unusual to see people working over 50 hours, you should expect your schedule to be the same.
job outlook
The job outlook for supervisors in Australia is extremely positive. According to the Australian Government Job Outlook, managers and supervisors should see substantial growth over the next five years. This makes supervisor positions some of the fastest-growing positions. This is because workers in all industries need continual instruction, management, and guidance.
education & qualifications
The requirements you will need to meet will vary based on what your employer prefers. Some employers require that a supervisor has a high school education to qualify. Other employers require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree or better.
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prior experience
Employers might hire you without a degree if you have previous industry experience or prior experience in leadership roles. In addition to experience, those who have gone through office administration or business administration courses may qualify for office supervisor positions.
Courses in business management administration provide guidelines on human resource management, general management, and organisational behaviour. These courses prepare you to supervise or lead others in the work environment.
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specific degrees
To be a supervisor in some fields, you may need to obtain a specific degree. For example, if you want to be a nursing supervisor, you need to have a nursing degree. The same is true with engineering supervisors. You will need to have already received your degree as an engineer to qualify for a leadership role.
skills & competencies
Communication is one of the most crucial soft skills you need to have as a supervisor. You need to develop communication skills, listening techniques, and nonverbal strategies to improve conversations. You need to have the right balance between managing a heavy workload and taking the time needed to communicate with employees.
You will need to bring the conversation to an end when things have dragged out too long and give brief updates to your team and upper management in a succinct manner.
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conflict resolution
As a supervisor, you should be able to manage conflict well. You will need to help issues come to a resolution and create an environment conducive to building good relationships.
You need to be able to define and identify conflict styles. It would help if you understood why conflicts are happening and follow proven methodologies for resolving conflict while improving your team’s productivity and organisation.
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leadership
As a leader, you will bring accountability to your teams. You must build a motivating, supportive work environment. As a leader, you are responsible for managing and delegating responsibilities.
This means being able to identify your team’s strengths and weaknesses. You should be able to effectively take advantage of the skill set of each team member.
FAQs
Here are the most asked questions 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 are required to manage a team, a department, or a shift.
You are the intermediary who delivers communication between the employees and management and vice versa.
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What is the meaning of supervisor?
A supervisor is defined as an individual who supervises workers or someone responsible for supervising the work done by others. For example, in a factory setting, a supervisor would be responsible for overseeing the work done by subordinate employees.
A supervisor may also be referred to as the boss, chief, or superintendent.
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Is a supervisor a manager?
No. Although the terms are used interchangeably by some, 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 to subordinate employees do certain aspects of the job. Supervisors serve as the intermediary between employees and management.
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What are the 5 roles of a supervisor?
A supervisor has five basic roles. They are:
- Educator – For example, you become an educator when you teach new team members how to do their job.
- Sponsor – This includes identifying your employees' skills and helping them showcase their strengths and talents.
- Coach – To do this, you need to explain, encourage, and correct your employees.
- Counsel – When an employee has problems that impact their performance, you step in to help them correct these issues to mitigate disciplinary action.
- Director – If performance problems continue, you may need to recommend alternatives and consequences.
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What is expected of a supervisor?
You are responsible for seeing to it that everything operates smoothly in your area of responsibility. You must encourage teamwork, provide clear and regular communication, and address conflicts when they arise.
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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 will need to be a leader who delegates tasks and manage a variety of skills.
Critical thinking and the ability to understand problem-solving logically are important parts of your role. Interpersonal skills will allow you to communicate with employees and management. You will need to be able to manage your time and set priorities.
working with randstad as a supervisor
Working as a supervisor offers several benefits. You typically make more money than subordinate employees. You are also in line to get improved benefits, more vacation time, and even bonuses, depending on the position.
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increased responsibility
Increased responsibility feels good because it shows that you are trusted to make important decisions. As a supervisor, you will be in charge of employee schedules, ordering supplies, and working within a budget.
Depending on your area of work, you may be responsible for interviewing people and training them to become a valued part of the team. It's a job with a lot of responsibility, but this is a major perk for the right individual.
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build a career
As a supervisor, you are well on your way to turning your job into a career. Some supervisors go on to become managers and general managers and even take on regional responsibilities.
As a bonus, the experience you garner as a manager will be used in other places. The improved communication, conflict resolution, and time management you develop prepare you to take on greater roles within the company or elsewhere if your situation requires it.
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value
In modern society, people value titles. Being able to say that you are the supervisor sounds more impressive than saying you are an employee. You are able to transmit that value to others by making your team more capable and successful.