Current job title: Administrative
Assistant I
Industry: Manufacturing - Boat Stern
Drives
Department: Supply Chain & Procurement
Departments
Years worked in this industry: 2
Years worked in this department: 2
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): Previously
had 20 years legal secretary experience with 4 years additional executive
administrative experience both in the USA and the UK
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: Two Department Managers and
Direct Report Staff of 8
Typical work hours: 6:00 am - 6:30 PM
to 7:00 PM
Weekends or overtime hours: I work
almost every day overtime, and some weekends. I usually do not turn OT in
but take equivalent time off.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): approx. $28,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): We have
a boating program where we can take a boat for the weekend for family use;
our health insurance is excellent and I pay $47 a month premium, the
company pays more than $300 for the monthly balance; we get 1/2 health
club memberships; we get 13 paid holidays a calendar year;
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
(1) Supplier Report Cards: This is a monthly sheet which lets the supplier
know what areas we have rated their performance for the prior month in
several different categories, timely deliveries, quality of goods, etc.;
(2) cycle counts: The number of production pieces produced during one
cycle (quarterly, daily, monthly, etc)
(3) Daily Gross Sales Reports: shows the daily sales figures for our
production plant, and others in same production areas;
A typical day on the job: Putting
together reports, running reports, keeping everyone on their daily
schedules, posting announcements from corporate office; making travel
arrangements; organizing meetings; recording minutes for meetings; serving
on committees; arranging luncheons, filling in for hourly position on
switchboard for short breaks; outgoing mail, incoming mail, keeping two
directors calendar's up-to-date; maintaining office supply stock for three
departments; much more, but will stop there.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I love the people,
manufacturing brings a diverse group of people from all across the world
together; also, being a part of a worldwide organization has more benefits
and the pay is much higher in corporate structure.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: If the corporate office is
located outside of the USA, there tends to be less understanding of
structural differences; corporate offices tend to be top heavy while
expecting branches outside of the corporate headquarters run lean; and
finally, one tends to be seen as a "headcount" instead of a human.
Type of workspace/office: open air desk between
both doors of the directors' offices (my choice).
This serves well for controlling traffic flow to each
office, knowing when my directors leave and where they may be going and
assists in co-workers letting me know things to pass along wherein frees
up time for the directors not being disturbed.
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Daily/weekly/monthly reports;
travel arrangements; calendar maintenance; correspondence; meeting
preparations / minutes.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: Must
be people oriented, must be flexible and must be willing to assist others
with any job duties
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
laptop, fax, copier, scanner, switchboard,
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
none
Critical soft skills: Communication,
because departments must share time sensitive information as quickly as
possible; sometimes this information may not be well received so one must
be sensitive in the delivery and understanding of the reaction.
Pace of this position: Very fast
Geographical region: Central Southwest
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™