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Foreman Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Last updated: April 15, 2023

A Forman, or Construction Forman, is responsible for overseeing daily operations at a worksite to ensure the completion of projects in a safe and efficient manner. Their duties include hiring Construction Workers and trade professionals to perform specific tasks, monitoring budgeting expenses for Workers, supplies or tools and reviewing laws and regulations to maintain a safe work environment.

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Foreman Duties and Responsibilities

A Foreman is a top supervisory role for locations such as construction sites. With their industry experience and formal training, people in this role are able to direct, supervise and troubleshoot routine issues that occur on the job site. In addition to ensuring that safety rules are followed on the site at all times and developing work schedules based on employee and contractor availability, they are also responsible for: 

  • Coordinating daily tasks according to priorities and plans, making changes when necessary due to weather, supply, delivery and personnel
  • Delegating individual responsibilities and projects to crew members and contractors
  • Recruiting, hiring, training, managing and mentoring employees and contractors
  • Providing adequate resources and staffing to meet project schedules, laws, regulations, best practices and safety needs
  • Emphasizing safe use of tools, machinery and equipment while providing training on safety gear, helmets and procedures
  • Developing and managing project budgets and quality standards for all sites
  • Resolving conflicts or miscommunications quickly and amicably
  • Regularly reporting project status to supervisors, site engineers and other officials
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Foreman Job Description Examples

What Does a Foreman Do?

Foremen typically work for construction companies or warehouses to ensure the productivity of daily operations. They work closely with the management team to determine hiring needs, deadlines for specific tasks, and safety protocols to enforce among Workers. Their job is to manage projects onsite and host meetings with teams of Construction Workers to establish project deadlines, safety procedures, work schedules or payment details. They may also be responsible for using their trade experience to participate in construction projects.

Foreman Skills and Qualifications

To maximize efficiency and productivity, it is crucial for a Foreman to possess analytical skills for handling unexpected issues and delays while resolving any problems that may arise. It’s also helpful for a Foreman to possess the following qualifications and skills:

  • Customer-service skills to communicate with inspectors and administration to develop a positive working relationship.
  • Decision-making skills for selecting personnel and subcontractors for specific tasks and jobs to meet deadlines and budgets.
  • Initiative for generating their own business opportunities and being proactive in locating new clients. Many foremen market the companies that employ them while bidding on jobs.
  • Leadership skills for effectively delegating tasks to lower-level managers, subcontractors and construction workers.
  • Speaking skills for providing clear orders, explaining complex information to clients and construction workers and discussing technical details with other building specialists.
  • Technical skills for interpreting construction methods and technologies along with contracts and technical drawings.
  • Time-management skills to meet deadlines and ensuring construction phases are completed on time so that the next phase can start.
  • Writing skills for writing budgets, proposals and plans along with documenting work progress for clients and others involved.

Foreman Salary Expectations

Foremen have an average salary of $23.23 per hour. This information is based on 4,751 anonymously submitted salaries to Indeed by users and employees, along with data collected current and past job postings on Indeed from the last 36 months.

Foreman Education and Training Requirements

While the Foreman job only requires a high school diploma, an associate degree in an industry-relevant field like building systems, power technology, equipment operation, construction or carpentry is often preferred. Typically, individuals with experience as an apprentice or construction worker are more likely to attain the position of Foreman. Coursework in mathematics, computer skills, welding, industrial technology and agricultural mechanics is especially helpful.

Foreman Experience Requirements

Experience requirements for a Foreman position include proven experience as a Foreman for other construction sites, in-depth knowledge of OSHA guidelines, equipment and construction procedures and an understanding of hydraulic and electrical systems.

Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

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Frequently asked questions about Foremen

What is the difference between a Foreman and a General Foreman?

In certain situations, construction companies use the titles “Foreman” and “General Foreman” interchangeably to describe the person in charge of a construction crew at the job site. However, construction companies may hire both a Foreman and General Foreman when carrying out large construction projects. For example, a General Forman has the task of overseeing all ongoing construction projects at construction sites. In contrast, a Foreman is in charge of a team of Construction Workers to oversee the completion of one project at the construction site.

What are the daily duties of a Foreman?

On a typical day, the Foreman starts by reviewing the staff schedule to determine who will be on site. They check the weather to determine whether there is a chance of rain, snow or other inclimate weather conditions that may hinder their work. Once all Construction Workers arrive to the job site, the Foreman holds a meeting to determine their goals and objectives for the day. They delegate tasks among their team members and oversee the beginning of operations. Foremen also assist their team in the completion of certain tasks like drilling holes, moving soil or gravel and pouring concrete using machinery.

What qualities make a good Foreman?

A good Foreman is someone with a natural ability to lead. This quality enables them to oversee a team of Construction Workers. They need to have excellent time management to ensure that their team completes their tasks in an appropriate time frame. They also need to have excellent verbal communication to relay information between management and the onsite crew. Further, a good Foreman should have a few years of experience working in construction or a related role, enabling them to partake in certain tasks or operate construction equipment to help their team.

A good Foreman also has a commitment to safe working practices and communicates with the management team to make them aware of potential hazards.

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