The front-line manager is responsible for leading all staff members below them in the organisational hierarchy. He or she reports to the middle-level manager. A good supervisor directs subordinates to achieve organisational goals.
Definition and Explanation
Frontline managers lead a non-managerial team, implement the decisions of senior management daily, and report to them. These managers prepare a daily/weekly budget that aligns with the annual budget.
The main function of the line manager is to lead a team. It supervised a higher number of subordinates compared to middle and executive managers. To be successful, they must learn leadership skills and emotional intelligence.
Examples are foreman, team leader, head of operations in a branch office, and supervisor. They must be technologically inclined to lead effectively. More so, team leaders must understand the job roles of their subordinates. They can handle the roles if necessary so as to ensure that the company’s objectives are met.
Analysts are forecasting that with artificial intelligence growth, it is possible that in the next five years, front-line managers will supervise fewer subordinates. This is because the chain of command structure will change to a diamond shape. Graduate trainees will no longer be required or a small number of them will be employed in some entity.
Senior management informs the supervisors of the latest way of doing things. It is expected that the line manager should adapt immediately and instruct their subordinates accordingly.
The supervisors implement the strategies of the board of directors. They ensure that on a daily basis, strategies are applied and a portion of the company's objectives, goals, and mission is achieved.
Frontline management reports to the middle-level manager. Weekly budget, sales monthly report, and department-specific report are among the few things that are sent by supervisors to senior managers.
Traditional function and the Frontline management
The time and effort put in by supervisors on the traditional management function is different from that of senior management. For planning, organizing and controlling, front-line managers spent less time and effort compared to other levels of management.
However, supervisors spend more time and effort leading their subordinates than senior managers. Although, with the growth of AI this might change.