Top 12 Restaurant Manager Skills to Put on Your Resume
In today's competitive hospitality industry, having a standout resume is crucial for aspiring restaurant managers. Highlighting the top skills that showcase your ability to efficiently manage operations, lead teams, and enhance customer satisfaction is key to catching the eye of potential employers and advancing your career in restaurant management.
Restaurant Manager Skills
- POS Systems
- Inventory Management
- Staff Training
- Customer Service
- Scheduling Software
- Financial Reporting
- Health Code Compliance
- Conflict Resolution
- Menu Development
- OpenTable
- Marketing Strategies
- Safety Protocols
1. POS Systems
A POS (Point of Sale) system for a restaurant is a digital solution that manages sales, payments, orders, and inventory, streamlining operations, enhancing customer service, and providing real-time data for better decision-making.
Why It's Important
POS (Point of Sale) systems are crucial for restaurant managers as they streamline the ordering, billing, and inventory management processes, enhance customer service by speeding up transactions, and provide valuable sales data to make informed business decisions.
How to Improve POS Systems Skills
Improving POS systems for a restaurant manager involves enhancing efficiency, security, user experience, and integration capabilities. Here are succinct strategies:
Upgrade to Cloud-Based Systems: Transition to a cloud-based POS for real-time data access, streamlined operations, and improved data security.
Integrate with Other Systems: Ensure your POS integrates seamlessly with inventory management, accounting software, and online ordering platforms. Square offers comprehensive integration options.
Enhance Mobile Compatibility: Adopt mobile POS solutions to increase tableside ordering and payment efficiency. Toast specializes in mobile POS for restaurants.
Improve Security Measures: Implement advanced security features, including end-to-end encryption and tokenization, to protect customer information. Verifone provides secure payment solutions.
Offer Training and Support: Regularly train staff on POS features and provide access to 24/7 customer support to swiftly address issues. Lightspeed is known for its extensive support and training resources.
Utilize Data Analytics: Leverage POS data analytics for insights into sales trends, inventory management, and customer preferences to make informed decisions. Shopify POS offers detailed analytics and reporting tools.
Focus on User Experience: Opt for a POS with an intuitive interface to reduce training time and improve transaction speed. Revel Systems focuses on the user experience with an easy-to-navigate interface.
By focusing on these areas, restaurant managers can significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of their POS systems, leading to improved customer satisfaction and business growth.
How to Display POS Systems Skills on Your Resume
2. Inventory Management
Inventory management for a restaurant manager involves tracking and controlling the restaurant's stock of food, beverages, and supplies to ensure there are always enough ingredients for menu items, minimize waste, and manage costs effectively.
Why It's Important
Inventory management is crucial for a restaurant manager because it ensures optimal stock levels, reduces food waste, controls costs, and maintains food quality, ultimately leading to increased profitability and customer satisfaction.
How to Improve Inventory Management Skills
Improving inventory management in a restaurant setting involves adopting strategies that ensure efficient tracking, ordering, and use of stock to reduce waste and cost while ensuring the availability of ingredients. Here are concise steps:
Implement an Inventory Management System: Adopt a digital inventory management system designed for restaurants, which can track stock levels in real time, forecast demand, and automate reordering. TouchBistro and Toast offer solutions tailored for restaurant needs.
Conduct Regular Audits: Schedule regular physical inventory checks to validate the accuracy of your inventory management system. This helps identify discrepancies and areas of loss or waste. The National Restaurant Association provides insights on inventory basics.
Train Your Staff: Ensure all staff members are trained on proper inventory handling procedures, from storage to portion control, to minimize waste and theft. WebstaurantStore offers guidelines on creating training manuals.
FIFO Method (First In, First Out): Organize your inventory to use older stock first to reduce spoilage. This method is especially crucial for perishable items. The FIFO method is widely recommended for inventory management.
Negotiate with Suppliers: Build strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate for better prices or bulk discounts. Also, consider local sourcing to reduce costs and ensure freshness. Restaurant.org offers negotiation strategies.
Monitor and Adapt Your Menu: Analyze inventory usage against menu popularity to adjust menu items or ingredients, aiming to reduce waste and focus on high-margin dishes. Menu Engineering is a strategic approach to this.
Leverage Technology for Forecasting: Use your inventory management system's data analytics to forecast future demand based on historical data, helping to adjust your inventory levels more accurately. Software Advice outlines forecasting techniques.
By implementing these strategies, restaurant managers can significantly improve their inventory management, leading to reduced costs, minimized waste, and increased profitability.
How to Display Inventory Management Skills on Your Resume
3. Staff Training
Staff training for a restaurant manager involves educating and instructing the restaurant team on operational procedures, customer service, food safety, and company policies to ensure efficient service, compliance, and enhanced dining experiences.
Why It's Important
Staff training is crucial for a restaurant manager as it ensures employees are skilled, efficient, and knowledgeable about safety and service standards, directly enhancing customer satisfaction, reducing mistakes, and fostering a positive work environment, ultimately leading to increased profitability and reputation.
How to Improve Staff Training Skills
Improving staff training in a restaurant setting involves a few key strategies that focus on efficiency, engagement, and continuous improvement. Here’s a concise guide:
Interactive Training: Utilize interactive training techniques such as role-playing and hands-on demonstrations to keep staff engaged and improve retention of information.
Online Learning Platforms: Implement online learning platforms that offer courses relevant to the hospitality industry, allowing staff to learn at their own pace and convenience.
Regular Feedback: Establish a system of regular feedback and performance reviews, encouraging open communication and opportunities for improvement.
Cross-Training: Promote cross-training among staff to diversify their skills and improve adaptability within your team.
Stay Updated: Keep abreast of the latest industry trends and train staff on new technologies, menu items, and customer service practices to stay competitive.
By focusing on these strategies, restaurant managers can develop a highly skilled, motivated, and adaptable workforce.
How to Display Staff Training Skills on Your Resume
4. Customer Service
Customer service in the context of a restaurant manager involves managing staff to ensure that diners receive prompt, friendly, and efficient service, handling complaints and feedback graciously, and ensuring the overall dining experience meets or exceeds customer expectations.
Why It's Important
Customer service is crucial for a restaurant manager because it directly influences customer satisfaction, repeat business, and word-of-mouth referrals, which are vital for the restaurant's reputation and long-term success.
How to Improve Customer Service Skills
Improving customer service in a restaurant involves several key strategies aimed at enhancing the overall dining experience. Here's a concise guide for a Restaurant Manager:
Train Staff: Ensure your team is well-trained in customer service skills. Focus on communication, problem-solving, and efficiency. Toast offers insights on effective restaurant staff training.
Gather Feedback: Actively seek out and listen to customer feedback. Tools like SurveyMonkey can help gather insights directly from your customers.
Implement Technology: Use technology to streamline ordering, reservations, and feedback processes. OpenTable is a great example for managing reservations.
Personalize Experience: Strive to personalize the dining experience for repeat customers, making them feel valued. The National Restaurant Association offers strategies for enhancing customer experience.
Respond Promptly: Address complaints and feedback promptly and professionally, showing customers their opinions matter.
By focusing on these areas, a Restaurant Manager can significantly improve customer service, ensuring guests leave satisfied and are more likely to return.
How to Display Customer Service Skills on Your Resume
5. Scheduling Software
Scheduling software for a restaurant manager is a digital tool designed to organize and manage employees' work shifts, ensuring optimal staffing levels for efficient restaurant operation.
Why It's Important
Scheduling software is crucial for a restaurant manager because it streamlines staff scheduling, reduces labor costs, ensures optimal staff allocation during peak hours, and improves overall operational efficiency.
How to Improve Scheduling Software Skills
To improve scheduling software for a restaurant manager, focus on the following aspects:
User-Friendly Interface: Ensure the software is easy to navigate for quick scheduling and adjustments. Square offers intuitive designs.
Integration Capabilities: The software should integrate seamlessly with other systems like payroll, POS, and HR management for streamlined operations. Toast POS excels in this area.
Real-Time Updates: Implement real-time adjustments to accommodate last-minute changes, ensuring staff and management are always informed. 7shifts provides effective real-time communication.
Accessibility: Use cloud-based software that can be accessed from any device, allowing managers and staff to view their schedules anytime, anywhere. When I Work is highly accessible.
Compliance Tracking: Include features for tracking labor laws compliance, such as overtime and breaks, to avoid legal issues. Deputy helps with compliance management.
Forecasting Tools: Incorporate analytics and forecasting tools to predict staffing needs based on historical data, helping to optimize labor costs. HotSchedules offers robust forecasting features.
By focusing on these key improvements, scheduling software can become more efficient and effective for restaurant managers, enhancing overall operational flow.
How to Display Scheduling Software Skills on Your Resume
6. Financial Reporting
Financial reporting for a restaurant manager involves preparing and presenting accurate financial statements and summaries, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, that reflect the restaurant's financial performance and position, enabling informed decision-making and financial management.
Why It's Important
Financial reporting is crucial for a Restaurant Manager because it provides a clear picture of the restaurant's financial health, enabling informed decisions on budgeting, cost control, and profitability strategies. It also ensures compliance with legal requirements and aids in securing investments or loans.
How to Improve Financial Reporting Skills
Improving financial reporting in a restaurant setting involves enhancing accuracy, timeliness, and analysis. Here’s a concise guide for a Restaurant Manager:
Implement an Integrated POS System: Utilize a Point of Sale (POS) system that integrates with accounting software for real-time financial data collection and reporting.
Standardize Procedures: Adopt consistent accounting practices for recording transactions, tracking expenses, and managing inventory to ensure data reliability.
Automate Processes: Leverage financial software to automate routine tasks like payroll, invoicing, and bill payments, reducing errors and saving time.
Regular Reconciliation: Conduct weekly or monthly financial reconciliations to catch and correct discrepancies early.
Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Utilize tools for financial analysis to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Embrace forecasting to anticipate future financial needs or challenges.
Educate and Train Staff: Invest in training for yourself and your management team on financial reporting and analysis to improve understanding and decision-making.
Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a restaurant financial advisor for specialized guidance on optimizing your financial reporting processes.
Adopting these practices will help improve the accuracy, efficiency, and usefulness of financial reporting in your restaurant.
How to Display Financial Reporting Skills on Your Resume
7. Health Code Compliance
Health Code Compliance for a Restaurant Manager involves ensuring that the restaurant adheres to local, state, and federal health regulations and guidelines to maintain a safe and sanitary environment for both customers and employees. This includes proper food handling, storage, cleanliness, and employee hygiene practices.
Why It's Important
Health code compliance is crucial for a restaurant manager as it ensures the safety and well-being of customers by preventing foodborne illnesses, maintains the restaurant's reputation and trustworthiness, and avoids legal penalties and closures due to violations.
How to Improve Health Code Compliance Skills
Improving health code compliance in a restaurant involves a multifaceted approach focusing on training, cleanliness, and regular audits. Here are concise steps a restaurant manager can take:
Educate Staff: Conduct regular training sessions on food safety and health standards. Utilize resources from ServSafe for comprehensive training materials.
Implement a Cleaning Schedule: Ensure cleanliness by creating and strictly adhering to a daily cleaning schedule. The FDA's Food Code provides guidelines on sanitation requirements.
Regular Health Inspections: Conduct regular, internal health inspections using the checklists similar to the ones used by your local health department. Familiarize yourself with these through your local health department's website.
Stay Updated: Keep abreast with the latest health regulations by regularly visiting websites like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FoodSafety.gov.
Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where staff can report potential health violations without fear of retribution. This proactive approach can help address issues before they escalate.
By focusing on education, cleanliness, regular self-audits, staying informed on regulations, and encouraging open communication, restaurant managers can significantly improve health code compliance and ensure a safer dining experience for their customers.
How to Display Health Code Compliance Skills on Your Resume
8. Conflict Resolution
Conflict Resolution for a Restaurant Manager involves the process of identifying, addressing, and resolving disputes or disagreements among staff, customers, or between staff and customers, to maintain a positive dining experience and a harmonious work environment.
Why It's Important
Conflict resolution is crucial for a Restaurant Manager to maintain a harmonious working environment, ensure efficient service, and provide a pleasant dining experience for customers, ultimately safeguarding the restaurant's reputation and profitability.
How to Improve Conflict Resolution Skills
Improving conflict resolution, especially for a restaurant manager, involves several key steps aimed at effectively addressing and resolving disputes. Here are concise strategies:
Active Listening: Ensure you fully understand both sides of the conflict by listening attentively. This helps in identifying the root cause of the disagreement. MindTools provides excellent tips on active listening.
Clear Communication: Communicate your thoughts and solutions clearly and without ambiguity. The American Management Association offers guidelines on effective communication.
Empathy: Demonstrating understanding and empathy towards all parties involved can facilitate a more amicable resolution. Verywell Mind explains how to practice empathy in relationships.
Problem-Solving: Approach the conflict with a problem-solving attitude, focusing on finding a solution that is acceptable to all parties. The Harvard Business Review discusses strategies for solving complex problems.
Mediation Skills: Sometimes, bringing in a neutral third party can help resolve disputes more effectively. Learn more about mediation skills at Mediate.com.
Follow-Up: After resolving the conflict, follow up with all parties involved to ensure the resolution has been effective and to prevent future conflicts. MindTools offers insight into why follow-ups are crucial.
By implementing these strategies, a restaurant manager can improve their conflict resolution skills, leading to a more positive and productive working environment.
How to Display Conflict Resolution Skills on Your Resume
9. Menu Development
Menu development is the process a restaurant manager undertakes to create, test, and refine the selection of dishes and beverages offered to customers, ensuring it aligns with the restaurant's concept, target market, operational capabilities, and financial goals. This involves considering factors such as ingredient availability, culinary trends, and customer preferences to design a menu that enhances dining experience, drives sales, and maximizes profitability.
Why It's Important
Menu development is crucial for a restaurant manager as it directly influences customer satisfaction, determines the operational efficiency, and significantly impacts the profitability of the restaurant by aligning offerings with market demand and cost structures.
How to Improve Menu Development Skills
Improving menu development involves a strategic approach to align your offerings with customer preferences, operational efficiency, and profitability. Here are concise steps for a restaurant manager to enhance menu development:
Analyze Sales Data: Use your POS system to track and analyze which dishes are performing well and which aren't. This insight helps in focusing on what customers prefer. Toast offers insights on menu engineering.
Understand Your Audience: Tailor your menu to your target demographic's preferences. Conduct surveys or use social media to gather feedback about your current menu and what your customers would like to see. SurveyMonkey is a useful tool for creating customer surveys.
Competitor Analysis: Regularly review your competitors’ menus. This can provide inspiration and help you identify gaps in your own menu or areas for innovation. Yelp can be useful to see competitors' offerings and customer reviews.
Seasonality and Sourcing: Incorporate seasonal ingredients for freshness and cost savings. Build relationships with local suppliers for unique or high-quality ingredients. The Seasonal Food Guide can help you plan your menu around seasonal produce.
Menu Design: Your menu’s layout and design significantly impact customer choices. Use principles of menu engineering to highlight profitable and popular items. Canva Canva’s Menu Maker offers easy-to-use design tools.
Test and Feedback: Before a full rollout, test new items on a small scale and gather customer feedback. This could be through specials or tasting events. OpenTable offers advice on gathering customer feedback.
Cost Analysis: Ensure each menu item is priced correctly to cover costs and achieve desired profit margins. Utilize recipe costing tools to accurately price dishes. APICBASE offers menu engineering and costing software.
Training Staff: Educate your staff on the new menu items, including ingredients, preparation methods, and the story behind each dish. This enhances the dining experience and can encourage upselling. Typsy provides online training for hospitality staff.
By following these steps and utilizing the recommended tools, restaurant managers can develop a more appealing, efficient, and profitable menu.
How to Display Menu Development Skills on Your Resume
10. OpenTable
OpenTable is a real-time online reservation platform that allows restaurant managers to manage bookings, streamline operations, and enhance guest experiences by providing tools for table management, guest management, and marketing insights.
Why It's Important
OpenTable is important for a Restaurant Manager because it streamlines reservation management, enhances guest experience, and boosts visibility in the competitive dining market.
How to Improve OpenTable Skills
To improve OpenTable for a Restaurant Manager, consider these concise strategies:
Optimize Profile: Ensure your restaurant's OpenTable profile is complete and appealing with high-quality photos and an accurate, enticing description. OpenTable Profile Tips
Leverage Marketing Tools: Utilize OpenTable's marketing tools to reach new customers and promote special offers or events. This can increase visibility and bookings. Marketing Tools
Manage Reviews Proactively: Regularly monitor and respond to reviews to show that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving the dining experience. Managing Reviews
Utilize Data Insights: Use OpenTable’s analytics to understand customer preferences, booking patterns, and dining trends to make informed decisions. Analytics Suite
Improve Guest Management: Enhance guest management by personalizing the dining experience based on the data collected through OpenTable, such as special occasions or dietary preferences. Guest Management
Training Staff: Ensure your staff is fully trained on using OpenTable’s features efficiently, enhancing service speed and guest satisfaction. OpenTable Training
By implementing these strategies, restaurant managers can optimize their use of OpenTable, leading to improved customer satisfaction, increased efficiency, and potentially higher revenue.
How to Display OpenTable Skills on Your Resume
11. Marketing Strategies
Marketing strategies for a restaurant manager involve creating plans to promote the restaurant, attract and retain customers, and increase revenue. This includes identifying target audiences, leveraging social media and online reviews, offering promotions, creating a unique brand identity, and ensuring exceptional customer service.
Why It's Important
Marketing strategies are crucial for a restaurant manager as they help attract new customers, retain existing ones, increase brand awareness, and differentiate the restaurant in a competitive market. This leads to increased sales and sustained business growth.
How to Improve Marketing Strategies Skills
Improving marketing strategies for a restaurant manager involves a mix of digital and traditional methods to attract and retain customers. Focus on the following steps:
Leverage Social Media: Utilize platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your restaurant's ambiance, dishes, and special events. Engage with your audience through regular posts, stories, and interactive content.
Optimize Your Website: Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and updated with your latest menu, promotions, and contact information. Include an online reservation system for convenience.
Implement Email Marketing: Collect email addresses through your website or in-person to send out newsletters, promotions, and updates. Use services like Mailchimp to manage your campaigns efficiently.
Encourage Online Reviews: Positive reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google My Business can significantly influence potential customers. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and respond professionally to any negative feedback.
Offer Promotions and Loyalty Programs: Create special offers and loyalty programs to encourage repeat business. Promote these deals through your social media channels and email marketing to ensure your customers are aware.
Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with nearby businesses or influencers to expand your reach. Consider co-hosting events or offering joint promotions to tap into each other's customer base.
Utilize Local SEO: Make sure your restaurant appears in local search results by optimizing your local SEO. This includes accurately listing your business on Google My Business, including location-specific keywords on your website, and building local backlinks.
Implementing these strategies requires consistent effort and adaptation to what best resonates with your target audience. Regularly review your marketing performance and be ready to adjust tactics to improve your restaurant's visibility and attractiveness to customers.
How to Display Marketing Strategies Skills on Your Resume
12. Safety Protocols
Safety protocols for a restaurant manager are guidelines and procedures designed to ensure the health and safety of both staff and customers. These include food safety practices, sanitation, emergency response, and compliance with local health regulations.
Why It's Important
Safety protocols in a restaurant are crucial for ensuring the well-being of both employees and customers by minimizing the risk of accidents, foodborne illnesses, and other health hazards. They also help in complying with legal standards and maintaining the establishment's reputation.
How to Improve Safety Protocols Skills
Improving safety protocols in a restaurant involves a proactive approach to identifying potential hazards, training staff, and ensuring compliance with local health and safety regulations. Here are concise steps for a restaurant manager to enhance safety protocols:
Assess and Identify Risks: Conduct regular safety audits to identify potential hazards in the kitchen, dining area, and any other part of the restaurant. The National Restaurant Association provides guidelines for conducting safety audits.
Develop a Safety Plan: Create a comprehensive safety plan that includes emergency procedures, equipment handling instructions, and sanitation practices. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers resources for developing a restaurant safety plan.
Train Employees: Provide regular training sessions on safety practices, emergency response, and health guidelines. Ensure all new hires are trained before starting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has training resources for restaurant workers.
Communicate and Enforce Safety Protocols: Clearly communicate safety protocols to all staff members. Post safety information and emergency procedures in visible areas. Enforce rules consistently to ensure compliance.
Stay Updated on Regulations: Keep up-to-date with local public health guidelines and industry best practices. Regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provide updates on food safety regulations.
Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Encourage staff to report safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Regularly review and adjust safety protocols based on feedback and new information.
By following these steps, a restaurant manager can significantly improve safety protocols, ensuring a safer environment for both employees and customers.
How to Display Safety Protocols Skills on Your Resume
