How to Become a Successful Food Service Manager

A food service manager is a powerful role in the hospitality sector. It is the highest-ranking position in a food services department, and requires a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience. With the right training and attitude, you too can become a successful food service manager.

In this guide, we’ll cover the necessary qualifications, responsibilities and tips to help you reach your goal of becoming a successful food service manager.

Qualifications

Education: A college degree in a related field such as hospitality management, business administration, or culinology is generally required for a food service manager. There are some opportunities for a high school diploma, however most employers prefer a college degree for those looking for higher-level positions.

Experience: Most employers also require prior experience in restaurant or food service management. Even if you don’t have any experience yet, there are many ways to gain the skills you need: internships and working at a restaurant are just two of them.

Licenses: Depending on the type of food service establishment where you’ll be working, you might be required to hold a valid food service license.

Responsibilities

Once you’ve obtained the necessary qualifications, what will your job entail? As a food service manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the operations of a food establishment and ensuring that it meets all safety and quality standards. This includes ordering and stocking supplies, overseeing food preparation, setting menus, developing staff schedules, monitoring budgets and expenses, creating reports, and addressing customer complaints.

You will also be in charge of managing the staff, so communication and leadership skills are essential. You’ll need to motivate your team, seek out new talent, provide constructive feedback, and monitor employee performance.

Tips for success

1. Develop culinary knowledge: A good food service manager needs to have a good understanding of the basics of cooking. This includes things like sanitation procedures, food safety regulations, and menu planning. Taking an online course or attending a workshop will help you develop the necessary knowledge.

2. Stay organized: It’s important to stay organized, especially when dealing with a busy restaurant kitchen. Create systems to keep track of inventory, schedules, and other tasks so you can easily access the information you need.

3. Be a problem solver: You will face challenges in your role, so it’s important to be able to think on your feet and come up with solutions quickly. Staying calm under pressure and handling complaints with professionalism will take you far.

4. Improve your people skills: As a food service manager, your main job is to manage people. Lead by example and focus on fostering positive relationships with staff.

5. Embrace technology: Technology is driving the food service industry, so make sure you’re up to date with the latest trends. Utilizing automation and digital tools can help streamline operations and save time.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful food service manager isn’t easy. You need the right qualifications, experience, and outlook. With the right training, education, and know-how, you can become an effective leader in the food industry. Take the time to learn more about the hospitality sector, embrace technological advances, and develop your people skills, and you’ll be well on your way to success.