Food Service Manager Career
The growing food service industry not only needs reliable employees, it needs managers who can mentor and guide employees to provide exceptional service and safe food. Working as a food service manager can be a great career choice when you consider that in 2015, the median pay was $50,820. In addition, the typical education for a manager is a high school diploma or equivalent and the job outlook is positive.
Additionally, under than 30% of food service managers have less than a high school diploma, 28% have a high school diploma or equivalent and 14% have some college, but no degree.
Food Service Manager Career Snapshot
Food service managers are employed by restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other places where ready-to-eat food is sold to the public. If you like preparing food, being creative and have the leadership skills to take a food business to the next level, consider a career as a food service manager.
Further details on a career as a food service manager are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average yearly pay for food service managers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have less than a High school diploma while 28% have a High school diploma or equivalent.
Food Service Manager Education
There are many avenues to becoming a food service manager. Many people begin as servers and cooks while in high school. Those who are willing to perform various food service jobs and assume additional responsibilities of supervising and mentoring others, often become managers or owners of food service establishments. Others choose to attend a community college or culinary school. These schools have programs that include certificates in specific areas such as baking, associate degrees in culinary arts, or four-year degrees in hospitality management.
Food Service Manager Job Duties
A food service manager ensures that a food business is profitable and that food is prepared and presented to customers properly. The food service manager is also responsible for the timely ordering of food and supplies and making sure that employees use safe food handling practices.
Food Service Manager Salaries
Salaries for food service managers depend on education and experience. An entry-level manager may earn around $29,000 annually as reported by BLS.gov. In May 2016 the median annual wage for food service managers was $50,820. Managers for upscale dining operations and those responsible for multiple locations may earn $87,000 or more.
Food Service Manager Job Outlook
According to statistics, families spend almost half of their food dollars eating food prepared away from home. Not only that, the number of food related television programs and websites has fueled the public’s fascination with eating out and trying new restaurants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there will be 5 percent growth in the industry from 2014 -2024.
Food Service Manager Skills & Traits
| Food Service Manager Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Food Service Managers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Service Orientation • Coordination • Critical Thinking • Speaking | • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression • Problem Sensitivity • Written Comprehension | • Computerized cash registers • Laser printers • Notebook computers • Personal computers | • Making Decisions and Solving Problems • Training and Teaching Others • Getting Information • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates |
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