One path for career progression is to become a shop foreman. The foreman is essentially the leader of the mechanic staff, and organizes and distributes their workload. In addition, a foreman is also responsible for dealing with staff issues, budgeting, and many other tasks. In most shops, they will continue to be a part of the repair team too, which makes it a great option for any mechanic who wants to move up in their career, but still likes to get their hands dirty.
Read on to learn about some of the duties that mechanic students might expect to deal with during a typical day as a shop foreman.
Shop Foremen Need Automotive Career Experience to Lead Their Teams
Most auto repair shops won’t consider a foreman without at least 3 to 5 years of mechanic experience. As the most senior member of the team, the foreman needs the knowhow to advise other mechanics about repairs, assign personnel to specific jobs, and inspect finished work.
During your auto mechanic career, you will also find that the foreman usually handles the hiring and training of new employees, as well as conducting performance reviews on an ongoing basis. In addition, they are often called upon to deal with personal issues among staff, such as disputes or disciplinary issues, so leadership skills are required to handle potentially difficult situations.
Being A Shop Foreman Requires More Admin Work Than A Standard Auto Mechanic Career
While a shop foreman usually still assists with repairs, they also take on extra clerical responsibilities and will spend a large portion of their day reviewing and processing work orders, as well as providing cost estimates for repairs.
Other administrative duties a foreman undertakes can include managing and preparing the department budget, taking inventory, and maintaining employee timesheets for payroll. As a result, the position requires strong organizational skills, as well as math and writing ability.
A Shop Foreman Manages All Aspects Of Auto Mechanic Services
Mechanic colleges make sure students are aware of how dangerous an automotive workplace can be, and one of the most important responsibilities a foreman has is implementing safety procedures on the shop floor. They must also keep track of the latest workplace safety and environmental requirements and make sure their shop is following them.
In addition, a shop foreman will often be involved in many different aspects of the shop’s business. It is usually their job to maintain and update equipment when required, and they may need to contact vendors in order to purchase supplies. In cases where the shop doesn’t have a service advisor, the shop foreman will also often be the member of the team who liaises with customers and handles sales.
