Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Door Site Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Door Site Supervisor is the on-site leader responsible for planning, coordinating, executing and delivering high-quality aluminum door systems (doors, storefronts, curtain walls, entrances, sidelights, transoms, and hardware) across commercial and multi-family construction projects. This role combines field supervision, technical installation expertise, quality control, safety leadership, schedule and budget accountability, and direct communication with general contractors, architects, fabricators and end clients.

Primary target keywords: aluminum door supervisor, storefront installation supervisor, curtain wall site lead, glazing site supervisor, door hardware installation, field measurement, shop drawing coordination.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aluminum Door Installer / Glazier
Field Technician / Door & Hardware Installer
Site Carpenter with façade or glazing experience

Advancement To:

Project Manager — Commercial Storefront & Curtain Wall
Construction Manager / Superintendent (Façade specialization)
Operations Manager or Regional Installation Manager

Lateral Moves:

Field Foreman / Site Foreman (Glazing & Façade)
Quality Control / Field QA Inspector (Storefront & Curtain Wall)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and supervise multi-trade installation teams for aluminum doors, storefronts, and curtain wall systems on site: assign crews, sequence work, and maintain daily production targets while ensuring consistent trade coordination and minimal schedule impacts.
Interpret and enforce compliance with project specifications, architectural drawings, shop drawings, hardware schedules and manufacturer installation instructions to guarantee that all aluminum door systems meet design intent, structural requirements and warranty conditions.
Perform and verify field measurements (site templating) for frames, panels, infills and glazing, documenting precise dimensions and variance reports to the fabrication shop to ensure first-time fit and minimize rework.
Coordinate the delivery, staging and secure storage of aluminum units, glass, anchors, fasteners, hardware and sealant materials and verify incoming materials against purchase orders and submittals for quantity and damage.
Directly install door frames, thresholds, door leaves, sidelights, transoms, storefront framing, pressure-equalized curtain wall components, anchors, anchors plates and setting blocks using correct tolerances, anchorage patterns and torque specifications.
Install and adjust door hardware (commercial closers, panic devices, electromagnetic locks, electrified hardware, hinges, pivots), ensuring compliance with hardware schedules, ANSI/BHMA standards and ADA requirements; coordinate with locksmiths and low-voltage contractors as needed.
Oversee glazing installation and setting processes: glazing blocks, tapes, gaskets, structural silicone, fire-rated glazing, insulating glass units (IGUs), and wet-seal vs. dry-glazed systems per manufacturer practice and project tests.
Manage on-site quality control and final acceptance inspections: perform tolerance checks, leak and water testing, thermal break continuity, sightlines and aesthetic alignment; prepare and close punch lists with clear remediation instructions and timelines.
Enforce site safety programs and OSHA/compliance requirements: conduct toolbox talks, ensure PPE usage, scaffold/rigging safety, fall protection, hot work permits, and safe handling of glass and heavy aluminum units.
Troubleshoot and solve complex field issues including out-of-plumb conditions, slab deflection, substrate misalignments, sealant failures and uncoordinated penetrations; propose practical corrective measures and communicate RFI’s and ASI’s to the design team.
Maintain production documentation: daily reports, crew timecards, material usage logs, equipment checklists, field directives, RFIs, submittals, O&M manuals and warranty documentation to support project records and invoicing.
Coordinate with general contractors, subcontractors, architects, building inspectors and facade consultants to sequence work, resolve site conflicts and maintain positive working relationships that drive timely project closeout.
Manage subcontracted installers and vendor technicians: scope assignments, review workmanship, approve progress payments and hold subcontractors to specified quality and safety standards.
Monitor project schedule and productivity metrics, provide weekly look-ahead updates, and proactively escalate schedule risks and change order needs to the project manager or operations leadership.
Supervise and perform sealant and joint remediation works, specifying gaskets, primers, backer rods and approved silicone systems to maintain weathertight and thermally efficient assemblies.
Train, mentor and develop installation crews on manufacturer installation practices, tools and techniques, proper handling of glazing, and site-specific quality expectations to raise field competency and reduce defects.
Oversee site rigging and lifting plans for heavy units (curtain wall panels, prefabricated doors) including crane lifts, spreader bars, slings and rigging inspections to prevent damage and injury.
Conduct final owner/architect walkdowns, respond to punch-list items in a timely manner and manage warranty-related repairs post-commissioning; ensure completion documentation and warranties are handed over.
Review and verify shop drawings and submittals for conformance to contract documents, recommend approval or required revisions and coordinate with fabrication teams to align lead times and production schedules.
Track project site costs associated with labor, materials, and equipment; identify opportunities for efficiency, report potential cost overruns and support preparation of change order documentation for scope adjustments.
Ensure environmental and quality standards for thermal performance and weather resistance are met, including field testing (water infiltration tests, air infiltration checks) and measurement reporting when required by contract or manufacturer.
Maintain, inspect and schedule preventive maintenance on company tools, power equipment, scaffolding, lifts and site safety gear to maximize uptime and safety compliance.
Lead the implementation of site-specific mock-ups and performance mock tests for curtain wall and storefront systems, coordinating third-party testing when required and documenting compliance results.

Secondary Functions

Support estimating and pre-construction by providing field-based takeoffs, constructability reviews and labor productivity estimates for aluminum door scopes.
Review and advise on shop drawing revisions and material substitutions to ensure field fit and performance are preserved while optimizing cost and schedule.
Participate in design coordination meetings, BIM/3D model reviews and pre-installation conferences to identify coordination issues early and reduce RFI volume.
Assist operations and project managers with procurement lead times, vendor selection, and logistics planning for large glass and aluminum deliveries.
Provide field input to continuous improvement programs: update installation standards, produce lessons-learned reports and help refine company standard details and installation checklists.
Support warranty claims investigations and root cause analysis for field failures, recommending corrective actions and preventive measures to engineering and quality teams.
Act as on-site technical liaison for manufacturer warranty claims and coordinate factory visits or technical support when complex product issues arise.
Participate in periodic safety audits and internal site inspections and help implement corrective actions to improve site safety performance and reduce incidents.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Reading and interpreting architectural drawings, shop drawings, hardware schedules, and structural details for storefront, curtain wall and door systems.
Field measuring and templating of door and storefront openings, including 3-point measurements and digital templating techniques.
Hands-on installation skillset for aluminum frames, entrances, storefront systems, curtain walls, and glazed units according to manufacturers’ procedures.
Commercial door hardware knowledge: ANSI/BHMA hardware sets, electrified hardware, panic hardware, closers, thresholds, and ADA compliance.
Glazing techniques: setting blocks, gaskets, structural and non-structural sealants, IGU handling, wet seal and dry glazed systems.
Anchor and fastener selection and installation (cast-in anchors, expansion anchors, epoxy anchors) and torque/torquing practices.
Knowledge of thermal break systems, pressure-equalized systems and weatherproofing best practices.
Competence with power tools, pneumatic tools, torque wrenches, impact drivers, laser levels, plumb bob, and basic lifting/rigging equipment.
Experience with shop drawing review process and submittal management using Bluebeam, AutoCAD LT, Procore or similar construction management/BIM tools.
Site quality control and testing: water infiltration, air infiltration, deflection monitoring and punch list generation/closure.
OSHA and site safety compliance including scaffold, fall protection, lifting plans and hot work permits.
Basic blueprint mathematics, dimensional tolerancing, and ability to convert field measurements into fabrication adjustments.
Familiarity with building codes (IBC, ADA) and relevant product standards for storefronts and curtain walls.
Experience preparing RFIs, ASIs, change orders and supporting documentation for client approvals and extra work pricing.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and crew management: ability to coach, supervise and motivate crews to deliver high-quality results on schedule.
Excellent verbal and written communication for client interactions, daily reports, RFIs, and punch-list documentation.
Problem-solving and critical thinking focused on practical, field-tested solutions under schedule pressure.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple projects, tight timelines and evolving site constraints.
Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering workmanship that meets aesthetic and performance standards.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills when coordinating with GC, trades, vendors and clients on-site.
Customer-service orientation: professional presentation, respect for client spaces and ability to represent the company on walkthroughs.
Mentoring and training aptitude to upskill junior installers and enforce consistent installation methods.
Adaptability and resilience to deal with weather, site variability and shifting schedules.
Organizational skills for documentation, submittal tracking and maintaining accurate as-built records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant trade experience in glazing, storefronts, or exterior façade installation.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate in glazing, architectural metalwork, construction technology or related trade school coursework.
Manufacturer training certifications for storefront/curtain wall systems and commercial door hardware.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Architectural Technology
Construction Management / Building Technology
Glass & Glazing or Metal Fabrication Certificate
Trades apprenticeship in glazing, carpentry or metalwork

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–10 years of hands-on field installation experience with aluminum doors and storefronts; minimum 2–4 years in a supervisory or foreman capacity.

Preferred:

5+ years supervising commercial installations of aluminum doors, storefronts or curtain walls on mid- to large-scale projects, with demonstrated experience managing crews, QA/QC, safety and vendor coordination.
Proven track record with multiple successful project closeouts, change order management and client-facing responsibilities.

Keywords: Aluminum Door Site Supervisor, storefront supervisor, curtain wall supervisor, glazing foreman, commercial door installation, door hardware, shop drawings, field measurements, ADA compliance, waterproofing, OSHA.