What does a shift foreman do?
Shift foreman responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shift foreman resumes:
- Manage a team of up to eight CNC operators in production setting.
- Implement changes to the departments safety program, and lead tours and employee audits for lock-out and PPE.
- Manage and perform all excavations.
- Work with team to assist with ISO requirements.
- Certify CNC machinist using different types of lathes and computer base machines.
- Prioritize and delegate work orders to ensure plant run properly and efficiently.
- Design and build fixtures, jigs and tooling for primary and secondary machining operations.
- Conduct ISO internal audits and create shift reports waste and production reports for upper management.
- Design set ups, jigs, and practices in order to cut time from previously set time standards.
- Perform financial management and oversight functions including maintaining and evaluating account activity, paperwork, payroll and budget reports.
- build prototypes, manufacture machine parts for company machines.
- Work closely with engineers to accommodate any blueprint changes and redesign used to build prototypes.
- Write and issue LOTO's to prevent personnel injury during maintenance activities.
- Operate heavy equipment including backhoe, skid steer loader, bulldozer, trenchers, trucks, trailers and safety equipment.
- Diagnose and perform needed repairs on cranes, backhoes, trenchers, directional drill, bulldozers, aerial manlift trucks.
Shift foreman skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Shift Foremen are proficient in Machine Operators, Safety Rules, and Plant Operations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Shift Foremen that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Machine Operators, 11%
Documented and implemented machine operators and troubleshooting guide to assist keeping machines operational and minimize down time.
- Safety Rules, 8%
Make sure that all techs follow proper procedures and safety rules.
- Plant Operations, 7%
Relieved plant Supervisors on regular basis for total plant operations including Security, Deliveries, Warehouse, and Storeroom departments.
- Preventative Maintenance, 6%
Delegated responsibilities to maintenance staff and prioritized tasks, including preventative maintenance and breakdown efforts.
- CNC, 6%
Set up CNC Machines, oversee operations, trouble shoot machines, edit programs and all other supervisory duties.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Verify that vehicles meet state and federal safety standards.
"machine operators," "safety rules," and "plant operations" are among the most common skills that shift foremen use at work. You can find even more shift foreman responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a shift foreman to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what shift foremen do because "forest and conservation workers must convey information to foresters and conservation scientists and other workers." Additionally, a shift foreman resume shows how shift foremen use communication skills: "coordinate overtime, payroll and attendance and team communications, safety-talks and development meetings. "
Detail oriented. Many shift foreman duties rely on detail oriented. "forest and conservation workers must observe gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that equipment works properly," so a shift foreman will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways shift foreman responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "result-oriented with experience supervising production lines. "
Listening skills. This is an important skill for shift foremen to perform their duties. For an example of how shift foreman responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "forest and conservation workers must understand the instructions they receive before performing tasks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a shift foreman: "communicated direct reports attendance issues to personnel staffing * ensured proper ppe compliance * completed hazwoper training".
Physical stamina. shift foreman responsibilities often require "physical stamina." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "forest and conservation workers perform a variety of strenuous tasks." This resume example shows what shift foremen do with physical stamina on a typical day: "operated electronic control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units. "
The three companies that hire the most shift foremans are:
- CIT Trucks4 shift foremen jobs
- Oldcastle Infrastructure3 shift foremen jobs
- Central Garden & Pet2 shift foremen jobs
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Compare different shift foremen
Shift foreman vs. Leader
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between shift foremen and leader. For instance, shift foreman responsibilities require skills such as "machine operators," "safety rules," "plant operations," and "preventative maintenance." Whereas a leader is skilled in "customer service," "strong time management," "excellent interpersonal," and "pet." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that leaders earn slightly differ from shift foremen. In particular, leaders are 8.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a shift foreman. Additionally, they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shift foreman vs. Operations team leader
An operations team leader is an individual who manages teams, encouraging cooperation, productivity, and teamwork. Operations team leaders foster team unity and enhance the daily efficiency of the companies or any business establishment. They manage a diverse workforce in companies to make sure that the organizational operations are efficient. Also, they implement programs and processes and oversee building maintenance. It is also their responsibility to manage mechanical and human resources and establish a team budget.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that shift foreman responsibilities requires skills like "machine operators," "safety rules," "plant operations," and "safety standards." But an operations team leader might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "continuous improvement," "excellent interpersonal," and "sales floor."
In general, operations team leaders achieve higher levels of education than shift foremen. They're 6.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shift foreman vs. Lead operator
Lead operators are responsible for the direction and supervision of the day-to-day activities in facilities. As machine operators, they control machines and take charge of industrial operations. They handle and move objects, monitor processes, and inspect materials, structures, and equipment. Also, they may serve as mentors for the new production employees concerning occupational health and safety. They must be skilled in safety procedures, heavy equipment, preventive maintenance, and other things related to machine operations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from shift foreman resumes include skills like "safety rules," "plant operations," "qc," and "repair orders," whereas a lead operator is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "process improvement," "project management," and "shipping receiving. "
Lead operators make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $94,784. On the other hand, shift foremen are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $42,984.lead operators typically earn higher educational levels compared to shift foremen. Specifically, they're 5.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shift foreman vs. Production supervisor
Production supervisors are employees who oversee the production process, usually handling activities directly related to people management. They manage employees by ensuring that the production floor employees are doing their work well and are motivated. Production supervisors guide employees and ensure that everyone is working towards company goals. They properly communicate these goals as well as the strategies to meet the set goals. Production supervisors have a direct hand in the hiring and subsequent training of employees. They should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills.
Types of shift foreman
Updated January 8, 2025
