Within corporations, an upper manager is the person who
must take responsibility for and is accountable for the
success or failure of their particular operation. In large
corporations, top executives must meet with other top
executives to ensure that operations are being carried out
in accordance with the organization's goals and policies.
Plant managers, general managers, departmental
managers, and executive officers are all part of the top
executives who formulate the policies and directions of
corporations and agencies. The fundamental objective
that these executives must work towards is to ensure that
their business units make a profit for their shareholders
and owners. General managers and top executives work
to ensure that their organizations meet these objectives
and increase the shareholder's value.
The scope of high level executive's responsibilities depends
greatly upon the size of the organization. In larger
organizations, their duties may be highly specialized. For
example, they may oversee managers of marketing, sales,
purchasing, finance, personnel, etc. In a small firm. the chief
executive might be responsible for all or a number of these
functions.
Middle managers, in turn, direct the individual department's
activities within the framework of the organization's overall
plan. With the help of supervisory managers and their staffs,
these managers oversee and motivate their workers to achieve
the department's goals as rapidly as posiible.
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Establish business goals, methods, and procedures for
implementing programs.
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Directs and coordinates the business unit's activities and
oversees personnel responsible for specific program
functions.
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Reviews project proposals or plans to determine time
requirements and funding limitations within the business
unit.
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Establishes business plans which project funding, profit,
staffing, and time constraints of the business unit.
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Prepares departmental budget and spending allocations.
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Meets with staff to explain the business direction and
individual responsibilities for certain functions and
phases of the business unit.
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Prepares progress and status reports by analyzing and
summarizing the information and trends of the business
unit.
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Maintains product and company reputation by making
sure everyone complies with federal and state regulations.
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Directs and coordinates all activities through delegated
subordinates and establishes budget control systems to
govern expenditures.
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Review reports and records of activities to ensure that
progress is being made towards specific program objectives
modifies or changes methodology as required to redirect
activities and attain objectives.
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Supervises, trains and evaluates staff.
(Note: These are only a few typical duties that have been listed
to give you a general overview and understanding of the job
and responsibilities of a upper level manager)
