First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, & Material Movers, Hand

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The teams of workers that move masses of earth, sand, equipment, and goods benefit from effective coordination from their supervisors. Material moving supervisors directly oversee the activities of workers who pack moving boxes and move freight and stock by hand, as well as workers who operate trucks and tractors, cranes, forklifts, and other vehicles. These supervisors take work orders and instructions from customers and managers, then break projects down into tasks and assign them to teams of workers to complete. Supervisors handle the hiring and training of employees, and are responsible for keeping their employees safe and productive. Work sites can be hazardous so monitoring the correct use of safety procedures and equipment is crucial. Supervising workers for projects also requires record-keeping, the ability to track both the small details and the big picture, as well as interpersonal skills. Most of these supervisors work 40 hours a week or more. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, along with previous experience.