How to hire a department supervisor

How to hire a department supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step department supervisor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a department supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new department supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a department supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the department supervisor you need to hire. Certain department supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A department supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, department supervisors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents department supervisor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Department Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Department Supervisor		$15-31
   Dept Manager	A department manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the assigned department, ensuring the maximum productivity and optimal performance of the staff. Department managers also coordinate with business partners, clients, and customers, as well as identifying business opportunities to drive more revenues and increase profitability... Show more	$13-41
   Service Department Manager	A service department manager is responsible for leading the service department operations by assisting the staff in customer interaction, providing the highest customer service, and negotiating contracts and partnerships with clients. Service department managers coordinate with the sales and marketing team for brand promotions and advising the staff in selling new products to potential customers... Show more	$13-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Store Management
   • Product Knowledge
   • Plumbing
   • Math
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Store Sales
   • Sales Associates
   • Sales Floor
   • Keep Management
   • Customer Service
   • Store Operations
   • Valuable Input
   • Millwork
   • Inventory Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Achieve a high degree of customer relations, in-stock, and store appearance.
   • Manage geotechnical aspects of an EIR/EIS for a coastal development in an environmentally sensitive lagoon.
   • Maintain an ISO certify department.
   • Home depot sales associate , 2/2012 to7/1012
   • Obtain good working knowledge of EDI.
   • Assist customers, complete callbacks and diamond counts

   More department supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your department supervisor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A department supervisor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, department supervisors' average salary in west virginia is 50% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level department supervisors earn 50% less than senior-level department supervisors.
   • Certifications. A department supervisor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a department supervisor's salary.

   Average department supervisor salary

   $47,300yearly

   $22.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level department supervisor salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average department supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$70,588	$34
   2	New York	$66,202	$32
   3	Massachusetts	$65,136	$31
   4	Virginia	$60,428	$29
   5	Tennessee	$57,179	$27
   6	California	$56,858	$27
   7	Michigan	$55,966	$27
   8	New Hampshire	$54,849	$26
   9	Delaware	$53,668	$26
   10	Georgia	$53,474	$26
   11	Florida	$53,084	$26
   12	Minnesota	$51,383	$25
   13	Connecticut	$51,011	$25
   14	Illinois	$50,659	$24
   15	Texas	$50,229	$24
   16	Maryland	$48,801	$23
   17	Wisconsin	$47,636	$23
   18	Missouri	$45,892	$22
   19	Maine	$45,555	$22
   20	Colorado	$45,297	$22

   Average department supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Club	$74,799	$35.96
   2	Corning Incorporated	$73,606	$35.39	19
   3	Mount Sinai Health System	$69,913	$33.61	16
   4	Huntington Hospital	$68,405	$32.89
   5	Mission Regional Medical Center	$66,730	$32.08	21
   6	E.W. Grobbel Sons	$65,082	$31.29
   7	UFP Industries	$64,003	$30.77	1
   8	Toyoda Gosei Americas	$62,990	$30.28	1
   9	Cheshire Medical Center	$61,617	$29.62	1
   10	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$61,404	$29.52	9
   11	Norman Regional Health System	$61,041	$29.35	4
   12	Cleveland Clinic	$60,461	$29.07	106
   13	Kaiser Permanente	$59,664	$28.68	31
   14	VT Industries	$59,022	$28.38
   15	Emory Healthcare	$58,982	$28.36	27
   16	Amarr	$57,236	$27.52	2
   17	Mohawk Industries	$56,798	$27.31	2
   18	UCHealth	$56,589	$27.21	5
   19	Prime Healthcare	$56,450	$27.14	11
   20	Daltile	$54,559	$26.23

4. Writing a department supervisor job description

   A department supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a department supervisor job description:

   Department supervisor job description example

   Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope®, is the leading supplier of value-added, glazing-focused, interior and exterior products and services. We design, engineer, test and manufacture solutions in engineered curtain wall, storefronts and entrances, architectural glass, shower enclosures, glazing hardware, windows, railings and more.
   
   We are looking for a talented Production Supervisor (Department) who can coach individuals and drive performance in a positive team building manner. If you are looking to work for an industry leader with peers who care as much as you do and have an "all for one and one for all" mentality, we're your company.
   
   If you are looking for an opportunity to escalate your career in the manufacturing space, this your opportunity. The person hired for this position will be developed and groomed to assume a value stream supervisor role six to twelve months after onboarding. Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® is growing and we want the best talent to do it right, that is where you come in!
   
   Our production supervisors oversee and plan the general production flow and lead times as well as material inventory control and optimization.Come join this industry leader!
   Roles and Responsibilities
   Supervise personnel, production workflow, and quality. Counsel, mentor, and coach personnel. Ensure that personnel are properly trained, and their job functions are being performed correctly. Confirm that employees have been instructed on the proper safety procedures and follow these procedures during their work shift Ensure all production schedules are completed at the end of the shift and that company quality standards are met each day. Complete production reports at the end of the shift, including work performed by department, back orders and hot items. Drive continuous improvement in the manufacturing environment to make it safer, more efficient and better for the product our customer will receive and for our team members.
   Qualifications
   Experience in glass industry preferred, but not required. 3+ years Managerial and Supervisory experience is required. Good verbal and written communication skills. Able to operate under pressure, meet strict deadlines and capacity to multitask. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, Lotus Notes. Ability to handle multiple projects and effectively prioritize workload with emphasis on multitasking capabilities.
   What OBE Offers You
   Highly competitive base pay Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs Group retirement savings program Health and wellness programs A culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion
   
   About OBE
   
   OBE has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of family businesses, regional companies, and large enterprises that together form the OBE family. OBE operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large organization.
   
   If you're up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest!
   
   OBE is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
   
   EOE/Vet/DisabilityIf you want to know more, please click on this link.
   
   Date Posted:Oct 12, 2022
   
   Nearest Major Market: Dallas
   Nearest Secondary Market: Fort Worth
   Job Segment: Design Engineer, Manager, Engineering, Management

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find department supervisors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your department supervisor job on Zippia to find and attract quality department supervisor candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit department supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new department supervisor

   Once you've selected the best department supervisor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new department supervisor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a department supervisor?