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How to hire a 1st assistant manager

1st assistant manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring 1st assistant managers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a 1st assistant manager is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per 1st assistant manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 588,929 1st assistant managers in the US and 407,937 job openings.
  • Blaine, MN, has the highest demand for 1st assistant managers, with 3 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of 1st assistant managers.

How to hire a 1st assistant manager, step by step

To hire a 1st assistant manager, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a 1st assistant manager:

Here's a step-by-step 1st assistant manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a 1st assistant manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new 1st assistant manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The 1st assistant manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A 1st assistant manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, 1st assistant managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of 1st assistant managers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of 1st Assistant ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    1st Assistant Manager$10-18
    Co-ManagerA co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules... Show more$16-57
    Floor ManagerA floor manager is responsible for supervising the general operations of a specific department in an organization. Floor manager tasks include assisting customers, ensuring prompt resolution of clients' inquiries, distributing tasks to the staff, and monitoring the employees' performance... Show more$15-27
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Cleanliness
    • Guest Service
    • Food Safety
    • Customer Service
    • Exceptional Guest
    • Excellent Interpersonal
    • Paperwork
    • Product Knowledge
    • Inventory Management
    • Retail Store
    • Math
    • Basic Math
    • Visual Presentation
    • Cash Control
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage a team in order to reach daily, monthly, and yearly monetary, KPI, and loyalty goals.
    • Operate POS system, cash register, fax machine, credit and debit card machine and copy machine.
    • Handle attendance and punctuality, performance evaluations, implement policies and procedures, provide guidelines for database clean-up and informal training.
    • Design and present a PowerPoint slide show to introduce customers to digital photography, thereby enhancing photo department sales.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your 1st assistant manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A 1st assistant manager salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, 1st assistant managers' average salary in georgia is 44% less than in hawaii.
    • Seniority. Entry-level 1st assistant managers earn 46% less than senior-level 1st assistant managers.
    • Certifications. A 1st assistant manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a 1st assistant manager's salary.

    Average 1st assistant manager salary

    $13.95hourly

    $29,020 yearly

    Entry-level 1st assistant manager salary
    $21,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025
  4. Writing a 1st assistant manager job description

    A 1st assistant manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a 1st assistant manager job description:

    1st assistant manager job description example

    1. Assists general manager to increase sales and net profit of the business.

    2. Meets annual budget while ensuring the mission is attained.

    3. Prepares and reviews daily summary report.

    4. Prepares and reviews weekly operations report.

    5. Prepares the team schedule with JDA Back Office and daily deployment sheets based on forecasts and labor budget.

    6. Consistently ensures proper portion control for all menu items.

    7. Ensures training and demonstration of food safety using Culver’s Food Safety Plan.

    8. Routinely monitors and coaches team on safety best practices related to the Culver’s hazard communication program and workplace safety.

    9. Recruits, hires and terminates team members.

    10. Provides ongoing training, development and coaching to efficiently lead team.

    11. Provides ongoing development of managers.

    12. Performs quarterly performance appraisals of team members.

    13. Assists general manager with four team meetings per year to develop team and ensure consistency in system standards of quality and guest service are maintained.

    14. Ensures consistent uniform and appearance standards of team members.

    15. Ensures team education concerning current marketing and public relations information.

    16. Consistently maintains excellence in guest relations including follow up on guest comment cards promptly and effectively.

    17. Effectively runs shifts to ensure quality product and prompt guest service.

    18. Consistently ensures guests receive quality products in five minutes or less for in house orders and four minutes or less for drive thru orders.

    19. Ensures equipment is effectively maintained and repaired.

    20. Ensures proper follow up of visitation and full field reports, including but not limited to cleanliness, hospitality, and ground appearance.

    21. Performs daily morning, afternoon and evening restaurant tours.

    22. Demonstrates positive and effective role modeling for all team members through appearance and attitude.

    23. Checks e-mail and extranet twice during each shift and responds as necessary.

    24. Follows up with Training Coordinator regarding training and implementation of new products and procedures to team members.

    25. Supervises the accurate completion of food inventory order using projections based on current restaurant sales.

    26. Ensures accurate completion of the Quality Control/Safe Food Checklist and Product Rotation Reports.

    27. Review food cost variance report in Radiant to determine appropriate waste dollars and where improvements can be made.

    28. Reviews daily deployment sheet and adjusts to ensure team efficiency while maintaining labor costs.

    29. Ensures active and ongoing community relationships.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    · Strong decision making skills with the ability to develop and sustain a high performing team. Ability to build relationships and foster a positive and friendly environment. Three years leadership experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Certified from a national food safety program.

    PHYSICAL ABILITIES

    · Stands for long periods of time without sitting; Walks fast paced during shifts; Bends, reaches and stoops

    · Lift / carry 10 lbs or less Constantly; Lift / carry 11-20 lbs Constantly; Lift / carry 21-50 lbs Frequently; Lift / carry 51-100 lbs Occasionally

  5. Post your job

    To find the right 1st assistant manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with 1st assistant managers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit 1st assistant managers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your 1st assistant manager job on Zippia to find and recruit 1st assistant manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit 1st assistant managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new 1st assistant manager

    Once you've found the 1st assistant manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a 1st assistant manager?

Before you start to hire 1st assistant managers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire 1st assistant managers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $29,020 per year for a 1st assistant manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for 1st assistant managers in the US typically range between $10 and $18 an hour.

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