Hiring for a managerial role is a bit different than hiring for some of your other roles' This is a person who will head your staff and drive revenue for your business. So it requires a more tedious approach.
Or so you think.
If you can improve your job descriptions, your ads will pull most of the weight. It'll weed out the mismatches before their resumes hit your desk.
But what exactly should you include in your restaurant manager job description? Continue reading to learn what skill sets to look for and duties to include to ensure you're getting the best applicants for the role.
What is the main role of a restaurant manager?
The primary role of a restaurant manager is to ensure the business operates efficiently (and profitably). This is a vague description, but it sums up their main responsibility.
There’s a list of things that fall under running and building revenue for a restaurant. This includes handling administrative duties and scheduling shifts.
Restaurant shift managers are also responsible for:
Ensuring customer satisfaction
Managing vendors, inventory, and equipment
Hiring (and firing) and training staff
Enforcing workplace policies
Planning the menu
Maintaining health and safety standards
Monitoring the budget and keeping costs down
Next, you need to understand what the typical workday looks like for a restaurant manager.
What is the daily routine of a restaurant manager?
The restaurant industry requires management to be diligent throughout their work shift. This means being attentive to guests, assisting staff with kitchen dilemmas, and finding solutions to problems that arise.
The daily routine of hospitality management may look something like this:
Arriving to work on time and ensuring they're looking their best (after all, they're a role model)
Looking around the restaurant to ensure it too looks good and is ready for guests
Checking the kitchen for cleanliness and ensuring temperatures of coolers and freezers are adequate
Going over staff levels, financial records, and addressing stock issues (late deliveries, stockouts, etc.)
Monitoring the floor to ensure a positive guest experience and that staff are working efficiently
Creating schedules for all staff (servers, bussers, and cooks)
Checking the stock levels and till at the end of the day to ensure there's enough change (before the bank closes) and then locking up the restaurant before leaving
If there are new staff on hand, then the manager's day will include training the newcomers (or having the head waiter, host, or cook do it, if they're available).
Restaurant manager skills and qualifications
There's a pile of resumes in your inbox (or human resources software). Cutting through the clutter may take days or even weeks to pore through.
The best way to do this:
Shortlist the applicants with the restaurant management skills and qualifications you’re looking for. Here's a list of skills to look for:
Excellent customer service
Leadership skills
Great communication skills and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving skills
Organizational skills
Teamwork mentality
Commercial awareness, marketing, and business acumen
Restaurant managers don't typically need a degree, but are required to have a high school diploma and some management experience. Some employers demand 4-5 years of experience, while others are alright with 1-2 years.
It depends on the level of skill needed for your type of restaurant. For instance, if you run a fancier diner that plans business meetings and hosts events, then you need someone with experience in this area.
It's also ideal to look for someone with training in food safety standards and previous experience in restaurant operations.
What qualities make a good restaurant manager?
A great manager is more than their qualifications and skills. They need to have certain qualities that make them excel as a leader. It doesn't matter that they have seven years of practical experience. If they don't show empathy, then they won't be successful as a team leader.
Here's an overview of the top qualities that make restaurant managers exceptional:
A positive attitude (in good times and bad): This is especially necessary for customer complaints.
Flexibility: Managers are the last line of defense and must wear multiple hats when needed (such as when a worker calls at the last minute).
Passionate: Being a manager is tough work, so find someone who enjoys their role and will give 110% effort.
Stamina: Some days have multiple waves of guests, which can be tiring for those who lack organization and resilience.
Consistent: In the food service industry, there's no room for inconsistency. Make sure the manager you hire provides ongoing support, customer service, and good leadership.
People person: It doesn't make sense to hire a restaurant manager who doesn't like being around people. So the person you bring aboard should be outgoing and personable.
Innovative: This is useful for tough decision-making and growing your restaurant business.
Keep in mind most aren't born with these qualities. But this doesn't mean they can't be taught. So choose wisely by selecting a candidate with the most essential qualities, then provide additional training for the missing attributes.
Example of restaurant manager job descriptions
Here's how a restaurant manager job description may look.
Restaurant Manager Job Description
Job title: Restaurant Manager
The Restaurant Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of restaurant operations including food preparation, service delivery, guest experience, inventory management, financial reporting, human resource functions, marketing, advertising, public relations, and other related duties assigned by the General Manager. This position requires an individual who can work well under pressure while maintaining high standards at all times. Must be able to multitask effectively and prioritize tasks based on company needs. Strong communication skills are required.
A good restaurant manager will communicate effectively internally within their team and externally with other departments such as finance or marketing. They should also have excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks at once while being flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.
Back of the house management experience is essential. You'll hire qualified Cooks and Wait Staff, set work schedules, oversee food prep and ensure compliance with health and safety restaurant regulations.
Job Responsibilities
Leading the entire restaurant by:
Managing daily operations, including scheduling shifts, managing waitstaff, overseeing kitchen personnel, ordering supplies, cleaning, and maintenance tasks.
Ensuring employees meet performance expectations and adhere to policies and procedures.
Overseeing compliance with local laws and ordinances related to sanitation, fire prevention, insurance requirements, etc.
Maintaining an organized workspace and cleanliness throughout the facility.
Managing the dining area.
Skills & Requirements
Minimum 2 years' relevant restaurant industry experience
Experience managing multiple restaurants
Strong leadership ability and communication skills
Ability to manage time effectively
Excellent organizational skills
Close attention to detail
Proven track record of success
Able to multitask under pressure
Willingness to learn from others
Must possess strong interpersonal skills
Knowledgeable about state and federal laws governing employment
Education: High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor Degree preferred
Experience:
3+ years of proven experience working in a similar role (i.e., Restaurant Manager, General Manager, Hospitality Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager, etc.)
High school diploma
Associate’s degree not required, but a plus
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid time off
If this sounds like you, we'd love to have you join our team! Send your resume and a cover letter to myemail@myemail.com
Other restaurant manager duties and responsibilities (not in job descriptions)
Most restaurant manager job descriptions leave out important insights about the role of the position. This means the candidate won't learn about all of their responsibilities until after they're hired.
Not good. If the new hire feels they're working outside of their scope, then the odds of them quitting increases. So here's a look at the lesser-known roles of a restaurant manager to add to your job ads:
Handling team conflicts: As the team leader, the manager must resolve conflicts that arise in the workplace (including those with disgruntled customers).
Gauging guest satisfaction: Gathering guest feedback is vital to improving the customer experience (and helps prevent bad reviews).
General maintenance: Spill on the floor? Toilet backed up? Managers are responsible for cleaning up when other restaurant staff are too busy.
Enforcing safety measures: After COVID-19, more foodservice managers play the role of health and safety cops to keep guests safe.
Streamlining operations: Here's where being innovative helps. When a manager has impressive business skills and ideas, it can help improve workflows and provide a positive experience for workers and guests alike.
Presentation skills: Ideal for when it's time to reveal innovative ideas to the restaurant owner.
Wearing multiple hats: Manager by morning. Cook/waiter/host by evening. As a food industry manager, wearing multiple hats is bound to happen, especially when someone calls in or things get hectic unexpectedly.
It's challenging to list every possible role a manager may play while operating a restaurant. So make sure to bring up any additional duties that relate to your particular restaurant. For example, if you run a more sophisticated operation, then mention requiring knowledge of scheduling tools and restaurant management software during your interview.
Improve your job ads to find the right restaurant manager
You have a restaurant to run, but you need someone to manage the day-to-day operations. Finding the right person for the role relies on creating a thorough job description. Asking the right questions in the interview process can also help you get the right person.
Go over the tasks and duties you expect the manager to perform, then add them to your job ad. Once you pinpoint the best person for the job, introduce them to your restaurant management tools.
Deputy is one that should be on your radar. It’s a scheduling platform that simplifies resource management. It's quick to learn and use, making it an optimal choice for your new hire.
But don't take our word for it. See for yourself. Try Deputy for free today.
