Restaurant Manager Job Description: Main Duties & Responsibilities

Finding a great restaurant manager will help you take your business to the next level, ensure everything runs smoothly, give your customers the best dining experience possible, and – most of all – give you a quiet heart knowing your business is in good hands.

But how do you find this superhero? 

It all starts with defining what you’re looking for in an ideal candidate and creating a good restaurant manager job description that basically covers your restaurant manager duties checklist.

So let’s get right to it! Find everything you need to know right here!

Restaurant Manager Duties & Responsibilities

Restaurant manager responsibilities regularly include the following duties:

• Supervising shifts
• Training new and current employees 
• Maximizing customer satisfaction and responding to customer complaints
• Creating schedules
• Tracking employee work hours and recording payroll data
• Appraising staff performance and providing feedback
• Interviewing and recruiting new employees
• Managing daily front- and back-of-house restaurant operations
• Ensuring all cashouts are completed correctly at the end of the day
• Maintaining safety and food quality standards
• Managing inventory 
• Create reports on weekly, monthly, and annual revenues and expenses
• Controlling operational costs and finding ways to reduce waste
• Reviewing product quality and researching new vendors
• Finding creative solutions when issues arise

Sample Restaurant Manager Job Description

[Restaurant name] is a vibrant, fun, and modern restaurant in downtown [location]. In addition to serving good food, we strive to make every customer experience unique and to make everyone feel at home.

We’re currently looking for a full-time Restaurant Manager. In this role, you’ll assist in managing our business’ operational and administrative needs. We’re looking for someone who is a self-starter, loves creating amazing customer experiences, and is excited to become a part of our growing business.

Job Qualifications:

• Prior experience as a restaurant manager or supervisor
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong desire to create high-quality dining experiences
• Approachable, friendly, and able to motivate others
• Outstanding administrative skills
• Proficient in restaurant management software

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing daily operations
• Enhancing employee productivity and professional development
• Managing recruitment and training new employees
• Ensuring all staff complies with health and safety regulations
• Providing upper management with regular reports
• Designing strategy and setting goals for growth
• Analyzing and enhancing operations and financial performance
• Managing our social media accounts

Pay is between $15.00 – $20.00 per hour, depending on experience.

What Does a Restaurant Manager Do?

Restaurant managers work to ensure your daily operations run smoothly and efficiently to provide diners with a pleasant experience consistent with brand standards.

Restaurant managers work closely with upper management to implement customer service policies and hire staff that shares the company’s values. They oversee that everything flows well – from opening until the very last item of your closing checklist is checked off. 

Depending on the business, restaurant manager responsibilities can also include managing budgets, ordering products and supplies, or helping waiters fulfill their duties during understaffed shifts.

Restaurant Manager Skills & Qualifications

Restaurant managers should have the following skills and qualifications to succeed in their roles:

• Work experience as a restaurant manager, hospitality manager, or similar role
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Customer service experience as a manager
• Training in food safety
• Experience working long shifts
• Financial management skills
• Ability to keep inventory organized
• Food and beverage knowledge, including the ability to remember ingredients and menu items
• Familiarity with restaurant management software is a plus
• A degree in Business Administration, Restaurant Management, or culinary schooling is a plus

Restaurant Manager Salary Expectations

On average, a restaurant manager makes $49,538 per year. Note, however, that the salary may depend on the individual’s level of experience, education, and your business’ geographic location. 

Restaurant Manager Education & Training Requirements

In addition to a high school diploma and in-house training that help restaurant managers meet basic requirements, further education and training give candidates an advantage. For instance, having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in restaurant or hospitality management can make it easier for potential hires to handle complex job responsibilities, such as bookkeeping or inventory management. Having a Food Protection Manager Certification or training in culinary arts can assist in maintaining food quality standards and customer service.

Restaurant Manager Experience Requirements

Restaurant managers should have the necessary experience to ensure that every aspect of your restaurant is handled efficiently. Individuals who excelled in previous restaurant jobs will have the skills to hire and train employees to work under them and how to help each staff member meet high standards of service and safety. In addition, they need to be comfortable stepping in to wait tables or lending a helping hand where needed on busy days. 

Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills help create a strong bond between managers and employees, further boosting employee retention. Having at least two years of supervisory or management experience, therefore, gives a candidate a significant advantage.

What Makes a Good Restaurant Manager

A good restaurant manager knows how to run a business smoothly and treat customers with respect and understanding. They should also be patient, stay calm under pressure, possess outstanding customer service skills, have excellent planning skills, and understand effective marketing strategies.

Bottom Line

A good and qualified restaurant manager will help manage your business effectively and efficiently from every aspect – from providing employees with outstanding leadership and taking care of the human resources side of things to forming strategies to grow your business and uplift customer experience.

Depending on your specific needs, you can tailor your restaurant manager job description to find the right fit for your business.