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How to hire an assistant manager/shift manager

Assistant manager/shift manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring assistant manager/shift managers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 694,994 assistant manager/shift managers in the US, and there are currently 458,844 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire an assistant manager/shift manager is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per assistant manager/shift manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Columbus, OH, has the highest demand for assistant manager/shift managers, with 8 job openings.

How to hire an assistant manager/shift manager, step by step

To hire an assistant manager/shift 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 an assistant manager/shift manager:

Here's a step-by-step assistant manager/shift manager 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 manager/shift manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant manager/shift manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the assistant manager/shift manager you need to hire. Certain assistant manager/shift manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

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

    An assistant manager/shift manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant manager/shift 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.

    Here's a comparison of assistant manager/shift manager salaries for various roles:

    Type of Assistant Manager/Shift ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Assistant Manager/Shift ManagerFood 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.$14-22
    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
    Hourly ManagerAn hourly manager will lead and supervise a team of employees. As an hourly manager, you will maintain the shift operations you are assigned to and keep staff informed of operational issues... Show more$12-24
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food Safety
    • Employee Engagement
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Guest Service
    • Food Service
    • Excellent Guest
    • Inventory Management
    • Labor Costs
    • Customer Complaints
    • Payroll
    • Food Preparation
    • POS
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Administer network workstations, using networking protocols and unix-base operating systems.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, assistant manager/shift managers' average salary in florida is 38% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level assistant manager/shift managers 36% less than senior-level assistant manager/shift managers.
    • Certifications. An assistant manager/shift manager 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 manager/shift manager's salary.

    Average assistant manager/shift manager salary

    $37,772yearly

    $18.16 hourly rate

    Entry-level assistant manager/shift manager salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025
  4. Writing an assistant manager/shift manager job description

    A job description for an assistant manager/shift manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an assistant manager/shift manager job description:

    Assistant manager/shift manager job description example

    We are GROWING! Take advantage of our many advancement opportunities! Lou Malnati’s has 2 concepts -- Full Service/Full Bar restaurants and Carry-Out/Delivery restaurants.

    Right now is a fantastic time to join the Lou Malnati’s family! We are growing quickly and have many exciting initiatives underway making us a fantastic place to work. Our company strategy is to continue growing – growing our people and our ability to bring authentic Chicago style pizza to more customers – while strengthening our company culture and people processes.

    Just Like You, Employee Benefits Are Important To Us.

    As a Manager at Lou Malnati’s you will:
    - Work at a company who has been named Top Chicago Workplace for the past 13 years!
    - Join and empower a dedicated team that takes pride in their work and is committed to excellence and hospitality
    - Earn a competitive salary in a fun work environment
    - Be prepared and considered for internal growth opportunities as we continue to grow and expand

    Other Benefits Include:
    - Competitive Starting Salary
    - Quarterly Bonuses
    - 401(k) with Generous Company Match
    - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
    - Life Insurance
    - Flexible Spending Accounts
    - Paid Vacations and Sick Days
    - Internal Promotion Opportunities

    Requirements:
    - Recent high volume restaurant management experience is preferred.
    - You must be self-motivated, friendly and responsible.
    - You must have strong leadership qualities as well as a sense of humility and a willingness to roll up your sleeves to assist your staff whenever needed.
    - You must be committed to improvement, both in the operations of your assigned restaurant as well as in your own personal and professional development.
    - It is also important that you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
    - Possess the ability to motivate your staff in a positive and creative manner.

    Manager Responsibilities Include
    - Recognizing potential when on-boarding and developing existing team members by inspiring a culture around growth
    - Demonstrating excellent hospitality while anticipating and addressing customer needs
    - Creating a collaborative work culture between management and the entire team
    - Handling difficult employee issues as they arise, including disciplinary write-ups and terminations
    - Assuming direct responsibility for financial performance and profit and taking appropriate corrective actions when needed

    Interested??
    Apply via this posting today!

    .
    The ideal candidate will have experience as a high-volume General Manager, Assistant Manager, AGM, Restaurant Manager, Dining Room Manager, Department Manager, Shift Manager, FOH Manager, Banquet Manager, Floor Manager, Service Manager, GM, RM, Shift Leader, Team Lead, Shift Supervisor, Key Hourly, or another high volume restaurant management or leadership position.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right assistant manager/shift manager 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 manager/shift manager job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant manager/shift 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 assistant manager/shift 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 manager/shift manager

    Once you've decided on a perfect assistant manager/shift manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    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 an assistant manager/shift manager?

Recruiting assistant manager/shift managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $37,772 per year for an assistant manager/shift 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 assistant manager/shift managers in the US typically range between $14 and $22 an hour.

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