What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of A Site Supervisor?

What are the roles and responsibilities of a site supervisor? In this blog, we’ll explore the key duties that define this critical role on a construction project and how it fits into the broader structure of the field team.

Understanding the Term “Site Supervisor”

The term site supervisor can mean different things depending on where you are. In Europe, it’s often synonymous with site manager or superintendent, while in North America, it typically refers to someone who operates between the foreman and superintendent. In some cases, it may even describe a foreman who takes on full operational control of the site.

Before diving deeper, it’s important to define which version of the role applies to your project. Once that’s clear, the responsibilities become much easier to understand.

Position and Role

In a typical North American context, the site supervisor acts as a bridge between foremen and the superintendent. This role focuses heavily on ensuring the site runs smoothly day to day, managing logistics, deliveries, parking, crane and forklift coordination, site cleanliness, safety, power, and utilities. Essentially, the site supervisor keeps the project operational and organized.

Responsibilities and Safety

One of the most important aspects of the role is safety. A site supervisor is 100% responsible for maintaining safe working conditions. If something unsafe occurs, it’s not someone else’s job, it’s yours to address immediately. The standard is simple: if you see something, fix something.

Determining Area Readiness

An area is ready for handover to the next trade only when:

• Work is complete, inspected, and punched.
• The area is demobilized, cleaned, and accepted by the next trade.
• The incoming trade has everything it needs to start work immediately (full kit).

This checklist ensures smooth workflow transitions and prevents delays.

Authority in the Field

While a site supervisor shouldn’t make major decisions in isolation such as altering schedules or sequences, there’s room for smaller, day-to-day calls. The rule of thumb is: if it doesn’t create significant ripple effects or negatively impact others, make the call. If it does, bring it to the team huddle.

Managing Trade Performance

If a trade falls behind, it’s your responsibility to escalate the issue. Communication is key. Supervisors should act quickly to “pull the andon”, in other words, pause the work, huddle up, and solve the problem together. This isn’t tattling; it’s collaboration for the safety and success of the team.

Daily Routine

A structured daily routine helps maintain control:

• Start with a morning site walk and join the worker huddle.
• Inspect key zones, safety setups, logistics, and equipment operations.
• Spend half the day maintaining site stability and the other half planning ahead and solving problems.

This rhythm creates consistent progress while keeping the job stable and predictable.

Conclusion

The site supervisor’s role is about coordination, safety, and leadership. By balancing daily control with forward planning, they become the backbone of project stability. If you’re stepping into this role, use these principles as a foundation to build from and always keep communication and safety at the core of your work.