There are several layers of management in a company for its smooth functioning. One of these positions is of a Line Manager, which is in itself significant.Let us know more about that the What is a Line Manager?-Know More.
As you go on reading, you’ll get a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of a line manager in a company’s management.
What is a Line Manager?
A line manager plays an important role in a company’s management. He is an entry-level manager who takes care of the work on the ground. Broadly, he supervises and manages the employees and day-to-day operations. He is the one responsible for the performance of the employees. Further, a line manager acts as a bridge between the employees and the upper management.
Usually, a line manager is in charge of a department or a team. He supervises the team, works on achieving the targets, develops schedules, and is responsible for the overall performance of the department.
A line manager is also known as a shift manager, assistant manager, section manager, and office manager, etc.
What are the responsibilities of a line manager?
A line manager is a person who makes things work on the ground. Some of the responsibilities of a line manager are
Recruitment
It is the responsibility of the line manager to analyze if there is a need for a workforce. Therefore, he oversees the need and process of recruiting new staff in coordination with other departments such as Human Resources, etc.
Training
After choosing suitable candidates for a job, a line manager is also responsible for making the newly recruited staff fit for the company. He does so by training and mentoring the new staff and making them adjust according to the company’s environment.
Making Aware of the Long-term Goals
Though the long-term goals of a company are set by the top officials of a company, it is the responsibility of a line manager to make the staff and employees aware of the long-term goals of the company. He then passes these goals to the staff and formulates strategies that help to achieve the long-term goals of the company.
Preparing Performance Reports
One of the most crucial duties of a line manager is to analyze the performance of the employees and form a report. The detailed reports are then, submitted by him to the upper management officials, who may then decide to keep or fire the employees.
Motivating Staff
There are times when the employees feel overburdened due to the workload. Also, there are situations where they are not able to find a solution to a problem. Therefore, the line manager has to motivate the employees from time to time and boost their confidence. It may be done, by giving them incentives or conducting interactive sessions frequently.
Implementing Strategies
The policies and decisions taken by the top officials of the company are implemented by the line manager. He ensures that the work is done under the guidelines formulated by the senior managers. In short, he is responsible for the implementation of policies on the ground.
Management of resources
One of the central responsibilities of a line manager is the proper management of resources. He has to ensure that the resources are used efficiently and eliminate excess use or wastage.
Providing Feedback
A line manager thoroughly analyzes and evaluates the performance of its staff. After evaluating the shortcomings of its employees, the line manager must give honest feedback. It is necessary to make the employees realize their setbacks and suggesting them ways to overcome their shortfalls.
Liaison between Employees and Upper Management
A line manager acts as a liaison between employees and upper management. There are times when the employees face problems that cannot be taken by each employee to the higher management. At this point, begins the role of a line manager who takes such problems to the upper management.
What are the skills required by a line manager?
To manage a company and its affairs in the field is not an easy task. To do so, a line manager has to possess some skills. Some of the skills that are necessary to discharge duties properly are as follows
Communication Skills
For a line manager, having good communication skills is a must which is due to the nature of his job. One of the main jobs of a line manager is to act as a link between the upper management and the employees. A line manager has to pass down the guidelines and instructions to the employees received from the upper management. Further, a line manager must motivate the staff and boost their confidence.
Therefore, to pass on the needs and the demands of the employees to the higher management officials, a line manager has to have good communication skills.
Assessment Skills
A line manager is the one who assesses and evaluates the performance of its employees. He then makes reports based on his analysis which is submitted to the senior managers or officials. They make their decisions based on the evaluation done by the various line managers, the company has hired. Therefore, a line manager must have good assessment skills.
Problem-solving Skills
A line manager needs to have good problem-solving skills. This is because he is responsible for the in-field implementation of strategies and policies that are formulated by the top managers. While doing this work, there are chances of arising of many problems which can be solved by a person having the mind and capacity to solve problems with not much difficulty. In other words, a company needs a person who can make alternate plans and implement them swiftly.
Time Management Skills
When it comes to a management job, it is a necessity to have good time management skills. A line manager with good time management skills can help in the smooth functioning of a company. This includes assigning and expecting work from employees in time, working according to strict time schedules, and creating deadlines. Moreover, a line manager working on strict time deadlines also works ideal for the department or team it leads.
Decision-making Skills
A line manager is responsible for day-to-day administration that requires making decisions over both trivial and big issues. Also, the decisions related to employee recruitment and termination are initiated based on a line manager’s suggestions. Hence, while choosing a candidate for a line manager, decision-making skills are on the top of the list.
Management Skills
The central job of a line manager is to manage the operations of a company. It involves managing the resources efficiently and taking care of the product quality. Therefore, a line manager must develop and enhance management skills.
Leadership Skills
A line manager is kind of a leader of the staff and employees. He gives instructions and guides the staff and the team whenever needed. He formulates and sets goals for the team. To lead a team successfully, a line manager has to work on leadership skills.
How much does a line manager earn?
The average salary of a line manager in India is approximately Rs 7.5lakhs per annum. However, it ranges from Rs. 3Lakhs to Rs. 55lakhs.
Moreover, the figures change as we look at the salaries in different countries. For instance, in the USA, the average salary of a line manager is about $56,140.
Apart from the salaries, line managers are also entitled to bonuses and profit-sharing that may differ from place to place and company to company.
What are the qualifications required to become a line manager?
There is not much when it comes to the educational and other qualifications required to become a line manager. Some of these qualifications include:
A bachelor’s degree
Usually, there have been people on the post of the Executive Vice President having a bachelor’s degree in any field. However, a bachelor’s degree in business administration is preferred more due to the demand for professionals.
A Master’s degree in business administration
A master’s degree in business administration is a must as it is considered essential to learn the basics and needful about business management.
An experience of 5-10 years
A company usually prefers to have experienced candidates over amateurs. This is because a person who had handled problematic situations knows how to deal with such circumstances whenever they come. Therefore, if a person with experience is given priority than those with no experience.
Conclusion
A line manager plays a vital role in the management of a company. He is responsible for all the on field work. He is the one who analyzes the strategies that are formulated by the officials sitting in a room. This brings the implications of those strategies into the focus of the upper management that gives a direction to them as to how to proceed further.
He acts as a link between the employees and the higher management of a company. Therefore, he has to develop some skills like good communication skills, superior management skills and exemplary problem-solving skills to name a few.
Hence, a line manager is like a thread that holds the beads together in a necklace.
