Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Window Site Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Window Site Supervisor leads on-site installation and commissioning of aluminum windows, storefronts and curtainwall systems. This role manages day-to-day field operations for glazing projects — supervising crews and subcontractors, interpreting shop drawings and blueprints, enforcing quality control and safety standards (OSHA/fall protection), coordinating material staging and deliveries, troubleshooting field issues with project managers and fabricators, and driving timely, cost-effective completion of installation milestones. The supervisor is the on-site technical authority for sealants, anchors, structural silicone, thermal breaks and weatherproofing to ensure air/water infiltration and performance targets are met.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lead Glazer / Senior Glazing Technician
Field Foreman for storefront or curtainwall installations
Aluminum Fabrication Shop Lead or Installation Assistant

Advancement To:

Construction Project Superintendent (façade/curtainwall)
Glazing Operations Manager / Field Operations Manager
Project Manager for commercial façade projects

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control / QA Inspector (façade systems)
Field Estimator (glazing and storefront systems)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Supervise all on-site aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall installations from mobilization through project closeout, ensuring alignment with contract documents, shop drawings, manufacturer instructions and engineering specifications.
Read and interpret architectural and structural drawings, field verify dimensions, and maintain accurate as-built records and layout control for mullions, anchors, and storefront frames.
Coordinate and schedule daily and weekly work plans for in-house crews and subcontractors, sequencing glazing, sealant, insulation, and flashing trades to meet milestone deadlines and minimize rework.
Serve as the point-of-contact with general contractors, architects, façade engineers, fabricators and suppliers to communicate site conditions, resolve RFIs, and confirm product substitutions or field modifications.
Enforce safety protocols and environmental controls on site, conduct daily toolbox talks, verify PPE and fall-protection compliance, and liaise with site safety officers to maintain OSHA and project-specific safety standards.
Lead quality control inspections during installation stages—verify plumb, level, twist-free installations, correct tolerances, secure anchor performance, and consistent gap/coverage for sealants and thermal breaks.
Oversee staging, receipt and inspection of aluminum extrusions, glass units, gaskets, anchors and sealants; identify damaged or non-conforming materials and coordinate returns or replacements with procurement and suppliers.
Perform pre-installation mock-ups and witness tests (air and water infiltration tests, structural tests) and document results, coordinating corrective actions with engineering and quality teams.
Manage field punch lists and coordinate final finishes, cleaning, glazing bead installations, and perimeter sealant workmanship to meet manufacturer and warranty requirements prior to commissioning.
Document daily production logs, manpower, equipment usage, site measurements and delivery confirmations; produce daily reports and progress photos for project managers and stakeholders.
Ensure correct installation of thermal breaks, pressure plates, setting blocks, and gaskets to optimize system thermal performance and prevent condensation or thermal bridging.
Implement and monitor protective measures for installed materials (temporary covers, glass protection, weatherproofing) to prevent damage from construction activities, weather or vandalism.
Troubleshoot and provide technical solutions for field issues such as out-of-plumb conditions, unexpected substrates, substrate incompatibility, or mismatched interface conditions with curtainwall anchors.
Supervise on-site mock-up sign-offs, coordinate independent third-party inspections when required, and ensure all corrective actions are tracked, documented and closed in a timely manner.
Enforce installation tolerances and workmanship standards consistent with project specifications, AAMA/SAF/ASTM guidelines and manufacturer performance requirements.
Collaborate with project engineers to implement structural or shop drawing changes and track RFIs, change orders and cost impacts related to field conditions or scope changes.
Coordinate site scaffolding, mast climbers, hoisting equipment and crane lifts for safe delivery and installation of heavy framing and glass panels; verify rigging and lift plans with site safety.
Train, mentor and document competency of installation crew members on proper glazing techniques, sealant application, thermal break handling and safe operation of powered tools.
Maintain inventory of critical consumables (sealants, solvents, gaskets, fasteners) and escalate procurement needs early to prevent installation delays.
Prepare for owner turnover activities: ensure warranty documentation, maintenance recommendations, product data and O&M manuals are compiled and submitted at project closeout.
Manage quality and schedule impact of rework, defects and warranty items; lead remediation efforts and implement preventive best practices across project sites.
Coordinate interface work with adjacent trades (masonry, waterproofing, curtainwall, metal panels) to sequence flashing, substrate prep and primary seal installations to maintain building envelope continuity.

Secondary Functions

Support the project team with field-based cost tracking, daily labor reporting and input to schedule updates or recovery plans.
Participate in pre-construction site surveys and assist estimators with constructability feedback based on field experience and typical installation constraints.
Assist in product testing coordination (mock-up testing, thermal, wind and water infiltration tests) and document compliance evidence for submittal packages.
Provide input to continuous improvement initiatives for installation methods, tool selection and crew productivity tracking.
Help maintain and update site-specific safety documentation, JHAs (Job Hazard Analyses), and site inspection checklists in coordination with safety officers.
Contribute to vendor qualification by providing field feedback on supplier performance, delivery quality and fabrication tolerances.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven expertise in installation of aluminum windows, storefronts and curtainwall systems, including aluminum extrusions, pressure plates, structural silicone and wet glazing methods.
Strong blueprint reading and shop drawing interpretation skills; ability to translate drawings to precise field layout and anchor pattern execution.
Proficient in reading structural and façade engineering details, anchor design and tolerances required for wind loads and building movement.
Hands-on experience with air and water infiltration testing procedures (AAMA, ASTM standards) and familiarity with mock-up testing protocols.
Knowledgeable in sealant types, application methods, backer rod selection, and surface preparation to achieve long-lasting perimeter seals.
Competency with construction tools and equipment: torque wrenches, impact drivers, laser levels, plumb lasers, vacuum lifters, mast climbers and scaffold systems.
Understanding of thermal break systems, setting blocks, glazing gaskets and pressure-equalization principles for window system performance.
Familiar with construction scheduling basics (critical path awareness), material staging and logistics coordination for façade projects.
Ability to complete technical field reports, as-built markups, daily logs and photographic documentation for claims defense and quality assurance.
Familiarity with local building codes, AAMA/ASTM standards and manufacturer installation manuals relevant to aluminum window and curtainwall systems.
Competence in basic math for field layout, anchor spacing, gasket compression and panel weight calculations.
Experience managing subcontractors, onboarding crew personnel, and enforcing vendor-specific installation requirements.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership with proven ability to supervise multi-trade crews, maintain high morale, and enforce accountability.
Clear verbal and written communication for daily reporting, RFIs, coordination with GCs, architects and clients.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to diagnose field issues quickly and propose practical, compliant solutions under schedule pressure.
Detail-oriented focus for quality control, tolerance verification and finishing workmanship.
Time management and organizational skills to sequence work, prioritize punch-list items, and mitigate schedule risks.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage trade interfaces and supplier disputes professionally.
Proactive planner who anticipates materials, access, and weather-related constraints to avoid installation delays.
Coaching and training ability to upskill crews in best practices, safety behaviors and installation techniques.
Adaptability to changing field conditions and evolving project scope while maintaining quality and safety.
Customer-focused professionalism when interacting with owner representatives and clients during site visits and closeout.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED; vocational training or technical certificate in construction trades or glazing preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Construction Management, Architectural Technology, Building Science, or related field beneficial.
Manufacturer certification or accredited glazing training (AAMA, IGMA or equivalent) is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Management
Architectural Technology
Building Science
Carpentry/Metal Fabrication/Glazing Trade Programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5 to 10+ years of hands-on experience in commercial and/or residential aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall installation, with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or foreman role.

Preferred:

Prior experience supervising multi-trade crews on medium- to large-scale façade projects (multi-story commercial, institutional or multi-family residential).
Demonstrated record of successful mock-ups, third-party test coordination, and managing final commissioning/punch-list closeouts.
OSHA 10/30 certification (or equivalent), fall protection training and documented safety leadership on previous projects.
Familiarity with CAD or mark-up software for as-built documentation and ability to collaborate with project engineers on field revisions.