First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand Career

Job Description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of helpers, laborers, or material movers, hand.


Is First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand the right career path for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors!

First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand Career

What First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hands do:

  • Review work throughout the work process and at completion to ensure that it has been performed properly.
  • Collaborate with workers and managers to solve work-related problems.
  • Resolve personnel problems, complaints, or formal grievances when possible, or refer them to higher-level supervisors for resolution.
  • Maintain a safe working environment by monitoring safety procedures and equipment.
  • Inform designated employees or departments of items loaded or problems encountered.
  • Plan work schedules and assign duties to maintain adequate staff for effective performance of activities and response to fluctuating workloads.
  • Counsel employees in work-related activities, personal growth, or career development.
  • Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.
  • Assess training needs of staff and arrange for or provide appropriate instruction.
  • Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, or disciplinary measures.
  • Prepare and maintain work records and reports of information such as employee time and wages, daily receipts, or inspection results.
  • Transmit and explain work orders to laborers.
  • Perform the same work duties as those supervised, or perform more difficult or skilled tasks or assist in their performance.
  • Check specifications of materials loaded or unloaded against information contained in work orders.
  • Estimate material, time, and staffing requirements for a given project, based on work orders, job specifications, and experience.
  • Inspect equipment for wear and for conformance to specifications.
  • Conduct staff meetings to relay general information or to address specific topics, such as safety.
  • Participate in the hiring process by reviewing credentials, conducting interviews, or making hiring decisions or recommendations.
  • Examine freight to determine loading sequences.
  • Inventory supplies and requisition or purchase additional items, as necessary.
  • Inspect job sites to determine the extent of maintenance or repairs needed.
  • Schedule times of shipment and modes of transportation for materials.
  • Provide assistance in balancing books, tracking, monitoring, or projecting a unit's budget needs, and in developing unit policies and procedures.
  • Quote prices to customers.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Holland Code Chart for a First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand