It depends. To satisfy the third prong of the executive duties test, you must have the authority to hire or fire other employees, or your suggestions and recommendations as to the employment status of other employees must be given particular weight. There are a number of factors to be considered when analyzing particular weight, including but not limited to whether it is part of the employee's job duties to make such recommendations, and the frequency with which such recommendations are made, requested, and relied upon.
Generally, an executive's recommendations must pertain to employees whom the executive customarily and regularly directs. It does not include occasional suggestions.
An employee's recommendations may still be deemed to have particular weight even if a higher level manager's recommendation has more importance and even if the employee does not have authority to make the ultimate decision as to the employee's change in status.