First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers in Santa Clara County

May also be called: Retail Store Managers; Retail Supervisors and Managers; Retail Managers; and Store Managers

What Would I Do?

First-Line Supervisors and Managers of Retail Sales Workers monitor the work of sales-related workers, such as retail salespersons, cashiers, customer service representatives, stock clerks, order fillers, and sales representatives.

The duties of Retail Supervisors and Managers vary with the size of the retail business. Larger companies usually have numerous levels of management. Those who supervise workers are considered Supervisors. Managers oversee Supervisors. In larger retail establishments, First-Line Supervisors may specialize in one department, such as women’s apparel or housewares.

Retail Supervisors and Managers are generally responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training employees. They also prepare work schedules and assign workers to specific jobs. Their responsibilities may include purchasing, budgeting, accounting, or responding to customer inquiries or complaints. Retail Managers put company policies and security procedures into effect.

Retail Supervisors and Managers must be adaptable to change and willing to learn about newer technologies such as computerized cash registers, bar-coding and scanning technologies, radio frequency inventory control equipment, electronic funds transfer equipment, and time accounting software.

Working Conditions

A large portion of the Retail Supervisors and Managers’ day is spent on the sales floor, supervising employees or selling merchandise. Some of their time is spent in the office completing work schedules or merchandise orders.

Retail Supervisors and Managers work at least 40 hours a week. They sometimes work long irregular hours including evenings and weekends during special sale events, holidays, or inventory. Schedules are likely to be changed regularly. Retail Supervisors and Managers are also called in to work on short notice to substitute for employees who are unable to report to work.

Will This Job Fit Me?

The job of Retail Supervisor or Manager will appeal to those who enjoy taking the initiative to start up and carry out projects. The Retail Supervisor or Manager occupation satisfies those with enterprising interests. Enterprising occupations often involve leading people and making many decisions that may require risk taking and often deals with business.

What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?

Wages

The median wage in 2021 for Retail Sales Supervisors in California was $45,365 annually, or $21.81 hourly. The median wage for Retail Sales Supervisors in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties was $43,632 annually, or $20.98 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Benefits

Benefit packages vary from company to company. Many Retail Supervisors and Managers may expect to receive paid vacation, health insurance, 401k retirement plans, and employee discounts on personal purchases.

What Do Local Employers Say About Benefits?  Of the 35 employers in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, most provide vacation and medical insurance and sick leave, and many provide dental insurance benefits to Retail Sales Supervisors who work full-time.

Of the 26 employers surveyed who responded in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, who provides medical benefits, almost all reported that they pay half or more of the cost of medical insurance for full-time, and none reported that they pay half or more of the cost of medical insurance for part-time Retail Sales Supervisors.

What is the Job Outlook?

Future employment opportunities for Retail Supervisors and Managers will be limited because retailers are hiring more sales staff and increasing the responsibilities of existing Retail Supervisors.

The trend of increased Internet sales and electronic commerce may reduce the number of sales workers and therefore reduce the need for additional Retail Supervisors and Managers. The majority of job openings will occur as Retail Supervisors and Managers promote into higher management positions, transfer to other occupations, or retire from the labor force.

Projections of Employment

In California, the number of Retail Sales Supervisors is expected to decline between 2018 and 2028.

In San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, the number of Retail Sales Supervisors is expected to decline between 2018 and 2028.

How Do I Qualify?

Education, Training, and Other Requirements

Educational requirements vary widely from company to company. Some large employers may require Retail Store Managers to have an associate or bachelor’s degree along with retail experience. Many employers prefer to hire First-Line Supervisors with a high school diploma or equivalent. Large retail chains often offer company-sponsored formal management trainee programs that include classroom and on-site training.

Experience

Many Retail Supervisors and Managers learn the basics of merchandising, customer service, and company policies through work experience by beginning their careers on the sales floor as cashiers or customer service representatives. The amount and type of experience required will vary from company to company. Some larger companies prefer to hire employees with experience in “Big Box” large retail settings.

Early Career Planning

High school preparation courses in accounting, marketing, management, psychology, sociology, public speaking, and computer technology provide a helpful background for those pursing a career in Retail Supervision and Management. Also, part-time entry retail jobs provide valuable experience.

Continuing Education

Formal continuing education is not required for Retail Supervisors and Managers. However, it is a good idea for Supervisors and Managers to keep abreast of both technological and company policy changes. Larger retail companies offer training programs that cover all functions of the company’s operation.

Where Can I Find Training?

There are two ways to search for training information:

• Search by Field of Study to find what programs are available and what schools offer those programs. You may use keywords such as: Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management, Retail and Retail Operations.
• Search by Training Provider to find schools by name, type of school, or location.

Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work.

Where Would I Work?

The largest industries employing Retail Sales Supervisors are as follows:

What Employers Say...

The Employment Development Department surveyed 35 employers in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties which employ 131 Retail Sales Supervisors. Here's what they had to say:

About Full-Time/Part-Time: Almost All of these firms employ full-time and few employ part-time Retail Sales Supervisors.

About Work Experience:  Of the 35 employers surveyed in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, almost all require new hires to have prior work experience as Retail Sales Supervisors. In the table below, percentages may not add to 100% since employers may select more than one time period.

About Recruitment:  Of the 35 employers surveyed in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, almost all indicate it is moderately difficult to find applicants with experience who meet their minimum hiring requirements, while most indicate it is easy to find applicants without previous experience who meet their minimum hiring requirements to fill vacancies for Retail Sales Supervisors.

About Hiring:  Of the 35 employers surveyed in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, most expect the number of Retail Sales Supervisors they employ to remain stable during the coming year.

About Vacancies:  Of the 35 employers surveyed in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, 37 percent hired Retail Sales Supervisors during the past year. Of the hiring firms, 92 percent filled existing vacancies, 23 percent filled newly created positions, and none filled temporary assignments.

Finding a Job

Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. Many schools operate placement centers for their students. Jobs may also be found through classified advertisements in newspapers and trade publications.  Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBS^SM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.

To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. (requires Adobe Reader).

Yellow Page Headings

You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Retail Sales Supervisors.

• Building Materials
• Clothes & Apparel
• Department Stores
• Employment Agencies
• Grocers & Markets-Retail
• Health & Diet Food Products-Retail
• Jewelers-Retail
• Medical Equipment & Supplies
• Sales Training
• Shopping Centers & Malls
• Shopping Service

Find Possible Employers

To locate a list of employers in your area, go to "Find Employers" on the Labor Market Information Web site:

• Select one of the top industries that employ the occupation. This will give you a list of employers in that industry in your area.
• Click on "View Filter Selections" to limit your list to specific cities or employer size.
• Click on an employer for the street address, telephone number, size of business, Web site, etc.
• Contact the employer for possible employment.

Where Could This Job Lead?

In many retail establishments, managers are promoted from within the company. In small retail establishments, where the number of positions is limited, advancement to a higher management position may come slowly. Large establishments often have extensive career ladder programs and may offer supervisors the opportunity to transfer to another store in the chain or to a central office. Some managers may need to relocate every few years in order to advance. Retail Supervisors may also advance to positions in advertising, marketing, promotions, and public relations. They may also become purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents.

Related Occupations

Below is a list of occupations related to Retail Sales Supervisors with links to more information.

Other Sources

• American Management Association
       www.amanet.org
• National Association of Convenience Stores
       www.nacsonline.com
• National Grocers Association
       www.nationalgrocers.org
• National Retail Federation
       www.nrf.com/retailcareers

These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.

For the Career Professional

The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.