How to hire an hourly manager

How to hire an hourly manager, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an hourly manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   An hourly manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hourly 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 shows salaries for various types of hourly managers.

   Type of Hourly Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Hourly 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.	$12-24
   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
   Food And Beverage Manager	A food and beverage manager is a professional responsible for ensuring that quality food and drinks are being served at a restaurant or hotel. Food and beverage managers are required to be excellent with customers and should have great management skills to meet the organization's labor and financial goals... Show more	$18-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cleanliness
   • Food Safety
   • Management
   • Guest Service
   • Quality Service
   • Product Quality
   • Customer Complaints
   • Customer Service
   • POS
   • Cash Handling
   • Food Quality
   • Math
   • Food Cost
   • Restaurant Operations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Promote and manage restaurant organization, cleanliness and sanitation.
   • Assist employees with POS and the execution of product promotion.
   • Assist with re-marketing of the club through Facebook, club website, and promotional events.
   • Submit receipts and money receive from deliveries at the end of each shift through a POS system.
   • Train new bartenders, weekly inventory of all beer, wine and liquor and assist in ordering product.
   • Perform marketing and advertising via Facebook.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hourly manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An hourly manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, hourly managers' average salary in kansas is 46% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hourly managers earn 51% less than senior-level hourly managers.
   • Certifications. An hourly manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an hourly manager's salary.

   Average hourly manager salary

   $36,449yearly

   $17.52 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hourly manager salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an hourly manager job description

   A good hourly manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an hourly manager job description:

   Hourly manager job description example

   Chili's Managers are wired for hospitality! We're in the people business. So, we know how to make someone feel special, and our most successful Managers are passionate about connecting with Team Members and Guests. Our win-together atmosphere rewards teamwork, and a willingness to go above and beyond is always recognized and celebrated.
   
   For decades, Chili's has been known for our culture of fun. Simply put - we take our jobs seriously but not ourselves. Our Managers are hungry for top business results but also know how to have fun along the way. From leading the team through a high-energy shift to exceeding Guest expectations on every occasion to ensuring we meet our financial responsibilities, Managers are the critical link to making it all happen.
   Responsibilities
   
   Ensure a great Guest experience Role model and hold Team Members accountable to operational and quality standards Identify root cause of issues while being self-reflective and holding yourself accountable first, showing vulnerability and transparency Foster open communication between Team Members and Management Influence Team Member behaviors by championing change and restaurant initiatives Lead with heart and mind Drive business results by utilizing Chili's systems to effectively control costs Follow operational systems, such as our Manager Timeline and performing quality Line Checks Hire, train, retain, and develop Team Members to take on larger roles Drive Guest engagement within the four walls of the restaurant while developing relationships within the community Understand and practice safe food handling procedures Communicate and embody Chili's culture and Cultural Beliefs: Every Guest Counts, Food Perfection, Be Accountable, Play Restaurant
   
   About Us
   
   Chili's was born in Dallas, Texas in 1975. Since then, we've boldly claimed our place in the casual dining industry as the place to go for Big Mouth burgers, house smoked ribs, full on fajitas, and hand shaken margaritas! With a legacy deeply rooted in service, hospitality, and giving back, we are committed to delivering the best experience to every Guest, every day.
   
   About You
   
   Dependable team player Prefers to work in a fast-paced environment Great multitasking skills

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find hourly 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 hourly manager job on Zippia to find and recruit hourly manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit hourly managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 hourly manager

   Once you've selected the best hourly manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new hourly manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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 hourly manager?