How To Become A Service Department Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a service department manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Most of us have probably called a contact center at least once in our lives. It might be to complain, to inquire, or even just to update details. We usually talk to customer service agents. However, when our concerns need escalation, we also get to talk with their team leaders and even their managers. It would be a very rare instance, but department managers may even be called for irate clients. This is something that customer service agents avoid at all times because Service Department Managers are busy individuals. Service Department Managers oversee the operations of the whole service delivery department.

They ensure that the service level agreements with clients are met. If these are not met, they have to think on their feet to mitigate challenges and try to achieve the target before the day ends. Service department managers also take care of manpower-related concerns. They also sign off on engagement activities and other programs. This is a big responsibility. If you have the people skills and the technical skills to be a manager, you might actually succeed in this role.

ScoreService Department ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $41,773

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 5.69%

Black or African American 9.51%

Hispanic or Latino 18.33%

Unknown 4.80%

White 61.01%

Gender

female 35.69%

male 64.31%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a service department manager

Explore service department manager education requirements

Most common service department manager degrees

Bachelor's

49.3 %

Associate

23.1 %

High School Diploma

12.5 %

Start to develop specific service department manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Food Safety	48.50%
Food Quality	42.58%
Direct Reports	1.46%
Customer Satisfaction	0.76%
Payroll	0.72%

Complete relevant service department manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service department 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 service department manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service department manager resumes.

Research service department manager duties and responsibilities

Manage service plumbers & HVAC technicians in daily operations, interview & hire new employees.
Manage parts and service department operations while consistently meeting or exceeding industry standards for profitability and CSI.
Process inventory through store computer system, POS register system and completion of all require paperwork.
Enter schedule edits into KRONOS.

Prepare your service department manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your service department 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 service department 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 service department manager resume templates

Build a professional service department 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 service department manager resume.