What Do Food Service Managers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Food Service Managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages. They also monitor employee and patron activities to ensure liquor regulations are obeyed.

Other tasks include:

• Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
• Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
• Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
• Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
• Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted.
• Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.

We asked Food Service Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 41% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Food Service Managers count money and make bank deposits. They greet guests, escort them to their seats, and present them with menus and wine lists.

A typical day for a Food Service Manager will also include:

• Test cooked food by tasting and smelling it to ensure palatability and flavor conformity.
• Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
• Monitor compliance with health and fire regulations regarding food preparation and serving, and building maintenance in lodging and dining facilities.
• Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
• Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.

We asked some Food Service Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	56% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	50% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	67% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	47% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Food Service Managers also schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity. They may also schedule staff hours and assign duties.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Food Service Managers Estimate food, liquor, wine, and other beverage consumption to anticipate amounts to be purchased or requisitioned. They might also Arrange for equipment maintenance and repairs, and coordinate a variety of services, such as waste removal and pest control.

In addition, they Organize and direct worker training programs, resolve personnel problems, hire new staff, and evaluate employee performance in dining and lodging facilities.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Order and purchase equipment and supplies.

To some Food Service Managers, it is also their responsibility to Review menus and analyze recipes to determine labor and overhead costs, and assign prices to menu items.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Food Service Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/food-service-managers.htm

http://www.chrie.org/

http://www.nraef.org/