Despite the fact that today almost every specialist with a higher education is called a manager, in fact this profession includes a specific list of specialties with specific job responsibilities. The material in this article will tell readers what is meant by the word “manager” and what are the main types of this profession.
What is this profession?
The manager is a specialist in the management of the production process. His responsibilities include solving various kinds of managerial tasks. In fact, this is a professional in a certain activity, who is engaged in the organization and production, marketing and service, able to independently solve administrative issues.
This is a managerial position in an area of work. His job responsibilities include various tasks, for example:
- organization of production of competitive products;
- introduction of new technologies into the workflow;
- improving the quality characteristics of manufactured goods;
- bringing the production process to perfection;
- reduction of financial costs of production;
- increase in profit of the enterprise;
- customer satisfaction;
- increase in management efficiency.
Main types
The profession of "manager" is not universal. Specialists do not solve the same tasks, they differ in functional level (for example, there are ordinary and chief employees of enterprises). Each organization has its own differentiation associated with the level of complexity of the tasks and responsibilities assigned to a particular specialist. According to the vertical division, Conventionally, managers are classified into 3 levels: higher, middle and lower.
Top management
Top managers of this level are CEOs, directors, as well as board members. They determine the main direction of work of a particular enterprise. They set goals and objectives, determine business formation strategies, and establish contacts with suppliers of raw materials, banks, and authorities. Leading experts are well versed in their work, they are the highest paid category of managers.
They know the production technology, implement programs and work plans, control the activities of subordinates, and are able to deploy personnel in accordance with the vertical division of labor.
These company employees are engaged in a continuous analysis of information from mid-level managers. On its basis, they make adjustments to the work plan of the enterprise.
Average
Mid-level Specialists are subordinate to top managers and are responsible for the practical implementation of their decisions and strategies. They are engaged in planning, organizing, coordinating, and also monitoring the work of employees in their departments. This group of specialists includes directors of commercial structures, heads of departments of a particular enterprise (department heads, heads). These managers know no less than top-level colleagues.
However, they are limited in terms of making independent decisions. These are middle managers between top and bottom managers. They are engaged in the preparation of information, on the basis of which top management makes certain decisions.
Such experts submit decisions made in a more convenient form from a technological point of view to the managers of the lower level.
Inferior
Production managers deal with operational tasks. These are the junior bosses, in whose submission are the performers and workers. Their job is to manage specific groups within structural units. Along with leadership activities, such managers are directly involved in the implementation of tasks.
This is the largest group of management personnel. They are involved in staff work planning, motivation, and ensure that resources are spent rationally. In addition, they collect, analyze and provide senior management with information on the results of the work of their department.
Types of activity
The classification of managers implies the division of managers according to the type of tasks they perform. The list of specialists includes more than 10 varieties and directions. Each of them implies certain requirements for a person. Distribution of duties is considered one of the best ways of classification.
Managers are different. These include administrative, operational, creative, innovative, banquet, visa managers, managers of the call center, warehouse. In addition to them, these may be such specialists: bar manager, SEO manager, booking, insurance manager, compliance manager, sales representative, operator.
The division of management is vertical and horizontal. The second defines the linear organizers of the work. Line managers give work to employees of their unit at their level, while the level of manager depends on the hierarchy of the company. Functional managers are responsible for the activities of the departments of the company entrusted to them. They allow line managers to make independent decisions.
By sales
These managers are responsible for the financial well-being of the company. They hire such specialists to increase sales, expand their customer base, and strengthen partnerships. A sales manager must be stress-resistant, sociable, proactive.In addition to organizational skills, such a leader has customer focus, analytical and mathematical thinking.
He knows how to not only hear people, but also to convince them, shows patience and commitment. Such a specialist works on the result at a tactical level. He identifies potential sales opportunities, and also works out a product promotion strategy.
This is a well-paid job with career opportunities.
By procurement
The duty of this manager is to purchase goods from suppliers at prices that are optimal for a particular company. Such a specialist is not only attentive and sociable. He is responsible, active, decent, stress resistant. The list of his functional duties differs from other colleagues.
Purchasing Manager well versed in the assortment of goods of the company where he works, as well as pricing methods, the basics of civil and commercial law. His responsibilities include monitoring the filling of storage facilities with necessary goods, planning their volume. The procurement operator finds suppliers with low prices, resolves claims issues with them.
By advertisement
Advertising Manager can be called a specialist in the promotion of goods and services. This work differs from a marketer in a practical approach, using various means to increase sales. The head communicates with the staff of the enterprise, he establishes external contacts, develops promotional campaigns and advertising tactics.
A specialist in this profession chooses a product promotion strategy, increases sales, analyzes the activities of the company, and builds up a client base. He concludes contracts, maintains documentation, places advertising materials. In addition, he works with graphics and design. Depending on the specifics of the company, he may engage in presentations.
By marketing
Such specialists are in demand both in large and in small organizations. They are engaged in conducting events, the purpose of which is to identify the target audience with its needs. These managers are involved in researching the demand for goods, and are studying the market for competitive goods and services. They monitor the manufacturing industry, organize the work of interviewers who find out the preferences of customers.
Professional marketers not only research the market, they develop and promote brands, attract consumers. Such specialists understand the basics of economics, sociology, psychology, cultural studies, mass communication, linguistics.
They develop and adjust marketing plans, are responsible for the accuracy of the information in the reports, as well as for the quality of the analysis.
Brand manager
This specialist is engaged in the promotion of goods of a particular brand or brand. He uses all available methods in order to popularize the products of his company. This is a strategist with organizational and job responsibilities. Such a specialist is engaged in the study and analysis of supply and demand for specific products of the company.
A leader of this type is in demand among manufacturers of goods in large and small businesses. He monitors the reputation of the company, studies the market of competitors, is engaged in planning the promotion of the brand, forms prices and assortment. His responsibilities include conducting marketing research. He works with merchandisers, predicts sales, develops product sales schemes, and prepares reports.
By transport
The transport manager is well versed in the organization of loading and unloading. He coordinates the transportation of raw materials and finished products of the enterprise. This is a specialist who understands the state of the transport services market.He assesses the condition, trends of the transport services market, knows the addresses of major customers and suppliers.
His job responsibilities are to coordinate the transportation of raw materials and finished goods in order to obtain the optimal result of the ratio of costs and quality of services. He selects the best routes, organizes the work of his own transport, collaborates with transport companies.
Such a leader is responsible for the safety of the material assets entrusted to him.
Customer service
The customer service manager captures the mood of customers and offers them what they most need. Specialists are looking for customers through various available channels. Such managers analyze the market, identify the target audience and monitor the work of competitors. In addition, they attract customers by forming their interest in the company's product.
The duties of these specialists include processing of incoming calls, as well as email. They are customer-oriented, work at a high level, turning potential customers into regular customers of the company. This is the leading link of the company, customer service managers draw up business plans, business proposals and contracts.
By development
The development manager is none other than the internal consultant of the company engaged in business development. He looks at the business as a whole, finds critical points for its growth and development. His job is to build relationships with customers. He thinks out a communication strategy, implements it in each of the departments of the enterprise.
Such a person knows how to manage personnel, he quickly resolves conflicts, finds a way out of difficult situations. This is a confident PC user, working in graphic editors, fluent in English. He knows how to convince, active, firm, persistent, strict, teach, punctual, decent.
This leader quickly copes with a large flow of information, he knows how to support his arguments with arguments.
Project manager
Such specialists are involved in the implementation and delivery of customer projects on time. The position is considered highly responsible, the head controls every stage of the project. The final result and customer satisfaction depend on his work. Among the professions in demand, it is worth noting spheres of finance, construction, sports, IT-technologies.
The specialist leads the project, is determined with the timing of its implementation and budget. His authority includes the conclusion of contracts, he completely manages the project campaign, agrees with the client the deadlines, stipulates the nuances of the projects.
In addition, the profession provides for the maintenance of technical documentation.
Financial
This specialist is engaged in managing the money of the enterprise. His responsibilities are the efficient use of resources, as well as the optimization of cash flow.. The financial manager evaluates the potential capabilities of the company, he is engaged in planning and cost control, works with customers, ensures solvency and liquidity of the company. Besides, he also has organizational obligations.
Since the financial manager is engaged in financial activities and management, he must have a higher economic education. Such a specialist should understand the analysis of the financial market. This is a person with knowledge of accounting, who knows how to work with securities and credit organizations. He is needed to attract financing of the enterprise.
By staff
Such a department head is necessary for the formation of the personnel of the enterprise. The responsibilities of the HR manager include the selection of specialists necessary for the company. In addition to controlling the personnel reserve, he is engaged in the creation of intangible labor motivation.The personnel manager is developing the organization of trainings and continuing education courses for employees.
He works with candidates, conducts interviews, and provides staffing for the organization of the necessary professions. HR manager manages employees subordinate to him. He oversees the labor market, informs management about the situation with personnel, their wages.
Such a specialist conducts personal files of employees, makes decisions on the issues of hiring, transferring, and promoting the staff of employed employees.
Other specializations
In addition to the main activities, the number of managers includes other specialists. For instance, tourism manager organizes tourist trips. He takes over the rest of his company’s clients. Such a leader develops a strategy for the route to the resting place and back.
He selects the area, hotel, selects an entertainment program, implements the company's product. In addition, such a manager analyzes the activities of competing firms and designs advertising products.
Office Manager engaged in documentation, monitors the condition of equipment at the enterprise. His responsibilities include the procurement of necessary stationery. He maintains a time sheet, prepares business meetings, draws up passes, monitors the maintenance of equipment.
Bar manager responsible for the bar, this is the main person in the bar. He organizes the work, provides the bar with the necessary equipment. His job responsibilities include communication with suppliers, ensuring proper conditions for the storage of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Such a person is the chief consultant of the designer in the design of the bar area.
Cleaning Manager controls the cleaning of the premises. He teaches staff the basics of proper technological cleaning, develops and adjusts cleaning routines. This manager distributes tasks and cleaning areas between employees subordinate to him. In addition, he controls the appearance of employees, and maintains a positive psychological climate in the team.
Production managers deal with the optimization of production volume. Suppliers and distributors are responsible for the purchase, delivery, storage of raw materials and goods, are involved in the signing of contracts. Innovative managers manage research work. They create prototypes of products.
For more information on this profession, see the next video.