How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Updated April 25, 2024

6 min read

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (1)

A shift leader is a supervisory role responsible for managing a team during a specific shift. They oversee operations to ensure efficient and accurate work. Shift leaders also manage employee schedules, provide training and support, and handle customer complaints. They communicate with upper management and take responsibility for their team meeting the company's objectives. Shift leaders use communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Overall, they work to maintain operational efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.

How long does it takes to become a shift leader?

It typically takes 1-2 years to become a shift leader:

  • Year 1: Gain work experience in relevant duties and skills, such as customer service, team leadership, and operations management.
  • Year 2: Complete on-site or on-the-job training to learn company-specific policies, procedures, and systems.
  • Salary$33,841
  • Growth Rate10%
  • Jobs Number229,485
  • Most Common SkillPatients
  • Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma
  • Best StateMassachusetts

What are the pros and cons of being a Shift Leader?

Pros

  • Higher pay than regular employees

  • Exposure to different departments and operations within the company

  • Possibility for career advancement within the company

  • Flexibility in scheduling and shift preferences

  • Opportunities for bonuses or incentives based on performance

Cons

  • Longer work hours compared to regular employees

  • Higher stress levels and pressure to perform well

  • Can be challenging to maintain work-life balance due to shift work

  • May need to work weekends, holidays, or irregular hours

  • Constant need to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively

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Shift Leader career paths

A shift leader can choose from a variety of career paths. Some possible options include becoming an assistant manager, general manager, or store manager. Depending on their interests and skills, they might also consider becoming a district manager or operations manager. For those who enjoy leading a team, becoming a team leader or site manager could be a good fit. Additionally, shift leaders may choose to pursue careers as supervisors, office managers, or business owners.

Key steps to become a shift leader

  1. Explore shift leader education requirements

    The educational requirements for a shift leader typically include a high school diploma, with some positions requiring additional certifications such as OSHA Safety Certificate or Food Safety Manager Certification. According to Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D., Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher Education at Bethel University, "With the rapid rate of change, accelerating information turnover, and boundless access to knowledge, certain new soft skills may now be prioritized in our current society." These skills include imaginative bridging, humbly and curiously connecting dots, facilitation, and curation. She adds, "Employers are looking for skills that relate to not only the day-to-day tactical aspects of educational leadership but also imaginative problem-solving for a thriving future."

    Most common shift leader degrees

    High School Diploma

    36.2

    %

    Bachelor's

    30.8

    %

    Associate

    20.7

    %

  2. Start to develop specific shift leader skills

    A shift leader's responsibilities include managing closing duties, completing paperwork, and providing senior management with accurate documentation. They also provide case management, supervise adolescents, and provide crisis intervention. Additionally, they maintain cleanliness, handle cash, and provide excellent customer service. They also develop strong customer service and communication skills, manage cash drawers, and distribute shipments. They are also skilled at managing labor, inventory, and product quality. They are responsible for auditing inventory and bank deposits, and completing basic accounting responsibilities.

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients8.60%
    Customer Complaints8.55%
    Customer Service7.02%
    Math6.89%
    Safety Standards5.78%

    Show more

  3. Complete relevant shift leader training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New shift leaders 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 leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real shift leader resumes.

  4. Gain additional shift leader certifications

    Shift leader 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 leader certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for shift leaders include OSHA Safety Certificate and Food Safety Manager Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research shift leader duties and responsibilities

    A shift leader's responsibilities include managing closing duties, such as restocking items and reconciling cash drawers, and providing case management and documentation for individual treatment plans. They must also maintain cleanliness, support and assist customers and customer service representatives with technical issues, and develop strong customer service and communication skills. They are also responsible for supervising workers and evaluating their performance, and providing exceptional customer service. They must ensure that food safety standards are maintained and follow established safety and security procedures. Additionally, they must manage cash control/security procedures, complete basic accounting responsibilities, and track labor costs. They may also be responsible for providing professional and exceptional client service, coordinating time management, and maintaining good communication between employees.

    • Prepare overall security plans and manage security operations of organization, including assignments, staffing and payroll.
    • Maintain maintenance and cleanliness of the facility which exceeds customer satisfaction and quality standards.
    • Team leadership for excellent customer service delivery during schedule shift including supervision of service associates and pharmacy technicians.
    • Answer all incoming calls a long with booking appointments.
  6. Get shift leader experience

  7. Prepare your shift leader resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your shift leader 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 leader 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 Leader Resume templates

    Build a professional

    Shift Leader

    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 Leader resume.
  8. Apply for shift leader jobs

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

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

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (18)

Are you a Shift Leader?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average shift leader salary

The average Shift Leader salary in the United States is $33,841 per year or $16 per hour. Shift leader salaries range between $26,000 and $43,000 per year.

Average

Shift Leader

Salary

$33,841Yearly

$16.27

hourly

More shift leader salary info

What Am I Worth?

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (19)

How do shift leaders rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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3 Stars

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1 Star

Shift Leader reviews

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (20)

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

Safety of the employees and opportunities to learn and leadership

Cons

Not to be listened by the employees

Shift Leader FAQs

Have more questions?

See all answers to common food preparation and restaurant questions.

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Shift Leader jobs by state

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  • Shift Leader jobs in Utah
  • Shift Leader jobs in Virginia
  • Shift Leader jobs in Vermont
  • Shift Leader jobs in Washington
  • Shift Leader jobs in Wisconsin
  • Shift Leader jobs in West Virginia
  • Shift Leader jobs in Wyoming

Updated April 25, 2024

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (21)

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Shift Leader Related Careers

  • Assistant Manager/Shift Manager
  • Assistant Shift Supervisor
  • Cashier/Shift Manager
  • Crew Leader
  • Crew Manager
  • Customer Service Leader
  • Guest Services Leader
  • Kitchen Lead
  • Lead Crew Member
  • Leader
  • Night Shift Manager
  • Sales Leader
  • Server And Shift Manager
  • Shift Lead Manager
  • Shift Manager

Shift Leader Related Jobs

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  • Crew Leader Jobs
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Shift Leader Jobs By Location

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Shift Leader Jobs By Company

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  • Zippia Careers
  • Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
  • Shift Leader

Updated April 25, 2024

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How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

FAQs

How To Become A Shift Leader: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia? ›

The typical career path for a shift manager results in advancing to crew manager, then assistant manager, and then, in some cases, manager for the establishment.

What is the career path of a shift manager? ›

The typical career path for a shift manager results in advancing to crew manager, then assistant manager, and then, in some cases, manager for the establishment.

How do you become a shift leader? ›

In most cases, you need to be at least 18-years-old, and some companies may require you to have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Other than those requirements, leadership skills, organization, and teamwork are the qualities that can help you become a shift leader.

What experience do you need to be a shift leader? ›

Question Overview: An ideal candidate will have experience in a shift management position. If they do not have any, they should have experience in a position that is similar to the one you are hiring for. For example, if you are hiring for a shift manager position, they should have experience in a management position.

What is the career path of a team lead? ›

It typically takes 4.5-6 years to become a team leader: First 4.5 years: Gain necessary work experience in relevant duties and skills. Next 6-12 months: Complete on-site training. Next 6-12 months: Undergo on-the-job training.

Is shift leader higher than manager? ›

First and foremost, a manager oversees shift leaders as well as other employees. Some shift leaders only oversee a department, like a kitchen at a restaurant, while the manager oversees all of the employees within that restaurant, not just an individual team.

What are the key duties of a shift leader? ›

A Shift Leader, or Shift Manager, is in charge of providing direct supervision to employees at shift-based companies to ensure the business operates correctly. Their duties include covering for employee absences, managing cash drops from the register and resolving problems that occur during their shift.

How much do shift leaders make in the US? ›

As of Jun 13, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Shift Leader in the United States is $15.09 an hour.

How much do shift team leaders make? ›

starting from £29,845 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience).

Is it worth being a shift leader? ›

Shift manager jobs typically offer flexibility, which is ideal for balancing work and family responsibilities. Shift managers don't have to work 40 hours or more each week as general and assistant managers do. They can work part-time hours and even choose the shifts they prefer working.

Can I be a team leader with no experience? ›

If you're interested in making key decisions, leading people and organizing projects, you might consider becoming a manager. With strong interpersonal and leadership skills , it's possible to become a manager even without direct experience.

What is the difference between a shift lead and a shift team lead? ›

A shift lead makes sure that all employees that show up for their shift have a job and a purpose and that they stick to it. A team lead is there to maintain order, count money, and deal with any issues that a customer might have.

Do you need a degree to be a team lead? ›

To become a team leader, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. Usually, team leaders have degrees in business, engineering, or another field related to the industry they work in. For instance, if you want to be a team leader in the construction industry, you need a degree in civil engineering.

What level of management is a shift manager? ›

Shift Managers report to upper management while having a middle-management level of authority. On a daily basis, a Shift Manager interacts with customers, assigns tasks, motivates staff, and solves problems. They take on the responsibilities of staff members when an organization's capacity is limited.

Is a shift manager a good career? ›

Hands-on Experience. Being a shift manager gives an individual hands-on managerial experience that can be a stepping stone to positions of increasing responsibility with a higher wage. Many shift managers perform some of the same functions as assistant and general managers.

What is the scope of shift manager? ›

As a shift manager, you keep business operations running throughout the day. You supervise frontline operations by assigning tasks to employees and ensuring customer satisfaction during your shift. You also deal with customer complaints or low inventory issues to ensure they don't affect customer satisfaction.

What is the career path of a manager? ›

Following entry-level, there are several Manager career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Manager to progress to the senior manager position. Each advanced Manager position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Manager career path.

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