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What is an assistant manager/shift manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Steve Wages Ph.D.,
Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.
introduction image

Assistant managers/shift managers are responsible for running operations during their shifts. Businesses working in rotating shifts such as fast-food restaurants, manufacturing plants, stores, and many other business establishments hire shift managers, who also function as an assistant to the department manager.

Working in this position, you will delegate tasks to employees and take care of various organizational and administrative duties. You will provide guidance in case any problem arises related to employees' tasks and keep track of inventory and supplies.

You will be there to sort out customer complaints and make sure working areas are clean and safe to use. You will train new employees and educate staff on updated company policies. It will also be your job to guarantee that company operations during your shift comply with safety standards and regulations.

What general advice would you give to an assistant manager/shift manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.Steve Wages Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are
ScoreAssistant Manager/Shift ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $37,772

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 9.06%

Black or African American 11.33%

Hispanic or Latino 16.42%

Unknown 5.20%

White 57.43%

Gender

female 49.34%

male 50.66%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Assistant manager/shift manager career paths

Key steps to become an assistant manager/shift manager

  1. Explore assistant manager/shift manager education requirements

    Most common assistant manager/shift manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    31.9 %

    High School Diploma

    30.8 %

    Associate

    21.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific assistant manager/shift manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service13.24%
    Cleanliness10.91%
    Food Safety10.60%
    Employee Engagement6.37%
    Customer Satisfaction5.64%
  3. Complete relevant assistant manager/shift manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant manager/shift managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant manager/shift manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant manager/shift manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional assistant manager/shift manager certifications

    Assistant manager/shift manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific assistant manager/shift manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for assistant manager/shift managers include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research assistant manager/shift manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage FOH to insure all guests are happy and well taken care of.
    • Run POS system, cash handling, make deposits, serve safe certify
    • Maintain total restaurant cleanliness for every shift would have a clean facility for transaction
    • Implement quality service procedures to provide best in industry beverages while maintaining superior and comfortable experience for Starbucks patrons.
  6. Prepare your assistant manager/shift manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant manager/shift manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an assistant manager/shift manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable assistant manager/shift manager resume templates

    Build a professional assistant manager/shift manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your assistant manager/shift manager resume.
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
    Assistant Manager/Shift Manager Resume
  7. Apply for assistant manager/shift manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an assistant manager/shift manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first assistant manager/shift manager job

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Average assistant manager/shift manager salary

The average assistant manager/shift manager salary in the United States is $37,772 per year or $18 per hour. Assistant manager/shift manager salaries range between $30,000 and $47,000 per year.

Average assistant manager/shift manager salary
$37,772 Yearly
$18.16 hourly

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How do assistant manager/shift managers rate their job?

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Assistant manager/shift manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am

Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Ability to resolve issues, timely delivery on goals and mantainance of inter personal relationship and organizing.

Cons

Insurbordination, failure to deliver on tasks and targets.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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