How to Begin a Professional Career as a Food Service Manager

Food Service Manager Salary The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Food Service Managers throughout the U.S. earned an average just under $48,000 in 2012. The bottom 10 percent of these managers earned about $30,280. The top 10 percent earned over $81,030. The range of these averages varies greatly. The industry in which a Food Service Manager works influences the yearly salaries. We've included a list of median salaries per year for the five main employer types of food service managers:

• Tourism - $54,600
• Specialized food service - $54,210
• Nursing facilities - $49,650
• Education - $49,440
• Restaurants and other establishments that serve food - $46,360

How To Become A Food Service Manager In order to become a food service manager, you’ll typically only need two things: a high-school diploma (or an equivalent certificate) and an adequate level of experience working a lower level food service position (such as a counter attendant, waiter, or cook). Some food service managers are formally trained and possess a degree or certificate from a community college, vocational school, culinary school, or even a four-year college. Educational Requirements As specified above, most employers won't require that you hold a degree to become an entry level Food Service Manager. However, if you aspire to one day hold a higher managerial position, you may need a college degree or some other form of post-secondary education certification. Major food companies and more prominent national/local chain restaurants started recruiting trainees for management positions from college programs. The typical major of choice is hospitality or food service management. These programs typically require students enroll in internships or other professional experiences before graduating. If you’re interested in such a program (either in a college, university, community college, junior college, technical school or vocational school) you should be pleased to learn that they’re widely available. Many schools offer these degrees. So, you should be able to obtain a bachelor’s degree or associate degree in hospitality management or restaurant management no matter where you live. If your end-goal is to one day run and own your own restaurant, you can also take restaurant management courses in culinary schools around the country. Some of the topics covered by these courses include planning and preparing food, sanitation, and nutrition. Additionally, you’ll also complete coursework in fields related to management: accounting, law, management, and business. The top programs for food service managers also provide access to real-life experience through internships. Certification Most food service management positions don’t require certification. Like many other positions, certification is becoming common which makes it a good idea in today’s competitive job market. If you haven’t received formal training in any of the skill areas this job entails, proving your skills through certifications could be a great alternative. You can become a Food Service Management Professional if you pass an exam with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Training Professional food service managers typically receive their training on the job. Certain training programs combine theoretical classwork with hands-on, practical experience. These programs usually instruct participants in company policy, managing staff, sanitation, nutrition, basic accountancy, dedicated software usage, and preparing food. Professional Experience Most employers will require their Food Service Manager have prior experience in the food industry in an entry level. These professionals will have spent years in the industry working as a cook, a waiter/waitress, a counter attendant, or a dining room attendant, before being promoted. Such entry-level work typically involves close supervision and instruction of a seasoned food industry professional (such as another Food Service Manager).

Food Service Manager Job Description Food Service Managers ensure restaurants and other locations that prepare/serve food run smoothly on a daily basis. They ensure that restaurant continues to make a profit and that all members of the staff coordinate with one another. Duties Here is a list of the typical duties of a Food Service Manager:

• Recruitment, job interviews, supervision, training, and firing other employees.
• Inventory management, which involves ordering foodstuff, drinks, machinery, and other items the restaurant needs.
• Supervising the cooking process.
• Inspects all of the restaurant’s working areas to ensure sufficient stock of supplies.
• Ensure compliance with the rules and regulations that relate to health, staff safety, and food safety.
• Bookkeeping, financial transaction reviews, payroll management, and budget maintenance.
• Scheduling of working hours and task assignment duties.

Job Outlook The Bureau expects the Food Service Manager position to only expand by 2% over the next decade. Essentially, they predict that the position will remain at the same level it is right now through 2022. That is not to say that the field will stagnate or experience difficulties. The economy is slowly improving and population numbers are on the rise again. The Bureau expects consumers to continue frequenting restaurants. They will also be ordering food deliveries for the home/work place and buying take out. In turn, this will determine the emergence of new food catering businesses, diners, franchises, cafés, cafeterias, and fast-food restaurants. The main reason for the job growth numbers stems from the rather stagnant process through which companies recruit food service managers. They are usually selected from long-term members of the staff, who become promoted to management positions. If you’ve worked in the food service industry for several years, you have a good chance at being promoted to food service manager. While other professionals in these positions retire or move away, they will need to be replaced. Your odds are all the more favorable if you hold a secondary education degree in hospitality, restaurant management, or food service.