Gerente

Gerente is a title used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts to denote a person who plans, directs, and controls the operations of a business unit, department, or project. In both languages the term identifies a management role, but the level of authority and scope can vary by country and organization. In many companies, a gerente is a mid- to senior-level manager, while in others the term can correspond to a higher executive position such as general manager or regional manager.

The core responsibilities of a gerente typically include defining goals and strategies for their area, allocating resources, supervising personnel, and overseeing budgets and performance metrics. They make operational and tactical decisions within their remit, ensure compliance with laws and internal policies, coordinate with other departments, and report results to higher leadership. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to analyze data and translate it into action plans.

Gerentes can specialize by function or geography. Common types include gerente general (general manager) and gerentes de área such as ventas (sales), operaciones (operations), finanzas (finance), recursos humanos (human resources), and tecnología de la información (IT). Regional and plant managers (gerentes regionales, gerentes de planta) are also frequently found in larger organizations. In some contexts, more senior executives are titled director or ejecutivo, with gerente occupying a slightly lower or more functional level.

Typical requirements include a university degree in business, engineering, or a related field, several years of relevant experience, and often an MBA or specialist training. Competencies in leadership, budgeting, planning, and cross-functional collaboration are valued across industries.