1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Supervisor

Supervisor

Alternative titles for this job include Team leader, first line manager

Supervisors manage teams of staff and organise their workload.

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become a supervisor

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could take a team leader and supervisor advanced apprenticeship, or a management higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship

More information

Work

You can become a team leader or supervisor by being promoted from within your organisation. In a larger organisation, you may need to complete an in-house management trainee scheme.

Direct application

You'll usually need at least 1 or 2 years' experience in a job to apply directly for team leader or supervisor vacancies. Employers may also want you to have work-based qualifications and evidence of relevant training certificates for the industry you're working in.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers and qualifications in supervisory management from the Chartered Management Institute.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to day tasks may include:

  • planning workloads and rotas
  • allocating tasks to team members
  • briefing teams on targets, initiatives and policy changes
  • monitoring and reporting on team performance, and carrying out individual appraisals
  • keeping up to date with regulations

Working environment

You could work in an office, in a contact centre, in a factory or at a store.

Career path and progression

With training and experience, you could move into middle management and then senior management positions.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Project Management Apprenticeship

  • Wage : £163.13 - £307.88 Weekly
  • Location: NG9 1PF

Leadership and Management Apprentice

  • Wage : £163.13 - £307.88 Weekly
  • Location: Bristol BS1 5AP
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Team Leading Level 2

  • Provider: Chichester College Group
  • Start date: 31 July 2019
  • Location: Chichester

Apprenticeship in Team Leading level 2

  • Provider: REFLECTIONS TRAINING ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 April 2019
  • Location: Bristol
Find courses near you

Related careers

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No