In German workplaces, one employee can have two superiors.
der disziplinarische Vorgesetzte — the line manager, responsible for pay, leave and appraisals
der fachliche Vorgesetzte — the professional superior, who checks and judges the content of the work
die Sachautorität — authority that comes from knowing the subject
die Amtsautorität — authority that comes from the position
die Koryphäe — a leading authority in a field
Ahnung haben — to know what one is talking about