Tiling supervisor

Description

Tiling supervisors monitor tile fitting operations. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to tiling supervisor:

tiling worker supervisor
wall tiling supervisor
floor tiling supervisor
surface tiling supervisor
tile installation supervisor
foreman tiler
tiling foreman
mosaic tiling supervisor

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a tiling supervisor.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Tiling supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Tiling supervisor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to tiling supervisor.

terrazzo setter supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor
plastering supervisor
paperhanger supervisor
insulation supervisor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of tiling supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of tiling supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction general contractor
installation engineer
quantity surveyor
construction manager
purchasing manager

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of tiling supervisor.

  • Types of tile adhesive: Different adhesive materials for different types of tile, surfaces, drying times, environmental conditions and costs.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of tiling supervisor.

  • Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
  • Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
  • Check compatibility of materials: Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.
  • Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
  • Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
  • Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
  • Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
  • Plan surface slope: Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
  • Ensure compliance with construction project deadline: Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.
  • Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
  • Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
  • Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
  • Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
  • Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
  • Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
  • Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
  • Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
  • Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Interpret 2d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
  • Types of tile: Tiles of different sizes, materials and glazing. Their properties such as weight, propensity to chipping or breaking, moisture resistance, adhesion and cost.
  • Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
  • Plan tiling: Plan the position of the tiling on the surface. Mark straight and flush lines to determine the position of the tiles. Decide on the spacing between the tiles. If tiles have to be cut to size, avoid small slivers as they may be hard or nearly impossible to cut, depending on type of tile and equipment used.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tiling supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
  • Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
  • Aesthetics: Set of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.
  • Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tiling supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Operate mosaic tools: Use the appropriate tools to cut and chip mosaic for fitting into the workpiece.
  • Caulk expansion joints: Fill the space intentionally created to allow for expansion or contraction of the construction materials with a sealant such as silicone.
  • Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
  • Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
  • Maintain tile flooring: Remove mould and stains, assess the damage and identify the cause, remove the old adhesive to replace broken tiles, repair joints and apply new protective layers.
  • Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
  • Lay tiles: Firmly place the tiles on a surface prepared with adhesive. Adjust their position to so they are flush and evenly spaced. Take care not to disturb the surface. Insert spacers in the joints. When working vertically with heavy tiles, place a supporting piece of timber to prevent slippage if called for. Remove any excess adhesive from the face of the tile.
  • Drill holes in tile: Use a special carbide tipped drill bit to cut holes in tile. Apply masking tape or another appropriate covering material to protect against chipping and to keep the drill bit from slipping. Mark the spot and nick it slightly with a punch. Apply medium pressure to the drill to prevent chipping or breaking.
  • Fill tile joints: Use grout, silicone paste, mastic or other appropriate material to fill the joints between tiles. Spread the mixture onto the tiles using a padded trowel or float. Make sure the mixture is worked into the joints before removing excess material. Use a diagonal motion to avoid scooping material from the joints. Wash material from the front of the tiles and buff the tiles to finish.
  • Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
  • Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermical or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.
  • Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
  • Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
  • Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
  • Cut tiles: Cut tiles to the right size and shape using a wet tile saw. Set up the wet saw and attach it to a water source if called for. Mark the desired shape and size on the tile. Push the tile against the rotating carbide blade of the saw to make a straight cut. For curved cuts, make straight incisions at right angles along the desired curve. Snap off the resulting ‘fingers’ and finish the curve with a diamond file.
  • Mix construction grouts: Mix construction materials with water and other materials based on the appropriate recipe. Mix thoroughly to prevent lumps. Avoid contamination, which will adversely affect the properties of the mixture.
  • Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
  • Negotiate supplier arrangements: Reach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.
  • Attach accessories to tile: Use silicone to securely attach accessories, such as soap holders, to tile. Paste silicone onto the accessory and press it firmly against the tile. Hold it in place to dry if necessary.
  • Apply tile adhesive: Apply the tile adhesive, often thinset, to the surface. Load the notch trowel with adhesive and paste it to the wall to form a thin, even layer. Take the drying time of the material and your working speed into account to make sure the adhesive does not dry out. Remove excess adhesive. Apply silicone or mastic along the edges, anywhere slight movement is expected, or for improved moisture resistance.
  • Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
  • Make mosaic: Create a mosaic by laying out individually cut pieces of suitable materials, such as glass, ceramics, or shells, in artful shapes. Work with one or several mosaic techniques, such as direct mosaic, indirect mosaic and double inverse mosaic.

ISCO group and title

3123 – Construction supervisors


References
  1. Tiling supervisor – ESCO
Last updated on June 13, 2023