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Career Profile

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

What they do:

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Also Called:

Bakery Manager, Delicatessen Manager, Department Manager, Department Supervisor, Grocery Manager, Key Carrier, Meat Department Manager, Parts Sales Manager, Shift Manager, Store Manager, Bakery Manager, Delicatessen Manager, Department Manager, Department Supervisor, Grocery Manager, Key Carrier, Meat Department Manager, Parts Sales Manager, Shift Manager, Store Manager

RI Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$36,950
Starting Salary (2025)
$58,570
Median Salary (2025)
-5.0%
Projected Job Growth
3,880
RI Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods.
Assign employees to specific duties.
Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers.
Enforce safety, health, and security rules.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Enterprising
Business based Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Social
Working with people

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Leadership
Cooperation
Dependability
Self-Control

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Service Orientation
Speaking
Monitoring
Coordination
Social Perceptiveness

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Common Activities

Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 52%
  • Associate's degree 19%
  • Less than high school 14%
  • Post-secondary certificate 9%
  • Some college 6%
  • Other 0%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.