Can I be a shift leader with no experience?

No, you cannot be a shift leader without any experience. Typically, in order to be a shift leader, a person needs to have both a few years of experience working in different roles within the store as well as some previous leadership experience.

How long does it take to become a shift manager?

It takes about three years to become a shift manager. Businesses have different requirements for their shift managers depending on the size and industry of the business. Industries with technical processes may require more specific training and certifications for their shift managers, while restaurants and retail businesses may not.

How much do shift managers make?

Shift managers make $12.87 an hour ($26,000 a year). The range, however, can start as low as $7.83 an hour to as high as $21.15 an hour. Factors such as the type of company and location can all impact how much a shift manager can earn.

Is a shift manager a supervisor?

Yes, a shift manager is a supervisor. A shift manager, also known as a shift supervisor, is typically a food service or retail industry worker who is responsible for maintaining the store or restaurant.

What is the difference between a manager and a shift manager?

There are a couple of differences between a shift manager and a general manager, the most important being that a manager oversees shift managers as well as other employees. While a shift manager oversees one shift or one team, the manager oversees the entire operations of the store or restaurant.

What is a shift manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Steve Wages Ph.D.,

Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.

A shift manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of a business during a shift, this includes creating schedules, delegating tasks, and handling customer complaints, often in a retail or hospitality setting. They are in charge of employees, customer satisfaction, and workflow. They must also ensure that all safety protocols are followed and that the business is meeting its financial goals. Shift managers play a crucial role in the smooth functioning of a business during their shift.

What general advice would you give to a shift manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are

ScoreShift ManagerUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $32,110

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.56%

Asian 8.21%

Black or African American 11.37%

Hispanic or Latino 16.98%

Unknown 4.93%

White 57.95%

Gender

female 56.87%

male 43.13%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a shift manager?

Pros

Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Interact with diverse range of people
Gain experience in problem solving and decision making
Opportunity to work flexible hours
Chance to work in a team-oriented environment

Cons

Dealing with difficult customers or employees
Need to be available for emergencies outside of working hours
May have to work weekends and holidays
Can be physically demanding job (standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects)
Need to manage conflicts and resolve issues between team members

Key steps to become a shift manager

Explore shift manager education requirements

Most common shift manager degrees

High School Diploma

34.3 %

Bachelor's

31.2 %

Associate

21.4 %

Start to develop specific shift manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Cleanliness	34.54%
Inventory Management	13.01%
Management	10.38%
Leadership	4.93%
Customer Service	3.33%

Complete relevant shift manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New shift managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a shift manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real shift manager resumes.

Gain additional shift manager certifications

Shift manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific shift manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for shift managers include ServSafe Alcohol and Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS).

More About Certifications

Research shift manager duties and responsibilities

Manage night shift ensuring closing procedures, customer service, and employee management are accomplished following company policies
Manage FOH to insure all guests are happy and well taken care of.
Provide excellent customer service, operate POS systems, maintain friendly but secure retail environment, track and manage inventory
Handle all customer relation issues in accordance with company policy and provide exceptional customer service to all CVS customers.

Prepare your shift manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your shift manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a shift manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable shift manager resume templates

Build a professional shift manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your shift manager resume.

Apply for shift manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a shift manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do shift managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Shift manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023

Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

Ability to resolve issues, timely delivery on goals and mantainance of inter personal relationship and organizing.

Cons

Insurbordination, failure to deliver on tasks and targets.

What is a shift manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a shift manager?

What are the pros and cons of being a shift manager?

Shift manager career paths

Key steps to become a shift manager

Explore shift manager education requirements

Most common shift manager degrees

Start to develop specific shift manager skills

Complete relevant shift manager training and internships

Gain additional shift manager certifications

Research shift manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your shift manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable shift manager resume templates

Apply for shift manager jobs

How did you land your first shift manager job

Average shift manager salary

How do shift managers rate their job?

Shift manager reviews

Shift manager FAQs

Can I be a shift leader with no experience?

How long does it take to become a shift manager?

How much do shift managers make?

Is a shift manager a supervisor?

What is the difference between a manager and a shift manager?

Search for shift manager jobs

Shift manager jobs by state