Department Supervisor Jobs in California
Department Supervisor jobs in California are consistently in demand, with active hiring concentrated in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing from entry-level team leads through senior operations supervisors. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area generate the largest share of openings, anchored by employers like Target, Kaiser Permanente, and Amazon. The most sought-after specialties in California include retail floor supervision, warehouse and distribution management, and patient services coordination. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Element has an opportunity for a Department Supervisor within the Dynamics Department. The Department Supervisor is a key member of the department's safety team and provides awareness around safety first. You will be relied upon heavily by other colleagues such as technicians, peers, Department Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager and other positions. In this role you will guide the technical staff in timely completion of daily work and may be designated as the main contact for customer on-site visits.
SALARY
Salary: $70,000 - $90,000/yr DOE
Responsibilities
- Manage initiatives for the department set forth and in conjunction with location safety strategy
- Under the direction of the Department Manager and / or Operations Manager, assist in the efficient operation and growth of the assigned department
- Provide professional and timely customer service to both internal and external customers
- Ensure customer satisfaction through daily interaction with technicians and execution of operational jobs
- Provide direct supervision of lab technical staff
- Provide status updates, quote assistance and other internal and external customer service responsibilities as needed
- Work with department supervisors, technical experts, or technicians at the local laboratory to obtain input and assist in the creation for testing scope, delivery of items needed from other support departments within the location (i.e.: design, machine shop on fixture design and creation)
- Assist in providing complex quotations and provide quick and accurate quotations or be part of the team that provides quotes to customers
- Under the direction of the assigned Department Manager, may participate and contribute in perform supervisory responsibilities to include hiring decisions, performance management input, decisions and execution, and approval of overtime and timecards
- Understand the customer needs to translate and deliver desired customer results
- Adhere to, support and follow all Element safety guidelines
- Project management, employee development, discipline, other transactional duties associated with this role
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor’s degree in technical field and college level courses completed or a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role in an industry similar or related to the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) industry with a diploma or GED certificate preferred
- A good understanding of Metals Fatigue and Fracture testing methods per ASTM, ISO and similar standards
- Working knowledge of laboratory safety
- Strong computer skills and basic mathematical skills with the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry a plus
- Ability to lift <50 lbs. often and > 50 lbs. on occasion and stand on foot for long periods of time
- Ability to work primarily alone and make independent decisions during the workday
- Ability to communicate and demonstrate the importance of meeting all applicable requirements of assigned department
- Proven ability to read, understand and interpret program or test requirements and have ability to analyze and translate into finished testing or report data
- Excellent communication skills and telephone etiquette
- Proficient skill in word processing and spreadsheet software
- High impact of experience on the business at the local commercial, technical and operational level
- Proven and recognized ability to provide accurate and timely status reports to internal and external customers
- Ability to track multiple testing jobs / programs from start to finish and assist with contract review of job status daily, including follow-up emails and phone calls daily to and from internal and external customers
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.
When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.
While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.
Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.
All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
“If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job, please email Recruitment@element.com”
See All 7 Department Supervisor Jobs in California
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Find Department Supervisor JobsDepartment Supervisor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Department Supervisor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Whole Foods Market3

- California Department of Public Health2

- Element Materials Technology1

- San Francisco Unified School District1

Top Industries Hiring
- Retail3
- Government & Public Sector2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Education1
- Medical Devices1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in department supervisor jobs across California.
- Three or more years of supervisory or team lead experience in a relevant California industry
- Demonstrated ability to manage shift schedules, staffing levels, and daily operations
- Proficiency with inventory management, point-of-sale, or warehouse management systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating cross-functional California teams
- Experience conducting performance reviews and coaching direct reports toward measurable goals
- Familiarity with California labor law basics including meal break and overtime requirements
Department Supervisor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a department supervisor in California?
Most California employers promote department supervisors from within or hire candidates who have already held a team lead or assistant manager role in the same industry. There is no state-issued license required for most department supervisor positions, though roles in healthcare settings may require a California Department of Public Health credential relevant to the department. A bachelor's degree in business, operations, or a related field strengthens candidacy, but demonstrated supervisory experience is weighted heavily by California employers.
How much do department supervisors make in California?
Department supervisors in California earn a median of about $54,870 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $38,860 for the lowest 10% to over $77,590 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire department supervisors in California?
Employers hiring department supervisors in California right now include Whole Foods Market, California Department of Public Health, and Element Materials Technology, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large retail footprint, extensive hospital networks, and concentration of distribution centers mean openings appear across both major metro areas and inland logistics corridors like the Inland Empire.
Which California cities have the most department supervisor jobs?
Sacramento, Del Mar, and Huntington Beach have the most department supervisor openings in California. Los Angeles dominates on volume given its dense retail, healthcare, and entertainment infrastructure, while San Diego and the Bay Area draw demand from biotech, defense, and technology employers that staff structured departmental teams requiring dedicated supervisors.
Are there remote department supervisor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Department supervisor roles are typically tied to a physical location, whether a retail floor, warehouse, clinical unit, or production facility, making fully remote work uncommon for the core duties. About 29% of department supervisor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to concentrate in administrative or customer service departments where oversight can be exercised digitally.
How can I get hired as a department supervisor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a team lead or shift supervisor role first, which large California retailers like Target and Walmart and major healthcare systems like Dignity Health and Sutter Health use as a proving ground before promoting to full department supervisor. Candidates without supervisory history can strengthen their applications by completing a California community college certificate in management or operations, transferring from a high-responsibility individual contributor role such as senior associate or lead technician, or completing a structured associate program at a large California distribution or logistics employer.
Where can I find and apply to department supervisor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to department supervisor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your industry and experience level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 7 Department Supervisor Jobs in California
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Find Department Supervisor Jobs