First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

The occupation "First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers" has an automation risk of 52.0%, reflecting a moderate likelihood that many aspects of the role could be replaced by automation in the coming years. The base risk is calculated at 52.8%, which aligns closely with the specific risk for this occupation. This percentage indicates that over half of the tasks performed by these supervisors could potentially be automated, largely due to the structured and repetitive nature of several core responsibilities. The presence of routine administrative oversight and basic management tasks positions this role as moderately susceptible to technological displacement. Examining the top three most automatable tasks highlights why the risk is substantial. First, "Monitor sales staff performance to ensure that goals are met" is increasingly achievable through analytics software and digital performance dashboards. Second, "Provide staff with assistance in performing difficult or complicated duties" can be partially addressed by advanced decision-support systems, though elements requiring human judgment remain more challenging. Third, "Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or performing specific services" can be streamlined by automation platforms that track productivity, manage financials, and handle routine supervisory functions. These tasks tend to have clear procedures and measurable goals, making them easier for AI and automation tools to replicate. On the other hand, the most automation-resistant tasks require a level of judgment, creativity, or contextual understanding that current technology finds difficult to replicate. For instance, "Prepare rental or lease agreements, specifying charges and payment procedures for use of machinery, tools, or other items" involves nuanced communication and customized agreements. "Coordinate sales promotion activities, such as preparing merchandise displays and advertising copy" demands creativity and adaptability, while "Inventory stock and reorder when inventories drop to specified levels" relies on situational analysis and strategic decision-making. The most significant bottleneck skills are highlighted by the need for originality, though the levels for this occupation are relatively low—2.9% and 3.4%—suggesting that while some creativity is needed, it is not predominant enough to shield the entire role from automation. As such, while certain facets of the position will persistently require human input, automation is poised to transform how first-line supervisors operate in non-retail sales environments.