Who is manager? State different types of managers/Explain different types of managers with their functions.

Managers are those personalities in organization who bear special responsibility of management functions and possess different managerial skills. They need to involve in planning, decision making, implementation of plans and policies, directing and controlling the organizational activities.

 TYPES OF MANAGERS

1. Top Level Managers

The managers who are involved in top level functions of an organization are called the top level managers. They are at the highest level in the organizational hierarchy. The top level managers are board of directors, chief executives, president, and executive directors, chief executive officers, and general manager. They act as masterminds of the organization.The top level managers perform complex and varied nature of jobs. They are basically involved in planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling activities. They provide a long-term direction to the organization. They also play a significant role in the mobilization of organizational resources. They should be visionary and have the knowledge of the organization as well as the industry. They are responsible for overall management and operation of the entire organization. Top-level managers are accountable to the shareholders, government, and the general public.

2. Middle Level Managers:-  

The middle level managers work as a link between the top and lower level management. They are departmental and division heads and managers like production manager, marketing manager, finance manager, and human resource manager. They implement and control plans formulated by the top level managers. They are responsible for the top management for the functioning of departments or units. The members at this level devote more time in organizing and directing functions. They are also responsible to direct and control the lower level.

3. Lower Level Managers:- 

They are also called functional or operational managers. They are supervisors, foreman, section officers, and superintendent. The lower managers directly interact with the workers. They assign jobs and tasks to the workers as well as guide and instruct them. They are primarily responsible for the quality and quantity of output. They also communicate the lower level issues to the top level and organizational goals and policies to the workers. They are also responsible for arranging necessary resources needed for performing various organizational activities.

                         OR,

Different types of managers are appointed in organizations depending upon the levels of management and area of function as different skills are required to attain the organizational goals.

Classification of managers differs from organization to organization depending upon size, structure and functions of the organization. On the basis of levels, mangers can be top level managers, middle level managers and lower-level manager. On the basis of functional area, managers can be classified as marketing manager, financial manager, operation manager, human resource manager, sales managers, etc. Likewise, there can be functional and general managers or line and staff manager on the basis of works performing by managers. Here, for our purpose, managers are classified on the basis of level of organization which is common method of classification of managers.

1. Top level managers: Those managers who hold top level position on managerial hierarchy are known as top level managers. Such managers hold the ultimate power of authority in the organization. Top level managers include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chairman, President, Managing Directors (MD), etc. They involve in setting strategies of the organization, so they are also called as strategic managers. They are responsible in formulating long term plans, policies, mission, vision, goals etc. of an organization. Vision and foresightedness of top level manager lead the organization towards success. Following functions are performed by top level managers:

• Analyzing business environmental analysis to estimate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Establishing the overall goals, plans, policies and strategies of organization
• Preparing master budget, financial statements, and capital planning Formulating organizational structure and revising as per necessity
• Appointing key personnel for key positions of organization Delegating and decentralizing necessary authority to the personnel, departments, and units
• Directing and controlling overall activities of organization Maintaining effective coordination and communication within and outside the organization
• Negotiating and making contracts for business activities with outside authorities
• Representing organization in government and business arena

 2. Middle level managers: 

The managers responsible to look after the departmental job i.e. middle level functions of organization are known as middle level managers. They work under the guidance of top level managers and guide or supervise lower level managers. They bridge the gap between lower level and top level of management in any organization. Middle level managers are included as departmental heads from different departments like production, human, finance, operation, marketing, sales, etc. Role of middle level manager is vital as they coordinate the functions of lower level management and facilitate to top level managers. Middle level managers are responsible for the following functions:

• Assisting in activities of top level management and providing organizational effectiveness
• Formulating middle level goals for respective departments
• Formulating departmental strategies to attain departmental goals Planning and making decision for departmental activities
• Coordinating and cooperating among various departments
• Participating in first-line decision making process Reporting the lower level as well as departmental progress to top level management
• Monitoring and supervising the departmental activities to enhance departmental performance
• Developing team spirit, and managing group efforts in the organization 

3. Lower level managers:

 Lower level managers are those who hold the bottom level of authority in any organization. They are also known as first line managers or operating level managers. They include supervisors, coordinators, office managers, unit managers, etc.  They conduct the day to day suggestions to increase activities in organization in order to implement plans and policies formulated by the top and middle level managers. Lower level management is about to implement the organizational plane and policies from basic level. Thus, this level is more important for the success of organization Lower level managers are responsible for the following functions in the organization:

• Formulating day to day plans and policies under the departmental goals
• Assigning tasks to the operating level employees Organizing raw materials, machinery, technology and information to operating level
• employees in order to implement operating level employees Supervising, leading and controlling activities of operating level employees
• Managing job responsibilities of employees in case of emergency or absenteeism
• Maintaining coordination and cooperation within the operating units and among other units
• Maintaining discipline and good working environment within the operating unit
• Reporting the work-in-progress of various activities to the middle level managers
• Suggesting middle level managers for plans, policies and strategies