Research Summary. Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a general manager. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of general manager resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.3% of general manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills a general manager actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

  • The most common hard skill for a general manager is customer service. 20.3% general managers have this skill on their resume.
  • The second most common hard skill for a general manager is cleanliness appearing on 18.1% of resumes. The third most common is food safety on 7.1% of resumes.
  • Three common soft skills for a general manager are communication skills, leadership skills and management skills.

Some of the most important hard skills a general manager can possess include supervising payroll, enforcing company policies, and inventory control. It's important that general managers have these skills because they are required in just about every industry. They may also need the hard skills of ensuring food safety if working in the food service industry.

When it comes to soft skills, general managers should have great customer service skills, as well as a commitment to meeting sales goals. General managers frequently need to interact with customers or guests, so these skills are crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a general manager. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of general manager resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.3% of general manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills a general manager actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

15 Essential General Manager Skills For Your Resume And Career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how customer service is used on general manager resumes:
  • Managed catering events personally to ensure excellent customer service to establish a catering revenue stream and increase off-season sales.
  • Worked closely with Central Michigan University staff and students to establish a reputation of strong customer service and satisfaction.
  • Cultivate team environment providing exceptional customer service while ensuring all staff members perform at a consistently high level.
  • Designed and implemented numerous strategic plans in order to improve customer service and increase operational profit.
  • Use customer service skills when educating readers about advertising opportunities and benefits of being a distributor.

2. Cleanliness

Here's how cleanliness is used on general manager resumes:
  • Maintained facility operations including daily operations, cleanliness, hiring/training, inventory management, and client relations.
  • Monitored daily operations of facilities to maintain high level of customer service, cleanliness and equipment maintenance.
  • Checked work stations and cooking utensils for cleanliness and coordinated repair and preventive maintenance services for facility.
  • Worked closely with corporate inspector to maintain strict cleanliness and sanitation as well as production consistency.
  • Monitored patient meal delivery, inspected department storage and receiving areas for cleanliness and organization.

3. Food Safety

Here's how food safety is used on general manager resumes:
  • Ensured food safety procedures are executed according to company policy and health/sanitation regulations and take necessary corrective actions.
  • Mentored the team-and ensured a positive dining experience for customers-by monitoring and reinforcing food safety procedures.
  • Certified by National Registry of Food Safety Professionals as a Certified Food Safety Manager.
  • Conducted daily management responsibilities, including food safety, controlling costs and customer service.
  • Inventory management Scheduling Accomplishments Operations and food safety scores that exceed company expectations.

And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:

  1. Kroger Jobs (1,111)
  2. Best Buy Jobs (1,030)
  3. Chipotle Mexican Grill Jobs (1,070)
  4. Burger King Jobs (2,195)
  5. Taco Bell Jobs (1,872)

4. Guest Service

Here's how guest service is used on general manager resumes:
  • Outperformed competing properties by leveraging Four- and Five-Star/Diamond rating guidelines to establish brand standards and initiatives for guest service excellence.
  • Supervised daily store operations to ensure profitability through guest services, store presentation, time management and maintaining /controlling inventory.
  • Maintained unified front-and-back-of-house staff to create a cohesive, cooperative team committed to premium guest service and optimum profitability.
  • Direct responsibility for corporate culture and developing cooperative team dedicated to exceptional guest service and satisfaction.
  • Developed, implemented and monitored programs to maximize customer satisfaction and manage guest service representatives.

5. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how payroll is used on general manager resumes:
  • Supervised all operational activities including payroll, ordering, shipping and receiving and benefits procedures.
  • Review operational reports and records, monitor store profitability and manage payroll budgets.
  • Developed and implemented budgets, monitored payroll records, and reviewed financial transactions.
  • Assisted with payroll preparation and entered data into cumulative payroll document.
  • Performed all administrative duties including bookkeeping and payroll.

6. Math

Here's how math is used on general manager resumes:
  • Train the instructors on the curriculum and how to teach Math, Science, Technology, and Engineering through robotics.
  • Provided the model shop with support that included drawings, screen plots, math data files, and verbal direction.
  • Provide high quality instruction for students K-12 in math, reading and preparation for the SAT & GMAT exams.
  • Created and released 3D math data to GM Team center database per GM engineering work order changes.
  • Mentored a group of fourth graders to improve reading level and math skills to appropriate grade level.

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7. Ladders

Here's how ladders is used on general manager resumes:
  • Worked with pallet jacks, ladders, L-Carts, Rocket Carts, and a Compactor Machine.
  • Set up, arranged and removed decorations, tables, chairs, ladders and scaffolding to prepare facilities for large events.
  • Constructed safety provisions, including scaffolding, gang ladders, perimeter railings, fall protection and temporary covers.
  • Replaced the bulbs for the store spot lighting using two different types of ladders and various power tools.
  • Maneuver around sales floor and stockroom, climb ladders and lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

8. Inventory Control

Here's how inventory control is used on general manager resumes:
  • Implemented inventory control procedures maintaining operational accuracy.
  • Facilitated inventory control and quality assurance
  • Implemented supplier managed inventory programs to minimize inventory on hand and reduce order processing, inventory control and billing costs.
  • Sourced and led the implementation of a customized distribution software package to improve inventory control and customer service levels.
  • Maintained strong customer and vendor relationships, designed accounting and inventory control systems, and oversaw main distribution channel.

9. Customer Satisfaction

Here's how customer satisfaction is used on general manager resumes:
  • Recognized by regional leadership for successfully implementing projects, achieving multiple monthly top sales awards and exceeding customer satisfaction targets.
  • Provided customer service by greeting customers and discovering their needs, answering telephones, resolving conflicts and ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Initiated strategic drivers of accountability for financial performance, first time quality in the service department and customer satisfaction initiatives.
  • Conduct quarterly audits of preventative maintenance standards, customer satisfaction, productivity, parts management and staffing needs.
  • Developed and coordinated strategies that maximized sales and earnings, enhanced customer satisfaction, and improved staff performance.

10. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how pos is used on general manager resumes:
  • Purchased inventory, implemented POS hardware/software, managed all financial and business areas, and developed new marketing strategies.
  • Spearheaded implementation of POS system to improve accuracy, efficiency and speed of restaurant operations.
  • Maintained and updated legacy POS system including analyzing and debugging minor system inconsistencies.
  • Implemented new POS system to improve inventory accuracy and monitoring.
  • Chaired committee researching and selecting a new POS system that reduced costs, improved inventory functions, and boosted overall profitability.

11. Inventory Management

Here's how inventory management is used on general manager resumes:
  • Championed/introduced ADP/Hollander computerized business and inventory management system.
  • Generated reports and analyses that were instrumental in SKU consolidation, inventory management and other measures that improved efficiency and accuracy.
  • Changed organizational thinking to address new markets, drive efficiency and accountability within customer service, inventory management and operations.
  • Created the Inventory Management and Distribution group by reorganizing the Corporate Purchasing structure and utilizing regional and divisional purchasing resources.
  • Managed the order management, warehousing, inventory management and transportation at two distribution facilities in different cities in Tennessee.

12. Guest Satisfaction

Here's how guest satisfaction is used on general manager resumes:
  • Directed hotel operations, building a culture of excellence centered on maximizing guest satisfaction and providing superior quality of service.
  • Direct upgrade and revitalization of property; significantly increase dining, conference/event ROR, room occupancy and guest satisfaction.
  • Created and implemented continuous improvement processes ensuring increase in sales department productivity and guest satisfaction scores.
  • Investigated and resolved food and beverage quality and service complaints ensuring guest satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Focused on guest satisfaction and profitability while managing the entire operation of this restaurant unit.

13. Customer Relations

Here's how customer relations is used on general manager resumes:
  • Implemented email, postcard and social networking customer retention software in an effort to maintain superior customer relationships and return business.
  • Developed and managed customer relations to maximize service satisfaction, promote goodwill and generate repeat/referral business that contributes to sales growth.
  • Managed inner-market customer relations including: investment and ROI accountability, forecasts and budget variances, and account analysis responsibility.
  • Motivated dealership management personnel on improving the profitability and efficiency of their Service, Parts, and Customer Relations departments.
  • Developed and implemented exclusive outside catering services by cultivating a customer relationship with City of Sunset Hills Recreations/Community Center.

14. Cash Control

Here's how cash control is used on general manager resumes:
  • Assisted in profit and loss management by following cash control/security procedures, maintained inventory, managing labor and reviewing financial reports.
  • Assumed full responsibility for restaurant profit and loss management by implementing marketing strategies and following cash control/security procedures.
  • Assist with P&L management by following cash control/security procedures reviewing financial reports and implementing strategy.
  • Established and implemented daily cash control procedures, reducing shortages, resolving potential negative impacting issues.
  • Cash Control Loss Prevention Hiring firing Sales Profit management Banking Scheduling Merchandising all aspects of Store Management

15. Cost Control

Cost control is a process in which actual costs are recorded and incorporated into a format that allows comparison with project budgets to regulate and control operating costs within an organization. The goal of cost control is to manage project delivery within the approved budget and reduce expenses to increase profits.

Here's how cost control is used on general manager resumes:
  • Analyzed financial and operational deficiencies and implemented strategic initiatives to improve quality of service and cost controls throughout all departments.
  • Received Certificate of Corporate Management while maintaining proper cost control and improving profits and operating standards 10% overall.
  • Managed finance & profitability by analyzing and interpreting financial data on income statements and recommending cost controls.
  • Revitalized business through aggressive cost controls, increased revenue collection, strong maintenance oversight and re-staffing.
  • Managed daily review of cost control procedures, financial accounting, inventory levels and labor management
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The eight most common skills based on General Manager resumes in 2023.

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List Of Skills To Add To Your General Manager Resume

According to recent trends, the most relevant general manager Resume Keywords for your resume are:

  • Customer Service
  • Cleanliness
  • Food Safety
  • Guest Service
  • Payroll
  • Math
  • Ladders
  • Inventory Control
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • POS
  • Inventory Management
  • Guest Satisfaction
  • Customer Relations
  • Cash Control
  • Cost Control
  • Store Operations
  • Cash Handling
  • Restaurant Operations
  • Product Quality
  • Food Quality
  • Financial Statements
  • Human Resources
  • Punctuality
  • Financial Performance
  • Bank Deposits
  • Labor Costs
  • Loss Prevention
  • Performance Reviews
  • Dollies
  • Business Plan
  • Sales Growth
  • Direct Reports
  • Food Preparation
  • Customer Complaints
  • Exceptional Guest
  • Financial Reports
  • Front Desk
  • Excellent Guest
  • Retail Store
  • Business Development
  • Customer Issues
  • Business Operations
  • Gross Profit
  • Loss Statements
  • Performance Evaluations
  • Food Cost
  • Sales Volume
  • Perform Routine Maintenance
  • Quality Guest
  • Staff Development

Real Examples Of General Manager Resumes That Use These Skills

Most Important General Manager Skills According To Experts

What Skills Stand Out On Hospitality Manager Resumes?

Daniel Innis Ph.D.

Professor of Marketing and Hospitality Management, University of New Hampshire

I think the most important skill is a lifelong learning orientation and the recognition by the student/employee that there is always something new to learn. In fact, I shared this with my intro class just this week when I told them that even now, at age 58, I am learning new things every day. That attitude will help one grow into a career and to excel. Another skill that is very much underrepresented is an understanding of revenue management and pricing. The industry is improving on this front, but not enough universities offer a course on the subject to undergraduates. We have it here at UNH, and I developed it a few years ago. It has been a wild success, attracting students from other majors as well.

What Soft Skills Should All Hospitality Managers Possess?

Amanda Gargano

Professor, Cypress College, School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management

Soft skills are so important and desirable in all sectors, especially in Hospitality. We strive to teach our students the importance of accountability, personal responsibility, interpersonal relationships, and effective communication. We stress the importance of arriving early, behaving respectfully, working efficiently, and carrying themselves professionally.

What Hard/technical Skills Are Most Important For Hospitality Managers?

Charlie Adams Ph.D.

Associate Professor, RHIM Undergraduate Advisor, Texas Tech University

Three very important hard skills are operations competency, sales and marketing, and financial acumen. Hospitality businesses are multifaceted and require competencies in both the front and back of the house. Sales and marketing is something every hospitality manager does, and being good at it can mean the difference between the success and failure of a business. Financial acumen means planning, forecasting, and controlling the income and expenses of a hospitality business. Financial skills are crucial to the profitability and growth of hospitality enterprises.

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Online Courses For General Managers

One of the best ways to acquire the skills needed to be a general manager is to take an online course. We've identified some online courses from Udemy and Coursera that will help you advance in your career. Since general managers benefit from having skills like customer service, cleanliness, and food safety, we found courses that will help you improve these skills.

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