Foreman Job Description - OgaJob - Fastest Growing Job Board Site in Nigeria

A foreman, also called a supervisor or team leader, is critical when it comes to successful execution of projects in several sectors like construction, manufacturing, oil and gas.

Supervising activities on a construction site or other job activities requires the expertise of a foreman.

A foreman supervises and ensures that there is safety, quality, and efficiency on the site.

If you are planning to become a foreman or are looking to draft a compelling foreman job description, this guide explores everything about a foreman’s roles, responsibilities and career insight.

What Is a Foreman?

In simpler terms, a foreman is a working supervisor.

A foreman is usually a senior employee, who could also be a supervisor, that manages a cadre of employees and is responsible for the accomplishment of defined tasks in accordance with the set time and standards

He/she is expected to have first-hand expertise in a specific field so that he/she can work with the employees as well as supervise them.

A foreman serves as a link between the employees and the management. The services of a Foreman are required in various industries including construction, manufacturing, and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities of a Foreman

The job description of a foreman includes the following tasks:

Supervision of Team Members: As foremen, they are in charge of a cadre, or a team, of workers and make sure that each of them does what is expected of them. Instructional, supportive, and practical aid also needs to be directed to ensure that tasks are accomplished successfully.
Project Planning and Coordination: Foremen help in the planning of projects and also particular components including timing, resources, assignment, and control of finances.
Ensuring Safety and Quality Standards: Foremen is tasked with guaranteeing that all activities undertaken are in line with the established policies, requirements, standards as well as all other relative criteria.
Conducting Performance Evaluations: Foremen evaluate the performance of team members, providing feedback, coaching, and disciplinary actions as necessary.
Communicating with Management and Stakeholders: Foremen act as a liaison between management and workers, communicating project progress, issues, and concerns to stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications Required for a Foreman

In order to be a foreman, some technical and managerial skills need to be possessed, examples of such skills are:

Team and Leadership Skills: Supervising and inspiring workers to perform their duties effectively.
Professional Skills: Having adequate knowledge to complete tasks and rectify problems in the accepted industry standards.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to speak and write credibly and convincing to the workers, superiors, and customers.
Critical Thinking Skills: Ability to think on one’s feet and address challenges that arise at the workplace.
Project Planning Skills: Being in a position to complete set objectives in the stipulated time.
Monitoring Skills: Watching and assessing work performance and ensuring proper health and safety measures are enforced.
General Health: Possessing the ability to work under strenuous conditions for extended periods of time.

Qualifications and Experience Needed

A high school degree or a GED (Obtaining a college diploma is advantageous but not essential)
Couple of years working in the industry field of interest (like building, production, or petroleum and natural gas)
Possession of safety training programs ( like offered by OSHA) and other trade certifications as well as project management training.
Practical skill in handling and operating equipment and software programs related to planning and controlling projects.

Types of Foremen

Foremen can specialize in various fields, depending on the industry and project requirements:

Construction Foreman: Oversees building sites and coordinates construction activities.
Maintenance Foreman: Supervises maintenance tasks in factories, hospitals, or other institutions.
Manufacturing Foreman: Manages production lines in factories or plants.
Mechanical Foreman: Leads teams handling machinery installation, repair, or servicing.
Electrical Foreman

Supervises electrical installations and repairs.
Ensures adherence to electrical safety codes.
Manages project timelines and workforce assignments.

Salary Expectations for a Foreman

The result from our investigations of foreman’s salaries in Nigeria, it shows that a foreman earns an average salaries of between N149,000 to N411,000

According to data obtained from Salaryscale, a foreman working in Nigeria earns an average salary of ₦163,000 per month, while Worldsalaries data indicate that foreman earns between 88,958 NGN to 141,933 NGN per month for entry level.

Foreman salary in the United States is far higher than most other countries.In the United State, a foreman will receive $30.01 per hour or $4,531 per month according to data from Indeed.

However, a foreman’s salary depends on factors such as industry, location, experience, and company size.

Below is a rough estimate of a foreman’s salary according to industry.

Construction Foreman: $50,000 – $80,000 per year
Manufacturing Foreman: $45,000 – $75,000 per year
Oil and Gas Foreman: $70,000 – $120,000 per year
Electrical Foreman: $55,000 – $90,000 per year

Career Growth Opportunities

With a foreman’s position, one can subsequently apply for Site Supervisor, Project Manager, Operations Manager, and General Superintendent.

A Site Supervisor manages several foremen and several job sites.
A Project Manager oversees the project regarding its planning, budgeting, and its implementation.
An Operations Manager supervises the production or construction activities of the company.
A General Superintendent is responsible for large projects undertaken with several teams.

Conclusion on Foreman Job Description

The foreman’s contribution in assuring the projects are completed timely, in the most efficient and safest manner is priceless. Possessing the right set of skills, the required experience, and all necessary qualifications makes this career path very beneficial in terms of growth potential.

A job as a foreman has many opportunities in construction, manufacturing, oil, and gas sectors making the foreman’s role a significant one in human resource management and project management.