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.
 

supervisor jobs
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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.

 

If you would like to find out more detail on this feel free to use our salary calculator tool.

supervisor salary
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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

Short-haired woman in red talking with her deskmate
Short-haired woman in red talking with her deskmate
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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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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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FAQs

Here are the most asked questions about working as a supervisor.

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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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