What does a management trainee do?

A management trainee's responsibilities will vary in the assigned industry or department. Most of the time, they function as administrative support where the tasks include processing documents and keeping records, preparing presentations, and analyzing reports. There are also instances when a management trainee must take part in implementing policies, crafting strategies, and observe in handling revenue and budget reports. Furthermore, a management trainee works under the supervision of a manager or supervisor, and it is essential to adhere to all policies and regulations at all times.
Management trainee responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real management trainee resumes:
- Manage internal marketing programs including telemarketing and email campaigns to increase customer activity.
- Manage payroll, payments, social security calculations, all administrative functions and vacation rolls coordination.
- Develop management and leadership principles while managing, training, and motivating employees in fast-pace, high-volume sales/customer service business.
- Develop workforce management, inventory management, leadership, time-management and prioritization skills through working closely with store and department management.
- Perform successful sales in roofing and general construction.
- Create Instagram and Facebook posts having to do with new clothing shipments.
- Perform cash management responsibilities including point of sale (POS) updates, daily reporting and cash management.
- Update and publish posts to the store's social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Ensure customer satisfaction through timely delivery, crisp cleanliness, and efficient vehicle maintenance.
- Create PowerPoint slide decks and organize binders.
- Develop SQL queries to check the database.
- Handle numerous store procedures, functions, transactions in SQL.
- Create quotations and submittals for residential and commercial HVAC sales.
- Perform warehouse cycle counts and inventory adjustments in proprietary ERP system.
- Present a project on intuitive selling techniques and social media via Instagram marketing.
Management trainee skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Management Trainees are proficient in Enterprise Management, Management Training, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Management Trainees that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Enterprise Management, 14%
Participated the nationally recognized Enterprise management training program.
- Management Training, 11%
Received one year of comprehensive customer service management training covering the complete service, parts and financial management responsibilities of the position
- Customer Service, 9%
Deliver superior customer service while effectively communicating, influencing and interacting with all types of customers, vendors and coworkers.
- Product Knowledge, 8%
Maintained product knowledge of all vehicles within our inventory including new vehicle inventory, used vehicle inventory, and trade-in/auction vehicles.
- Cash Management, 5%
Handled administrative functions including accounts receivable, journal vouchers and cash management.
- Store Training, 4%
Completed a 6 month in store training program along with training classes at regional offices.
"enterprise management," "management training," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that management trainees use at work. You can find even more management trainee responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a management trainee to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what management trainees do because "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Additionally, a management trainee resume shows how management trainees use interpersonal skills: "use proper sales techniques and interpersonal skills to problem solve and resolve conflicts. "
Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling management trainee duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." According to a management trainee resume, here's how management trainees can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "trained in several organizational departments including operations management, branch management, and sales. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of management trainees is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday management trainee duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "enhanced profit performance and multi-phone management, underwriting and other administrative tasks. "
The three companies that hire the most management trainees are:
- Enterprise Holdings2,380 management trainees jobs
- Uline899 management trainees jobs
- Cintas239 management trainees jobs
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Management trainee vs. Floor supervisor
A floor supervisor is personnel hired by the hospitality and retail establishments who provide a quality experience to guests by inspecting the guest area's cleanliness. To maintain freshness, a floor supervisor collaborates with a manager to deploy custodial staff and train new employees. A floor supervisor must be knowledgeable in booking and checking-in guests and resolve complaints using his/her conflict resolution skills. Also, a floor supervisor should have an associate's degree in hospitality management.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between management trainees and floor supervisor. For instance, management trainee responsibilities require skills such as "enterprise management," "management training," "cash management," and "store training." Whereas a floor supervisor is skilled in "sales floor," "keep management," "store management," and "develop proficiency." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Floor supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $29,952. On the other hand, management trainees are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $53,299.On average, floor supervisors reach similar levels of education than management trainees. Floor supervisors are 4.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Management trainee vs. Sales lead/sales associate
Sales lead and sales associates are two different sales positions in the retail industry. A sales lead is in charge of supervising the sales department. Sales leads perform administrative duties like recruiting and training staff, monitoring inventories, and maintaining sales performance. On the other hand, sales associates guide potential customers to acquire the products or services that fit their needs. The associates notify clients of sales promotions then present to them the product or service. Employees for these positions are looking for candidates with relevant experience in sales and related degrees like marketing and sales.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real management trainee resumes. While management trainee responsibilities can utilize skills like "enterprise management," "management training," "cash management," and "store training," sales lead/sales associates use skills like "pos," "sales transactions," "cash handling," and "front end."
On average, sales lead/sales associates earn a lower salary than management trainees. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, sales lead/sales associates earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $30,271. Whereas management trainees have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,299.In general, sales lead/sales associates achieve lower levels of education than management trainees. They're 5.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Management trainee vs. Key holder
A keyholder is responsible for ensuring the store's daily security before and after the operation. Keyholders' duties include assisting with administrative tasks, handling customers' inquiries, managing and escalating customers' complaints, monitoring the alarm system, keeping track of the deliveries, supporting staff training, cooperating in company's events, and recommending operational strategies to meet business goals and objectives. A keyholder must have excellent customer service and time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially during high customer volume.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from management trainee resumes include skills like "enterprise management," "management training," "cash management," and "store training," whereas a key holder is more likely to list skills in "sales floor," "visual standards," "loss prevention," and "store management. "
Key holders make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $30,477. On the other hand, management trainees are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $53,299.When it comes to education, key holders tend to earn lower degree levels compared to management trainees. In fact, they're 5.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Management trainee vs. Shift supervisor
Shift supervisors are responsible for the employees assigned to the shift that they are handling. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees who were expected to report to work at the specific shift came in. They also ensure that the employees are doing their jobs while at work. Shift supervisors are expected to ensure that employees are really working during working hours and properly delegate work. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees are productive and efficient in their jobs. They are expected to provide coaching and guidance so that the employees will be able to reach the goals assigned to the work team.
Types of management trainee
Updated January 8, 2025











