What is a Site Supervisor?

Summary

Site Supervisors play an important role in the manufacturing, construction, and mining industries. The key job functions required by a Site Supervisor includes, managing the daily operations on the worksite, keeping track of budgeting requirements, managing time restraints in accordance to deadlines, communicating job responsibilities to employees and overlooking site activity to ensure the environment meets safety and quality standards.

Site Supervisors are usually tasked with coordinating the various workers on site to boost quality and ensure site efficiency. These workers can often include contractors, labourers, process workers, machine operators and technicians.

Types of Site Supervisors:

Depending on the industry or project requirements, Site Supervisors can specalise in several different sectors, including:

Residential – In this role, a Site Supervisor is responsible for supporting and managing the construction of houses, townhouses, units, or apartment buildings.
Commercial – Commercial projects include shopping centres, office buildings, and retail stores. Site Managers oversee the site and coordinate the appropriate resources.
Industrial – Similar to the above functions, as an Industrial Site Manager, they are responsible for organizing and planning the construction of warehouses, factories and distribution centres.
Civil – When supervising a civil project, a Site Supervisor is required to coordinate the production process of building various kinds of infrastructure, including; roads, tunnels, bridges, or other public-used spaces. In this role, a Site Supervisor usually requires some kinds of certification in Civil Engineering and they will need to focus on public safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities of a Site Supervisor

The main job requirements of a Site Supervisor usually depends on the type of industry they work in and the activities they are required to perform on the worksite. Key job functions typically include:

Scheduling, coordinating, and overseeing the day-to-day performance on the construction/building site.
Making sure that quality standards are met in accordance with the project requirements.
Allocating and managing materials, equipment and labour for cost and time efficiency.
Communicating with various on-site teams to address delays, issues or project hiccups.
Maintaining accurate inventory reports and documentation related to incidents, delays and costs.

How to Get a Job as a Site Supervisor in Australia

Get the Certifications: When working in any high-risk environment, you must hold a White Card. To become a Site Supervisor, you are typically required to obtain a diploma or certificate building and construction, civil engineering, or a related field. You may also need a building licence.
Learn Key Skills: The best way to learn the key skills is to get experience on site as a labourer or tradesperson before progressing to a Site Supervisory role. Practical experience in the construction industry is important to understanding the skill requirements for a Site Supervisor to harness.
Showcase your Soft Skills: Site Supervisors are required to demonstrate significant leadership skills, a great attention to detail and good communication skills.
Search for Jobs: Consider reaching out to staffing and employment agencies that specialise in filling business support roles.
Prepare a Strong Resume: Tailor your resume to the specific role you’re applying for.

5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What qualifications do I need to become a Site Supervisor?

To become a Site Supervisor, on-site experience is highly valued and you may be required to obtain a certificate in construction, safety or engineering. Most Site Supervisors are required to get a White Card. Some positions (often Civil Engineering), will require further education such as a degree in engineering.

What industries or businesses will hire Site Supervisors in Australia?

Site Supervisors are known to work primarily in blue-collar industry sectors, such as: manufacturing, construction, mining, or civil engineering.

What kinds of skills does a business look for when they hire a Site Supervisor?

Highly valuable skills for a Site Supervisor to acquire includes: analytical skills, leadership skills, communication skills, time management skills, and proficiency using record keeping software.

What is the average income for a Site Supervisor in Australia?

The average annual full-time salary for a Site Supervisor ranges between $85,000 – $100,000

*This is to be used as a guide only and is not a representation of the roles we currently have available.

Join the Industry!

Are you looking for the next opportunity to work as a Site Supervisor? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you looking to hire a Site Supervisor?

Finding quality staff is our job.

Staff Australia has filled thousands of vacancies with skilled and motivated workers. People are our business and we know how important it is to have the right team in place, we’ll work overtime to find the best fit.