Refers to a person who is lower in rank or position within a group, often used in organizational or hierarchical contexts.
He listens to the opinions of his subordinates as well.
The subordinates were waiting for instructions from their boss.
Compound of 組み (kumi, 'group, set') and 下 (shita, 'below, under'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from its components.