Supervisor Job Description

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Table Of Contents

Learn about the essential requirements, obligations, responsibilities, and skills that are helpful in a supervisor’s job description.

Supervisors help lead teams by providing thorough, clear instructions and oversight for employee work. However, they aren’t managers because they don’t hire or fire employees. In addition to this, they may handle some administrative duties and assess employee work through performance reviews.

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Supervisor Job Description Template

As a supervisor on our team, you’ll be responsible for being an empathetic and efficient leader for a group of employees. You’ll check in with them regularly to ensure they are optimizing their work time and meeting productivity goals and that the work is high-quality. Our ideal candidate has previous experience leading a medium-sized team, is comfortable working with diverse populations, and has outstanding communication skills.

Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Evaluate employee performance through performance reviews and constructive feedback
  • Supervise and lead a team of employees in carrying out their assigned duties
  • Ensure employees produce correct and quality work
  • Ensure company policies and procedures are followed, especially regarding attendance and deadlines
  • Train employees to develop their skills and enhance productivity
  • Approve work hours and time off
  • Provide good customer service to employees and clients

Supervisor Requirements 

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree are often viewed as more competitive
  • Experience as a supervisor or in a leadership role is preferred but not required
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to be flexible in a high-stress or fast-paced environment
  • Familiarity with Microsoft and/or Google Suite applications

Supervisor Duties And Responsibilities

Evaluate employee performance through performance reviews and constructive feedback

Supervisors must regularly evaluate employee performance to ensure they meet expectations and deliver quality work. This also helps identify problems with operations or interpersonal relations, allowing supervisors to create solutions for a better working environment. This responsibility requires a solid ability to provide constructive feedback and understand what motivates employees to perform their best.

Supervise and lead a team of employees in carrying out their assigned duties

Given the name of their title, supervisors are responsible for leading other employees in their department. Whether delegating responsibilities, having a one-on-one with a team member, or hosting a training, they must have excellent leadership skills and effective communication. Supervisors should also know employee strengths and weaknesses to give employees appropriate tasks.

Ensure company policies and procedures are followed, especially regarding attendance and deadlines 

Supervisors play a critical role in ensuring that company policies and procedures are being followed, especially when it comes to attendance and meeting deadlines. Because meeting compliance standards can involve extra work from a team, prior leadership experience can help a supervisor know how to handle tense situations or an increased workload best.

Approve work hours and time off 

Managing a schedule and a balanced work environment are important duties of a supervisor. When an employee asks for time off, a supervisor should be able to navigate the CRM or company computer system and understand the incoming workload and expectations to know whether the employee’s request is feasible. They should also be willing to consider the team’s needs per the company policy on work absences.

Train employees to develop their skills and enhance productivity

Continuous training is key to having a productive work environment. Employees who feel confident in their job skills and see opportunities for professional growth are more likely to be satisfied with their employment. Supervisors should help inspire this by providing regular training, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, and being available and present as a mentor.

Supervisor Salary And Job Outlook

Median National Salary: $107,360/year

Education Required: High school diploma, but a bachelor’s degree is often preferred

Number of Jobs: 377,800

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)

The Bottom Line

Supervisors can work in almost any industry, so there are many opportunities to lead a team within your expertise. If you’re ready to jump from team member to management, it’s time to start looking. But you’ll need to know where employers look for candidates. Check our list of the best free job posting sites to help. If you want to add a supervisor to your team, post your supervisor job description on ZipRecruiter!