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What does a kitchen assistant manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a kitchen assistant manager do

An assistant kitchen manager is in charge of a large establishment or restaurant when the manager is not around. They supervise all operations in the kitchen, monitor the performance of the staff, train the newly hired crew, and create an inventory report of all supplies. They must also ensure that clients expectations are met by providing them the best service. An assistant kitchen manager needs to be customer-oriented and detail-oriented, and they must also have management skills, critical thinking skills, and organizational skills.

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Kitchen assistant manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real kitchen assistant manager resumes:

  • Manage BOH equipment and physical plant elements - including introduction and training on new equipment
  • Manage day to day culinary operations with exceptional food quality execution.
  • Help implement a BOH training program focuse on product consistency, freshness, and quality awareness.
  • Charge with the culinary development of each manager via corporate initiatives and personal interaction.
  • Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight for a full-service pizzeria.
  • Start as dishwasher doubling as bus boy when need, later promote to cook as a result of high performance reviews.
  • Start as dishwasher and earn several promotions ending in management.
  • Maintain and record food production, HACCP logs, safety records, safety training and inventory.
  • Oversee the cooks in the kitchen, making sure all safety regulations, HACCP and HIPPA regulations are being follow.
  • Order food and supplies from Sysco, whileestablishing working relationship with Sysco employees.

Kitchen assistant manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Kitchen Assistant Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Cleanliness, and Food Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Organizational skills.

We break down the percentage of Kitchen Assistant Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 15%

    Enhanced operational success and increased employee retention and productivity through effective staffing, training, and ensuring superior customer service.

  • Cleanliness, 10%

    Ensured refrigeration temperatures were accurate, maintained a general cleanliness and safety of the kitchen.

  • Food Service, 10%

    Developed reputation as an efficient food service provider with high levels of accuracy.

  • Kitchen Equipment, 7%

    Preformed opening/closing duties and cleaning and maintenance to kitchen equipment.

  • Food Handling, 7%

    Ensured compliance with all local, state and federal health, safety laws and standards for food handling and sanitation.

  • Culinary, 6%

    Charged with the culinary development of each manager via corporate initiatives and personal interaction.

Most kitchen assistant managers use their skills in "customer service," "cleanliness," and "food service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential kitchen assistant manager responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a kitchen assistant manager to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "food service managers must be courteous and attentive when dealing with patrons." Additionally, a kitchen assistant manager resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "managed operations during shifts which included decision making, staff support, guest interaction, scheduling, product quality & cleanliness. "

Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of kitchen assistant managers is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday kitchen assistant manager duties, as "managers have many different responsibilities, including scheduling and overseeing staff, budgeting, and maintaining financial records." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed a number of kitchen and organizational support duties: including menu planning, and purchasing supplies. "

Problem-solving skills. kitchen assistant manager responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "managers need to be able to resolve personnel issues and customer-related problems." This resume example shows what kitchen assistant managers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "resolved customer complaints in a professional manner while prioritizing customer satisfaction. "

Business skills. A commonly-found skill in kitchen assistant manager job descriptions, "business skills" is essential to what kitchen assistant managers do. Kitchen assistant manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "food service managers must understand all aspects of the restaurant business, including how to budget for supplies, comply with regulations, and manage workers." You can also see how kitchen assistant manager duties rely on business skills in this resume example: "analyzed and adjusted pars for food categories across the restaurant using theoretical food cost, variance reports, and business trends. "

Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to kitchen assistant manager responsibilities. Much of what a kitchen assistant manager does relies on this skill, seeing as "food service managers must give clear orders to staff and be able to convey information effectively to employees and customers." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of kitchen assistant managers: "facilitated communication between management, foh and boh. "

Most common kitchen assistant manager skills

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Compare different kitchen assistant managers

Kitchen assistant manager vs. Caterer

A caterer is responsible for monitoring food preparation and presentation, ensuring the adequacy and accuracy of food stock based on the clients' specifications and guest count. Caterers often work with clients for special occasions and events, identify their needs, including the menu and nutritional requirements. They arrange food services from the dinnerware to choosing the appropriate staff to help with assisting the food preparation in the event's location. A caterer should maintain the highest sanitary standards at all times to guarantee the foods' safety, as well as showcase communication skills when responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.

If we compare the average kitchen assistant manager annual salary with that of a caterer, we find that caterers typically earn a $10,223 lower salary than kitchen assistant managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both kitchen assistant manager and caterer positions are skilled in customer service, food service, and kitchen equipment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a kitchen assistant manager are more likely to require skills like "cleanliness," "food handling," "culinary," and "safety procedures." On the other hand, a job as a caterer requires skills like "food delivery," "banquet service," "bartending," and "buffets." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Caterers earn the highest salaries when working in the hospitality industry, with an average yearly salary of $29,992. On the other hand, kitchen assistant managers are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $41,915.caterers tend to reach similar levels of education than kitchen assistant managers. In fact, caterers are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Kitchen assistant manager vs. Food service specialist

The food service specialists monitor food preparation, ensuring that the guests get their correct orders, providing them the best dining experience and satisfaction. A food service specialist takes the guests' orders, processes their payments, and serves their orders timely and efficiently. They also monitor the stock inventories, coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors for stock requests, and assist with kitchen duties as needed, especially on high volume days. A food service specialist must have a broad knowledge of the food services industry, analyzing the current food trends to make suggestions for menus, and responding to the guests' concerns.

On average, food service specialists earn a $9,828 lower salary than kitchen assistant managers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Kitchen assistant managers and food service specialists both require similar skills like "customer service," "cleanliness," and "kitchen equipment" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, kitchen assistant manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "food service," "culinary," "safety procedures," and "labor costs." Meanwhile, a food service specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "preventive maintenance," "mos," "patients," and "servsafe." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Food service specialists may earn a lower salary than kitchen assistant managers, but food service specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $39,427. On the other hand, kitchen assistant managers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,915.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Food service specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than kitchen assistant managers. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Kitchen assistant manager vs. Shift leader

Shift leaders are tenured or experienced employees who are assigned to oversee employees in specific work shifts. They manage team members who are assigned in their shift. They also ensure that business goals are met. Shift leaders check whether team members are working, and they ensure that they always comply with company policies and guidelines. They also monitor the performance of their employees and coach them should the employees need help in any area of their work. Shift leaders should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

On average, shift leaders earn lower salaries than kitchen assistant managers, with a $5,273 difference per year.kitchen assistant managers and shift leaders both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "cleanliness," and "food service," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, kitchen assistant managers are more likely to have skills like "kitchen equipment," "food handling," "culinary," and "safety procedures." But a shift leader is more likely to have skills like "patients," "math," "cash handling," and "management."

Shift leaders earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $36,581. Kitchen assistant managers earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $41,915.Most shift leaders achieve a similar degree level compared to kitchen assistant managers. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Kitchen assistant manager vs. Bar manager/bartender

A bar manager/bartender is responsible for handling daily bar operations to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Bar manager/bartenders often interact with guests, responding to their inquiries and special requests, and immediately resolving service complaints. They also develop marketing strategies to attract guests by updating menu information and researching the latest market trends. Bar managers/bartenders also monitor inventories and stock supplies, coordinating with third-party vendors, and negotiating contracts with trusted suppliers. A bar manager/bartender must have excellent leadership skills and oversee the compliance of all staff to the bar regulations and safety standards.

Bar managers/bartender tend to earn a lower pay than kitchen assistant managers by an average of $14,063 per year.While their salaries may vary, kitchen assistant managers and bar managers/bartender both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "cleanliness," and "food service. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between kitchen assistant managers and bar managers/bartender, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a kitchen assistant manager might have more use for skills like "kitchen equipment," "food handling," "culinary," and "safety procedures." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of bar managers/bartender require skills like "wine," "bartending," "pos," and "cash handling. "

Bar managers/bartender reach similar levels of education compared to kitchen assistant managers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of kitchen assistant manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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