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What is a food manager and how to become one
A food manager oversees the daily operations of a food service establishment. They manage staff, order supplies, and ensure that food safety guidelines are followed. They may also create menus, handle customer complaints, and maintain financial records. Food managers must have strong leadership skills, be knowledgeable about food safety regulations, and possess excellent communication skills. They may work in settings such as restaurants, cafeterias, or catering companies.
Avg. Salary $37,654
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 10%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%
Asian 8.55%
Black or African American 10.64%
Hispanic or Latino 17.61%
Unknown 5.24%
White 57.39%
Genderfemale 48.13%
male 51.87%
Age - 38American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 38Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a food manager?
Pros
Good salary and benefits
Opportunity to work with a variety of people
Ability to learn about different cuisines and cooking techniques
Opportunity to develop management and leadership skills
Potential for networking in the industry
Cons
Physical demands, such as standing for long periods and carrying heavy objects
Dealing with difficult customers or employees
Needing to work in hot temperatures or near dangerous equipment
High levels of responsibility, including food safety, health codes, and financial management
Constantly changing trends and expectations in the industry
Food manager career paths
Key steps to become a food manager
Explore food manager education requirements
Start to develop specific food manager skills
Skills Percentages Food Handling 13.43% Cleanliness 10.97% Cash Control 9.79% Customer Satisfaction 7.93% Non 6.43% Complete relevant food manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New food 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 a food manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real food manager resumes.Gain additional food manager certifications
More About CertificationsFood 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 food manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for food managers include Certified Food Manager (CFM) and Food Safety Manager Certification.
Research food manager duties and responsibilities
- Lead quarterly training sessions on fire safety mandate by OSHA.
- Manage all food regulatory documentation ensuring accuracy and compliancy with FDA, CFIA and EFSA agencies.
- Prepare, analyze reports, staff training and development, prioritization, delegation and manage all aspects of the USDA program.
- Manage inventory, ordering and delivery of groceries.
Prepare your food manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your food 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 a food 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 food manager resume templates
Build a professional food 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 food manager resume.
Apply for food manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a food manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first food manager job
Are you a food manager?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average food manager salary
The average food manager salary in the United States is $37,654 per year or $18 per hour. Food manager salaries range between $24,000 and $57,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do food managers rate their job?
Food manager reviews
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
Educating employees and getting everyone on the same mindset about what it takes for a company to succeed.
I love the problem solving aspect. Helping my team work through problems and training new employees to perform to their best.
Updated January 8, 2025
