How to hire an assistant food service director

How to hire an assistant food service director, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant food service director hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an assistant food service director, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect assistant food service director also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents assistant food service director salaries for various positions.

   Type of Assistant Food Service Director	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Food Service Director	Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. They direct staff to ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience, and they manage the business to ensure that it is profitable.	$13-28
   Bar Manager	Bar managers are also called bar owners or supervisors of bar establishments. The managers are in charge of managing customer complaints, ensuring stocks in the bar, and in scheduling the jobs of employees... Show more	$15-31
   Dining Room Manager	Dining Room Managers are responsible for supervising the operations of a dining establishment or restaurant. Their duties include ensuring workers adhere to operational and service standards, implement training and recruitment processes, addressing customer concerns, achieving customer satisfaction, and overseeing a restaurant's inventory and budget... Show more	$16-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Food Preparation
   • Cleanliness
   • ServSafe
   • Culinary
   • Fine Dining
   • Food Production
   • Customer Service
   • Sanitation Standards
   • Disciplinary Actions
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Food Safety
   • Food Service Operations
   • Develop Team
   • Rehabilitation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage nutrition department of pharmacy and medical home healthcare supply company.
   • Attend food safety classes and complete the Chicago, Illinois and federal ServSafe certifications.
   • Adhere to standard operating procedures for cleanliness of the facility and culinary instruments and utensils
   • Roll out new culinary and nutritional programs in conjunction with Eurest marketing and culinary team.
   • Prepare and research material to become expert on topics ranging from HACCP's, cross contamination, and food borne illness.
   • Facilitate development, implementation and utilization of HACCP.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant food service director job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An assistant food service director can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, assistant food service directors' average salary in tennessee is 45% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant food service directors 51% less than senior-level assistant food service directors.
   • Certifications. An assistant food service director with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an assistant food service director's salary.

   Average assistant food service director salary

   $41,871yearly

   $20.13 hourly rate

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   Entry-level assistant food service director salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an assistant food service director job description

   An assistant food service director 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 an assistant food service director job description:

   Assistant food service director job description example

   Wage Rate
   
   $45,000-$50,000/year
   
   Overview
   
   Are you looking for a career with premium benefits and the potential for growth? At Trinity Services Group, we have created something special, a better place to work and grow. Many employees start just expecting a paycheck but end up with a rewarding career. We provide exceptional training and a clear career path.
   
   We also offer a $250 bonus for completing our Coach's Fast Track Program within the first 60 days!
   
   About This Position
   
   The Assistant Food Service Director works with the Food Service Director to plan, direct, and coordinate activities associated with running a large food service operation with one or more production kitchens. The Assistant Food Service Director is also responsible for supervising a group of food service workers that are involved with the preparation and distribution of food in the kitchen.
   
   Our ideal Assistant Food Service Director excels at the following:
   
   * Passionate about food and service
   * Has a solid understanding of food handling regulations
   * Desire to always learn more
   * Ability to work as a team member, as well as independently
   * Ability to multi-task and adapt to changes quickly
   * Dependable and flexible
   * A strong leader and coach
   
   Essential Functions/Core Responsibilities
   
   * Assist and support the Food Service Director with daily operations.
   * Understands and has working knowledge on how to use all equipment within all kitchens properly and provides training to food service staff on all equipment.
   * Oversee daily tasks are completed by the food service workers.
   * Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations.
   * Maintain a sanitary work environment and conform to all local codes and policies regarding proper storage, handling and serving of food.
   * Assist in the preparation of meals when necessary.
   * Perform other duties consistent with the position as assigned.
   * Knowledge of local, State, Federal regulations and survey inspection process.
   * This role includes physical demands such as lifting, bending, pushing, kneeling, walking, and standing for extended periods of time.
   * Be able to stand and be on your feet for much of the scheduled shift.
   * Perform other related duties as assigned.
   
   What You'll Need
   
   * Two years of management or supervisory experience in a food service position.
   * Three years of experience working in food service.
   * ServSafe Certification.
   * Must have experience with purchasing, inventory, ordering and receiving.
   * Knowledge and experience managing and applying kitchen sanitation and safety standards and methods.
   * Knowledge of basic accounting and mathematical abilities to complete necessary reports.
   * High School Diploma or Equivalent, and you must be at least 18 years of age.
   * Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications and with food service management systems.
   * Ability to pass pre-employment (post offer) Company or Facility background check and drug screening.
   * Prior institutional food service or restaurant experience is preferred.
   
   Benefits
   
   Trinity Services Group (TSG) offers comprehensive benefits to all regular-full time employees. TSG offers a variety of medical plans with:
   
   * Prescription coverage
   * Vision
   * Dental
   * Life Insurance
   * Short Term and Long Term Disability
   * Flex Dollar Allowance program provides money to help offset the cost of the benefits you select, $750 for employees with less than 1 year of service and $1,000 with 1 or more years
   * Many more benefits can be selected to create the right package for you
   
   TSG also understands the importance of work life balance and planning for the future. To help with both of these, employees are eligible for:
   
   * Paid Time Off
   * Company Match for the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
   
   EEO Statement
   
   We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
   
   Responsibilities The Assistant Food Service Director works with the Food Service Director to plan, direct, and coordinate activities associated with running a large food service operation with one or more production kitchens. The Assistant Food Service Director is also responsible for supervising a group of food service workers that are involved with the preparation and distribution of food in the kitchen. Our ideal Assistant Food Service Director excels at the following: - Passionate about food and service - Has a solid understanding of food handling regulations - Desire to always learn more - Ability to work as a team member, as well as independently - Ability to multi-task and adapt to changes quickly - Dependable and flexible - A strong leader and coach Essential Functions/Core Responsibilities - Assist and support the Food Service Director with daily operations. - Understands and has working knowledge on how to use all equipment within all kitchens properly and provides training to food service staff on all equipment. - Oversee daily tasks are completed by the food service workers. - Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations. - Maintain a sanitary work environment and conform to all local codes and policies regarding proper storage, handling and serving of food. - Assist in the preparation of meals when necessary. - Perform other duties consistent with the position as assigned. - Knowledge of local, State, Federal regulations and survey inspection process. - This role includes physical demands such as lifting, bending, pushing, kneeling, walking, and standing for extended periods of time. - Be able to stand and be on your feet for much of the scheduled shift. - Perform other related duties as assigned.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right assistant food service director for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant food service director job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant food service director 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 assistant food service directors, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   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 assistant food service director

   Once you've selected the best assistant food service director candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   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 assistant food service director first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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