The role
As a security supervisor, you lead the guards on one or more sites. You draw up shift rosters, brief each team, check posts and patrols, and control access for people and vehicles. You write incident reports, coordinate with the police or fire services when needed and make sure every guard follows the site's procedures.
Who is hiring
Private security companies, mining and oil sites, banks, hotels, shopping malls, factories, embassies and NGO compounds hire security supervisors. The job is on-site, often with night shifts and rotating schedules, and remote sites may work on rotation.
Background and career path
Many come up from guard roles, others from the army, police or gendarmerie, and a fire safety or first aid certificate is often expected. Experienced supervisors move up to site security manager or head of security.