what is an assistant manager?
Also referred to as an associate manager, an assistant manager is someone who performs workflow procedures under the instruction of a manager. As an assistant manager, you have to know how to do various tasks, such as hiring and training new employees and providing customer support. Other important duties and responsibilities of an assistant manager include:
- overseeing the company's spending patterns and budget
- developing excellent customer relationships
- giving regular performance evaluations to employees
- filling in for the manager as needed
As an assistant manager, you need to have a significant number of years of prior experience in the field you’re expecting to manage. You'll need prior experience in management to solve workplace problems, give directions and recommendations, and perform other tasks that require practical knowledge. You'll also need good organizational skills and interpersonal communication skills. All of these strengths will make you an ideal candidate for a job as an assistant manager.
view jobs near youaverage assistant manager salary
An assistant manager earns between $45,000 and $58,000 per year. On top of that, as an assistant manager, you will have an opportunity to earn a cash bonus and commission each year, which may vary depending on the company you’re working for.
Do you want to know more about the salary of an assistant manager? Learn more at Randstad.
Your experience typically determines your earning potential. The second factor is job performance, both in your current and past positions. The third is working conditions. In some companies, you may qualify for greater pay in the form of hazard compensation if your work requires exposure to hazardous conditions. Finally, the company and industry you’re expecting to work in will determine your pay scale. Working evenings could qualify you for a shift differential in some companies or industries.
If the company is among the large corporations that offer higher compensation and employee perks, you can expect a higher pay scale. Similarly, if you’re in a fast-growing industry, such as real estate, financial services, or healthcare, expect to earn more than you would in other sectors.
types of assistant managers
As an assistant manager, you'll be playing a variety of roles. You act as an assistant to the general manager of the company. In this position, your job is to assist the general manager in determining overall business strategies.
You can also become an assistant marketing manager if you’re more interested in helping to identify customer needs. You'll be asked to create marketing proposals that establish and promote brand identity. Some of the things you may be responsible for in this position include assisting in conducting marketing research and making product and promotion decisions. It's different from an assistant operations manager position because you go beyond daily functions.
working as an assistant manager
When you become an assistant manager, you will be responsible for supervising employees as well as carrying out your own assigned duties in an office or retail environment.
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assistant manager job description
Usually, the most important responsibility of an assistant manager is supervising your team. As an assistant manager, you should expect to:
- organize team schedules
- handle staff questions
- take disciplinary action as needed
- authorize holidays and leave
- evaluate employee performance
- create and carry out training and development programs
In addition to the above, you need to support employees to maintain their efficiency and keep them satisfied by making sure the company meets their needs. To do that, you need to be an effective intermediary between the management and the employees. You have to make sure your superiors receive important feedback from the employees to keep the relationship between both sides healthy. You should also expect to make critical changes to the workplace as well as develop and implement relevant business policies to keep the employees comfortable.
As an assistant manager, you have to work together with the manager and assume their duties temporarily when they’re absent as well. To do that, you have to understand the main aspects of the manager’s job and take up those duties as necessary. Most employers looking for someone to fill this position look for someone with the willingness and ability to be creative.
You'll find unhappy customers in any industry. As an assistant manager, your role is to appease irate customers, and the first step is to listen and validate their complaints. Your next step is to resolve the complaint in a timely and effective manner. This requires patience, tolerance, and good interpersonal skills.
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assistant manager work environment
The typical work environment for an assistant manager comprises the regular office space and other areas of the business premises, such as warehouses. You may also need to travel from one location to another on a regular basis. There are assistant manager positions available in both the private and public sectors. In some cases, you may have your own office space. In other instances, you may have a shared office space.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues are typically the manager you work for as well as other managers in the office. One of your biggest tasks as an assistant manager is to lead one or more teams on different set initiatives. In this regard, you have to act as a project manager and make sure all the assigned projects get done as expected. One of the responsibilities you’ll have is to define the scope of the project clearly. You’ll also need to organize the necessary resources to accomplish the goal, manage budgets, develop schedules, and prepare reports. This means collaborating with people from varying sections of the company.
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work schedule
An assistant manager’s work schedule usually depends on the specific industry and organization. Most companies require you to work 40 hours per week, though that can differ depending on the type of company you work in. Banking companies have different hours from healthcare companies, for instance. Of course, shifts vary depending on several factors, one of which is the location. You can also expect to work on weekends, holidays, and during the nights, particularly if there’s an urgent project underway with a strict deadline.
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job outlook for assistant managers
Your industry also determines your pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that wages vary according to industry, experience, and location. In some states, you get greater pay in a field depending on local demand. The average starting salary for an assistant manager is $42,000 and can run up to $50,000 per year. Wages vary according to industry. Jobs in faster-paced industries typically offer greater pay and more bonuses.
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benefits of working for randstad as an assistant manager
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as an assistant manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
assistant manager skills and education
Some organizations allow you to move up the ladder into management. In some cases, you can get grandfathered into an assistant manager position after working as a customer relations officer, front desk manager, or similar position without updating or adding to your credentials. However other employers expect you to meet certain education requirements before offering you a promotion.
A degree in business or business administration can help you get your foot in the door as an assistant manager. You'll also need to get licensed or certified to qualify. These credentials center around leadership and management. Further education in your industry is a must if you want to succeed. Some schools and colleges offer management training programs that provide the training and tools you need to succeed in this position. You'll learn about implementing plans and strategies, overseeing projects while working within a budget, and managing change within an organization.
skills and competencies
You need prior experience in your field or in management for this job. If you have good leadership skills plus one to five years of management experience in your field, then an assistant manager position is right for you. Good interpersonal communication skills and excellent leadership prowess are a plus.
Most employers pay attention to leadership skills because the position requires the individual to manage or supervise several people. You, therefore, need to demonstrate that you can represent the organization by acting as a role model to the people reporting to you. It’s also important to demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to interact with people properly.
To become a successful assistant manager, you will need to be a team player. Your willingness and ability to be a team player will impact how the employees you manage function and how productive they’ll be. On top of that, you’ll need to be self-motivated and have the desire to develop yourself constantly. Like other positions, being an assistant manager comes with several difficulties that are often overcome by being self-motivated. When you combine these skills with the ability to work autonomously, you will be a great fit for this role.
FAQs about working as an assistant manager
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about assistant managers.
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what is the role of an assistant manager?
As an assistant manager, you will be responsible for making sure a department, team, or organization runs smoothly by performing certain managerial tasks. You'll need to schedule employee work shifts, evaluate team performance, and provide quality customer service.
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is an assistant manager a good position?
As an assistant manager, you'll have many benefits. You'll enjoy the variety that the job has to offer, plus the satisfaction of knowing that you're making a difference. You'll have plenty of opportunities for advancement plus a sense of professional leadership.
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what are the qualifications of an assistant manager?
Most companies currently require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or relevant post-high-school training for an assistant manager position. Some of the areas you need to be well-versed in include management and business administration. Most organizations provide training to their employees for this position. They also promote staff from within to the assistant manager’s role. These requirements may vary.
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what level is the assistant manager?
An assistant manager is next in line to a general manager, and as such, you act as a manager in the manager’s absence. As an assistant manager, you'll be the link between customers, employees, and top management.
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what comes after the assistant manager?
You'll have opportunities for advancement in your organization. Once you gain experience, you move into general management or beyond.
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how do i find a job as an assistant manager?
Applying for an assistant manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our data engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
