Shift Leader Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Shift Leader, or Shift Manager, is in charge of providing direct supervision to employees at shift-based companies to ensure the business operates correctly. Their duties include covering for employee absences, managing cash drops from the register and resolving problems that occur during their shift.

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Shift Leader duties and responsibilities

A Shift Leader performs leadership, management and organization tasks to ensure team members work efficiently and effectively during their shift. Depending on their industry, their duties and responsibilities include:

  • Organizing shift schedules for team members
  • Monitoring attendance, tardiness and time off 
  • Assigning duties to specific employees based on role and skills
  • Supervising employees and assisting with tasks as necessary
  • Conducting performance reviews and sharing feedback with both upper management and team members
  • Managing employees requests and transgressions
  • Training new and current team members on tasks
  • Handling customer issues and managing conflicts
  • Adhering to company policies and health, safety and employment standards
  • Balancing cash drawers and preparing cash deposits 
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Shift Leader Job Description Examples

 

Example 1

Do you love to make people smile? Can you provide exceptional service? We're looking for a part time Team Members to help prep fruit, cook waffles, and deliver smiles to our community! Experience is a bonus, but no experience is required! Day, evening, and weekend shifts available. Enjoy a free shift yogurt, and other opportunities to learn and expand your role on our team. Please apply if you meet these requirements: · Fun outgoing personality · Committed to excellent guest service · Team Player · Enjoy family environment (serving guest of all ages) · Great work ethic (must not mind dirty work)' ' Work Remotely * No Job Types: Full-time, Part-time Pay: $7.25 - $12.00 per hour Benefits: * 401(k) * Employee discount * Flexible schedule Physical Setting: * Quick service & fast food restaurant Schedule: * Day shift * Holidays * Monday to Friday * Night shift * Weekend availability Supplemental Pay: * Tips * food handlers permit (Preferred) Shift availability: * Day Shift (Preferred) * Night Shift (Preferred) Work Location: One location

Example 2

*Zoup! is Hiring Shift Leaders * *Urgently Hiring! * *Apply Now *[website] Zoup! is a hot restaurant concept – and a cool place to work! We are known for our fantastic food offerings: unique soups, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and our fun, friendly Team Members. We are growing our team and looking for people with an upbeat, enthusiastic attitude who like to make people smile and want to work in and contribute to a positive environment. *Zoup! Shift Leader Responsibilities: * · Ensuring only the highest quality soup, salad, sandwiches and power bowls are served · Supervising Team Members and reinforcing Zoup! policies and procedures · Promoting the Zoup! culture · Adhering to the Zoup! Food Service Code · Correctly processing guest transactions *Zoup! Shift Leader Requirements * · Be able to carry up to 32 lbs. (temps up to 175°F) · Be able to stand on feet for extended periods of time · Willing and able to Reach Out! and engage with our guests · Have basic cash-handling and mathematical skills *The Zoup! Scoop * New to soup? No problem! We offer digital and hands-on training to start your restaurant career. In addition to training, our company culture encourages every member of the team to “Have Fun, Be Proud” and will engage and empower you both personally and professionally. And, we offer: · Competitive wages · Flexible scheduling · No early mornings or late nights · Professional development opportunities · A fun, exciting culture of foodies Check out what our Shift Leaders are saying: [website] *We are hiring now for Full-time and Part-time so apply online or in person today!* [website] Job Types: Full-time, Part-time Pay: $13.00 - $16.00 per hour Benefits: * Employee discount * Flexible schedule * Paid training * Referral program Physical Setting: * Fast casual restaurant Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Day shift * Evening shift * Holidays * Monday to Friday * Night shift * Weekend availability Supplemental Pay: * Tips Experience: * Food service: 1 year (Preferred) * Customer service: 1 year (Preferred) * Shift management: 1 year (Preferred) Work Location: One location

What does a Shift Leader do? 

Shift Leaders serve an important role in shift-based industries like hospitality, food service and retail where they uphold employees to consistent standards of behavior. Their role is to provide managerial support when the Store Manager or other business leader isn’t available on-site. Shift Leaders often share some of the same responsibilities as other employees on their team, plus additional responsibilities like opening or closing the workplace, making changes to the schedule, delegating tasks and signing off on assignments. Shift Managers resolve problems with customers, help employees on the shift troubleshoot problems and document issues to report back to upper management.

Shift Leader skills and qualifications

A Shift Leader uses a variety of soft skills and technical abilities to manage teams of employees. These skills and aptitudes often include:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Leadership skills like decision-making, motivation and goal-setting
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional organization and time management abilities
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate effectively
  • In-depth industry knowledge
  • Understanding of relevant health and safety regulations
  • Comfortable with workplace technology like registers, scheduling software, inventory management software
  • Basic math skills

Shift Leader salary expectations

A Shift Leader makes an average of $12.63 per hour. Pay rate may depend on level of education, experience and geographical location.

Shift Leader education and training requirements

Most Shift Leader candidates have at least a high school diploma or GED. Some candidates may have an associate degree in business administration or management. Though not required, a bachelor’s degree in business or an industry-related field may indicate candidates with more advanced industry knowledge, relevant skills and practical training. Many candidates could benefit from on-the-job training to better transition into their roles.

Some candidates may even have certifications relevant to the industry they work in, including ServSafe certification for food service employees or management certifications in the manufacturing, retail, food service and hospitality industries.

Shift Leader experience requirements

Shift Leaders typically must have experience working as a team member in the industry or setting they’re applying to. For roles that require more complex or specialized responsibilities, a candidate with years of industry experience and/or leadership experience may be preferred. Some roles may focus on basic Shift Leader duties, making them suitable options for candidates with little-to-no leadership experience but previous experience working in the industry. 

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Frequently asked questions about Shift Leaders

 

What is the difference between a Shift Leader and an Assistant Manager?

It’s common to have both Shift Leaders and Assistant Managers to help supervise operations at a business. Some businesses have Assistant Managers act as Shift Leaders, while other companies completely separate the two roles. Both roles provide extra assistance and guidance to other employees to make it easier for everyone to accomplish their goals. In general, Shift Leaders are more hands-on than Assistant Managers, spending time on the floor and acting as the first point of contact for problems. If the Shift Leader is unable to resolve a problem, they can escalate the issue to an Assistant Manager.

Assistant Managers handle more of the administrative aspects of helping run a business, such as placing inventory orders and preparing productivity reports. They may have additional authority to give discounts or make exceptions to company policy to placate a customer. In addition to helping their staff, Assistant Managers evaluate their behavior and collaborate with the Manager to address behavior issues.

 

What are the daily duties of a Shift Leader?

Shift Leaders are usually responsible for most of the opening and closing duties at their workplace. They can supervise and delegate other staff members who help them set up for the day, but the Shift Manager is usually the person who has the keys to the building and access to the safe to set up registers. Shift Leaders sign off on essential tasks and give employees instructions on how to accomplish certain tasks. They interact with guests and listen to their questions or concerns, modeling excellent customer service.

If there is a new hire on their shift, the Shift Leader assumes responsibility for training them and checking their work throughout the shift. They explain workflows to the new hire, describe company policies and give feedback on their work.

 

Do Shift Leaders have different responsibilities in different industries?

Many of the duties of a Shift Leader depend on the type of business they work at. For example, Shift Leaders that work at a restaurant will have different priorities and responsibilities than Shift Leaders who work at a retail store. The restaurant Shift Leader might assign sections to waitstaff, help with hosting duties, expedite food and resolve issues with billing. The retail Shift Leader would likely focus on keeping shelves tidy, tracking inventory and monitoring the sales numbers at each register. Regardless of industry, Shift Leaders use their supervisory position to support their team.

 

What are the characteristics of a good Shift Leader?

Good Shift Leaders are team players who can motivate a group and lead by example. They inspire their team to uphold high standards of behavior by demonstrating excellence in the workplace and helping others with complex tasks. Good Shift Leaders are attentive and perceptive enough to identify exceptional behavior on the job and report back to their manager about employees who deserve additional recognition.

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