How to hire a cafeteria manager

How to hire a cafeteria manager, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your cafeteria manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a cafeteria manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   This list presents cafeteria manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Cafeteria Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Cafeteria Manager	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.	$10-23
   Food Service Director	A food service director is responsible for managing the foodservice operations, achieving the customers' highest satisfaction by supervising the kitchen personnel, monitoring the food distribution, and responding to the guests' inquiries and concerns. Foodservice directors manage the food inventories, ensuring the adequacy of all the ingredients and materials, and keeping the storage safe and clean all the time by enforcing strict sanitary and hygienic procedures... Show more	$16-39
   Shift Lead Manager	A shift lead manager is an employee who is responsible for supervising the daily activities of a store, particularly in creating schedules and assigning them to staff members. Shift lead managers are required to monitor the team's performance and manage the requests of employees... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Food Safety
   • Bank Deposits
   • Payroll
   • ServSafe
   • Plan Menus
   • Food Service Operations
   • USDA
   • POS
   • HACCP
   • Safety Standards
   • Order Food
   • Inventory Control
   • Production Sheets

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage three main cafeterias and multiple internal plant cafeteria sites.
   • Manage cafeteria as well as ordering groceries and other supplies and making sure all paper work is done.
   • Manage festival concessions, including product selection, vendor management and volunteer training.
   • Train staff as it relates to food preparation procedures and safety regulations and POS system.
   • Order supplies and groceries from approve vendors.
   • Monitor students' allergies and arrange for substitution if necessary.

   More cafeteria manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cafeteria manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A cafeteria manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a cafeteria manager in Arkansas may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level cafeteria manager usually earns less than a senior-level cafeteria manager. Additionally, a cafeteria manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average cafeteria manager salary

   $15.62hourly

   $32,485 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cafeteria manager salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average cafeteria manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$36,290	$17
   2	California	$36,238	$17
   3	Massachusetts	$35,721	$17
   4	Nevada	$34,612	$17
   5	Pennsylvania	$32,767	$16
   6	Alabama	$31,009	$15
   7	Utah	$30,598	$15
   8	Colorado	$30,515	$15
   9	Arizona	$30,317	$15
   10	Missouri	$30,235	$15
   11	Louisiana	$28,721	$14
   12	Texas	$27,640	$13
   13	Oklahoma	$25,692	$12
   14	North Carolina	$25,604	$12
   15	Arkansas	$25,560	$12
   16	Florida	$25,007	$12
   17	Kansas	$24,937	$12
   18	Tennessee	$23,730	$11

   Average cafeteria manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Boston Public Schools	$70,073	$33.69	13
   2	Union County Public Schools	$36,043	$17.33	1
   3	Fayette County Public Schools	$34,598	$16.63
   4	Ingles Markets	$34,361	$16.52	1
   5	Buena Vista University	$34,094	$16.39
   6	Hemet Unified School District	$33,275	$16.00
   7	Archdiocese Of San Antonio	$32,493	$15.62	4
   8	Kelly Services	$32,376	$15.57	3
   9	Universal Health Services	$31,721	$15.25
   10	SLA Management	$31,317	$15.06	7
   11	Archdiocese of Indianapolis	$30,744	$14.78	3
   12	Taher, Inc. Professional Food Service Management	$30,453	$14.64	12
   13	Moorpark Unified School District	$29,846	$14.35
   14	Wentzville R Iv School District	$29,645	$14.25	1
   15	Aramark	$29,584	$14.22	232
   16	Vista Unified	$28,833	$13.86
   17	Barber National Institute	$28,748	$13.82
   18	Tolleson Union High School District	$28,155	$13.54
   19	Five Star Gourmet Foods	$27,885	$13.41
   20	Bedford County Public Schools	$27,802	$13.37	1

4. Writing a cafeteria manager job description

   A job description for a cafeteria 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 a cafeteria manager job description:

   Cafeteria manager job description example

   SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
   
   Under direction, has immediate responsibility for the management and operation of the secondary school cafeteria and, in some instances, a central kitchen. Employees in these classes are responsible for the management of the school food service programs including on-the-job training, scheduling assignment, supervision, and evaluation of the cafeteria workers. Supervision is received from the principal or designee; technical supervision and guidance is received from a food services supervisor. Nature of the work involves strict adherence to nutritional, sanitary, and safety standards and economic use of foodstuffs and supplies to maintain a financially solvent program. Employees in these classes must operate under a close time schedule and must be able to utilize work simplification techniques. (NOTE: A school cafeteria's previous year's gross adjusted income determines the classification of the cafeteria manager position. Overall responsibilities of cafeteria managers at all levels are generally the same; specific duties may vary depending upon volume and diversity of food service program. In some food service programs, the manager may be directly involved in the preparation of foods, assigning the more routine duties to the worker(s). In some food service programs, the manager is less involved in actual preparation and cooking and more actively engaged in supervision of the staff.)
   
   CERTIFICATE LICENSE:
   
   Possession of a valid Maryland noncommercial Class C drivers license, or equivalent. Current sanitation certification required.
   
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
   
   Completion of the MCPS Cafeteria Manager Test at the required score. Strong communication, training and human relations skills to work cooperatively in close proximity with others under constant deadlines. Ability to manage inventory and order food and supplies. Considerable knowledge of large quantity food production and forecasting. Knowledge of HACCP guidelines for safe food handling from receiving to service. Knowledge of standard sanitation procedures for care and cleaning of kitchen equipment. Ability to effectively communicate to meet the needs of all customers: students, school staff and community. Knowledge of free and reduced-price meal benefits guidelines and accountability procedures. Knowledge of financial practices and procedures, including cashiering, bank deposits, and cash accountability. Ability to analyze and utilize data to maintain an efficient and cost-effective cafeteria operation. Considerable knowledge of computer point-of-sale systems. Knowledge of age-appropriate nutrition principles. Effective time management skills. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
   
   EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
   
   High School or GED diploma required. Completion of the appropriate training programs required for the position. Experience in a supervisory or management capacity in a school or other institutional food service setting and in the operation of a variety of commercial food service equipment required. Experience as a school cafeteria worker preferable. Experience working in an elementary school satellite desirable. Considerable experience using Microsoft Office software products desirable. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find cafeteria managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cafeteria manager job on Zippia to find and recruit cafeteria manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cafeteria manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 cafeteria manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the cafeteria manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new cafeteria manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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