In the last post, we discussed the roles of a site manager. There is another position which is often mistaken with a site manager that is Construction Site Supervisor. This article will help you distinguish the difference between these two jobs and give information about the responsibilities of a Site Supervisor. Here we go!

1. Difference between Site Supervisor and Site Manager?

Site Supervisor

Site Manager
Site supervision is entry-level management. 

Their responsibility is mainly to look out for the safety of fellow colleagues. 

Site supervisors are also responsible for relaying protocols that have been set by senior management. 

Sometimes they have to mentor and motivate their staff to ensure the project finishes on time.

To become a site supervisor, you would need to complete an SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) course to gain a recognised qualification that will last for 5 years. 

Being a site supervisor is an excellent way to gain some first-hand experience in management. And this will be extremely useful as you progress further in the field.

 Construction Site Managers are a step above site supervisors. 

Site managers have a wider scope of responsibility.

Their duties are managing staff and ensuring the necessary health and safety standards.

They are responsible for ensuring a construction project is completed within the set budget and meeting with architects and engineers to provide them updates on the project. 

To become a site manager, you would also need to get an SMSTS (Site Manager Safety Training Scheme) qualification that will last for 5 years. 

There is more responsibility in being a site manager. So you should consider getting some experience as a site supervisor to help you along the way.

2. Responsibilities and roles of a Site Supervisor

As mentioned above, the Site Supervisor is in charge of leading, and providing supervision in all phases of structural, sewer, earthworks, water main and road construction projects. The Site Supervisor is in charge of safely and profitably managing and coordinating all important parts of projects: Subcontractors, equipment, materials, and labour.

Site Supervisor
Responsibilities and roles of a Site Supervisor

These are a number of detailed tasks that you have to take as a construction site supervisor:

  • Creating and implementing processes and procedures that allow tradesmen and workers to complete tasks as quickly as possible.
  • Identifying dangers, managing risks, and inspecting systems and equipment on a regular basis.
  • Preventative maintenance of machines is arranged when needed.
  • Working closely with senior management and stakeholders to ensure the site’s safety and efficiency.
  • Keeping correct records is essential.
  • Allocate labour, equipment, supplies, and subcontractors efficiently to increase safety and profitability while reducing costs and deficiencies.
  • Effectively schedule projects to ensure that deadlines are completed on time, on budget, and on target.
  • Conduct site safety meetings and communicate and execute all safety policies.
  • Handle day-to-day field personnel issues and submit incident reports to the central office.

3. Working conditions and salary

Construction supervisors are among the first to arrive and the last to leave a job site. This profession necessitates participation in a variety of activities as well as communication with a large number of coworkers and managers on the job site.

job in construction site supervisor
Construction supervisors are spend a lot of time walking around the building site

The site supervisor, like other positions in the construction industry, frequently works away from home. Supervisors spend a lot of time walking around the building site, inspecting the workers’ output and efficiency. The average working week for a site supervisor is roughly 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). They may be forced to work overtime during busy project periods.

According to Payscale, site supervisors earn around £68,000 per year. Your annual salary as an entry-level supervisor will be roughly £50,000. After accounting for the proper years of experience, you should be able to earn £74,000 each year. In the metropolitan sector, your pay would normally be higher. Construction site supervisors earn an average of £66,000 in companies that specialise in building and supporting infrastructure.

4. How to become a construction site supervisor

4.1. Skills

  • Knowledge of building and construction 
  • Ability to read and understand drawings/specifications
  • Excellent time management and leadership skills 
  • Excellent organisational and planning skills and ability to manage multiple projects 
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines and schedules while maintaining safety and profitability
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Business management skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Good initiative and logical thinking skills 
  • Well developed critical thinking skills and mental agility

>> Read more: How to become a health and safety officer in construction

4.2. Education and qualification

The vast majority of construction supervisors are former union members who rose through the ranks of the industry. Many of these trades require a high school certificate, and those who aspire to be supervisors should have one. Although a rising number of firms are hiring supervisors with college training, few supervisors are college graduates.

To prepare for the CSCS exam, you can visit our website and practice with Free CSCS Test Online.

Supervisors should be well-versed in the field of construction. They learn how to accomplish a task, what problems to expect, and how to solve these problems through experience. Supervisors who started as apprentices and progressed to become seasoned craft workers have a good understanding of what to expect from their employees. They are aware of management policies and are attentive to how employees feel about them. They know how to negotiate with unions and handle grievances, which helps them prevent difficulties with workers. Employers value leadership abilities as well as construction trade expertise and skill.

The CSCS Gold Card, commonly known as the CSCS Supervisor Card, is the most significant qualification for Site Supervisors. In order to obtain the Gold CSCS Card you have to pass a Level 3 or 4 NVQ or SVQ in a construction-related sector. Participants’ training requirements will vary depending on the organisation and projects they will be handling in their new role.

CSCS Gold Supervisor Card
CSCS Gold Card is the most significant qualification for Site Supervisors

5. Construction site supervisor jobs outlook

The demand for site supervisors is likely to increase as the business sector and population growth. Both of these surges will help to motivate the development of municipal facilities and infrastructure upgrades in order to provide greater civilian assistance. Site supervisors will also be required for initiatives involving the energy efficiency of structures. Furthermore, as construction procedures get more precise, safety precautions have become more sophisticated and must be verified on a regular basis. The construction industry’s ebb and flow determines how frequently you will work in this profession.

In general, as a construction site supervisor, you need to cover many responsibilities, so having certain experience, skills, and qualifications will help you handle day-to-day tasks more easily.