As a food service manager, articulating your diverse skill set in a way that stands out to employers without overwhelming them can be a significant resume challenge. Our guide provides you with clear examples and strategies to highlight your leadership and management skills effectively, ensuring your resume is both impressive and succinct.
- Which sections do you need to include in your resume to meet recruiters' requirements;
- How to write your food service manager resume experience section - even if you have don't have little to no work experience;
- Real-life professional examples to guide you how to write the most important food service manager resume sections;
- Adding even more sections so your food service manager resume stands out with professionalism and your personality.
We've also selected some of the best (and most relevant) resume guides for the food service manager role you're applying for:
- Fine Dining Bartender Resume Example
- Hotel Bartender Resume Example
- Guest Relations Manager Resume Example
- Food and Beverage Manager Resume Example
- Front of House Manager Resume Example
- Sous Chef Resume Example
- Ice Cream Server Resume Example
- Fine Dining Resume Example
- Prep Cook Resume Example
- Reservations Manager Resume Example
Is there a correct way to format your food service manager resume?
This is a tricky question. While skimming over your resume, recruiters will be looking at your experience and the message your profile conveys. That's why your resume format needs to be clear and concise, serving to supplement and organize your experience. Professional best practices point that the best food service manager resumes:
- Follow the reverse chronological order, where the most recent experience items are presented first . This is to keep your expertise succinct and to show recruiters your career growth over the years;
- Have a clearly defined header that includes all relevant contact information and a portfolio or a LinkedIn link. In some countries, it is acceptable to include a professional photo , so that your application is more memorable;
- Feature the most important food service manager resume sections towards the top, e.g. summary, skills, and experience. That way, recruiters can immediately find information that is relevant to the role;
- Take up no more than two pages - and two pages are the exception for more experienced professionals. Keep your expertise to the point and use your food service manager resume real estate wisely .
- Selecting modern, yet simple fonts, e.g. Rubik, Lato, etc., would help your application stand out;
- Many candidates stick with the tried-and-tested Arial or Times New Roman, but you'd want your food service manager resume to be a bit more unique;
- The ATS can read all serif and sans-serif fonts, so you should avoid fancy, formal script (or cursive) fonts.
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The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.
Recruiters' preferred food service manager resume sections:
- A header with relevant contact information and headline, listing your current job title
- A resume summary or objective pinpointing what is most impressive about your expertise (that aligns with the role)
- An experience section highlighting the specifics of your responsibilities and achievements
- A skills sidebar to intertwine job advert keywords with your unique talents
- An education and certifications sections to serve as further accreditation to your professional experience
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven experience in managing food service operations, including staff management, inventory control, and menu planning.
- Strong understanding of food safety regulations and a record of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and sanitation.
- Demonstrated ability to increase sales and control costs to improve the profitability of the food service establishment.
- Excellent customer service skills with an ability to resolve conflicts and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Capability to train and motivate staff to provide exceptional food quality and presentation consistently.
Experts' advice on writing your food service manager resume experience
While the excitement and motivation for writing your food service manager resume was present in the first hour (or so), you now find yourself staring at the blank page.
The resume experience section is the one that allows you to make a memorable impression by matching job requirement with your past jobs and accomplishments.
To help you write this resume section, here are four mistakes you need to avoid:
- Listing every job you have had so far, including the irrelevant ones. Before that, consider each of your past roles based on relevancy to the role. It may be the case that the job you had 15 years ago may have taught you invaluable skills that are appropriate for the role;
- Including irrelevant work experience items. Those are past jobs that aren't linked with the role you're applying for (or so they seem). Consider how your past jobs will serve your professional presentation: will they be filling in a gap in your work history, or just taking up space?
- Focusing on responsibilities instead of accomplishments. Your food service manager resume shouldn't just be telling recruiters what you did in the past - as it's most often the case that candidates have had similar responsibilities. But, rather, the experience section should showcase the success you've attained in each past role, thanks to your unique skill set;
- Consider listing just your professional experience. Any role you've had in the past - e.g. volunteering, internships, etc. - can make it into your food service manager resume experience section. Make sure to include it alongside numbers and results.
Two more things you need to remember about your resume experience section.
The first are keywords. Or those specific job requirements that are crucial for the role . Ensure you've integrated them across your experience section to get sorted closer to the ideal candidate profile by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS).
The second are action verbs. Each of your experience bullets should start with a strong action verb, followed by your specific skill and your on the job achievements. Follow this formula to hint to recruiters what your unique value as a professional is.
Still with us? In the next section, we will show you how industry-leading professionals have avoided the four most common mistakes, while integrating keywords and action verbs in their experience section.
- Spearheaded a team of 50+ staff at a high-volume restaurant, increasing overall efficiency by 25% through the implementation of a streamlined scheduling system.
- Piloted a new customer loyalty program that boosted repeat business by 30% within the first six months of launch.
- Negotiated with suppliers to reduce ingredient costs by 15%, significantly improving the profit margin without compromising on quality.
- Led the opening of a new franchise location, coordinating between contractors, vendors, and corporate directives to ensure a successful launch.
- Improved average customer service rating by 40% by redesigning training protocols and implementing regular staff performance reviews.
- Implemented waste reduction strategies that cut down food waste by 20%, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals.
- Oversaw a 150% increase in catering event bookings by developing partnerships with local businesses and marketing our services through community events.
- Conducted a complete menu overhaul based on customer feedback and food cost analysis, leading to a 10% increase in average check size.
- Managed beverage inventory and introduced craft cocktails, resulting in a 22% uplift in beverage sales and enhancing the dining experience.
- Leveraged data analytics to optimize menu offerings, which led to the discontinuation of least profitable dishes and a focus on best-sellers.
- Coordinated the renovation of the dining area, improving customer comfort and ambiance, directly correlating to a 12% increase in patron time spent at the restaurant.
- Recruited, trained, and developed a culinary team noted for producing innovative and high-quality dishes that increased customer satisfaction.
- Managed day-to-day operations of a fast-paced urban eatery, consistently maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and kitchen efficiency.
- Introduced a local sourcing initiative that not only lowered costs by 10% but also enhanced the restaurant's image within the community.
- Facilitated a cross-training program that decreased staff turnover by 35% and strengthened team morale and versatility.
- Developed and executed a business plan for a new in-store café which outperformed sales projections by 150% in its first year.
- Designed and delivered staff training that emphasized upselling and customer engagement techniques, increasing average sales per customer by 18%.
- Cultivated relationships with local food bloggers and influencers, creating buzz and driving a consistent 20% month-over-month increase in new patrons.
- Initiated a menu optimization project analyzing dish popularity and profitability, which led to a leaner menu model and a 5% increase in kitchen productivity.
- Championed a farm-to-table concept that differentiated the establishment from competitors, resulting in a 10% uptick in new customers.
- Improved staff performance by establishing an inclusive culture that valued feedback, creativity, and recognition, reducing employee turnover by 30%.
- Directed the transition to a digital ordering system that cut customer wait times by half and increased kitchen efficiency.
- Orchestrated a seasonal promotion strategy that capitalized on local events, translating to record-breaking sales during historically slow periods.
- Overhauled vendor contracts to obtain volume discounts and better payment terms, shaving off 8% from the overhead costs annually.
- Drove the growth of a boutique bistro from a fledgling startup to a staple in the local dining scene, tripling the customer base.
- Implemented sustainable sourcing standards that aligned with the brand's commitment to environmental stewardship, attracting a niche market of eco-conscious diners.
- Orchestrated a supplier diversification strategy that ensured consistent ingredient quality and availability, mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions.
- Executed a successful rebranding initiative, including interior redesign and menu refresh, leading to a 20% increase in foot traffic.
- Pioneered a customer feedback loop that provided actionable insights, directly contributing to a sustained 25% improvement in guest satisfaction scores.
- Developed a vendor scorecard system to monitor and improve supply chain efficiency, culminating in an annual cost saving of 12%.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the percentage by which you increased customer satisfaction scores, demonstrating your focus on service quality and customer experience.
- List the number of staff you have managed or trained, indicating your leadership and team management capabilities.
- Detail the amount by which you reduced food waste, showing your commitment to cost-saving and sustainability practices.
- Highlight the specific revenue growth figures achieved under your management, showcasing your ability to drive business success.
- Quantify improvements in health inspection scores or safety ratings to reflect your attention to compliance and operational excellence.
- Mention any efficiency gains, such as reducing the average table turnover time, to reveal your operational effectiveness.
- State how much you have expanded the menu or offerings, which can highlight innovation and adaptability.
- Document any cost reductions in supply chain management, illustrating your financial acumen and ability to negotiate with vendors.
Action verbs for your food service manager resume
Experience section for candidates with zero-to-none experience
While you may have less professional experience in the field, that doesn't mean you should leave this section of your resume empty or blank.
Consider these four strategies on how to substitute the lack of experience with:
- Volunteer roles - as part of the community, you've probably gained valuable people (and sometimes even technological capabilities) that could answer the job requirements
- Research projects - while in your university days, you may have been part of some cutting-edge project to benefit the field. Curate this within your experience section as a substitute for real-world experience
- Internships - while you may consider that that summer internship in New York was solely mandatory to your degree, make sure to include it as part of your experience, if it's relevant to the role
- Irrelevant previous jobs - instead of detailing the technologies you've learned, think about the transferable skills you've gained.
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
The right balance between hard skills and soft skills for your food service manager resume
Wondering what the perfect food service manager resume looks like? The candidate's profile meets job requirements by balancing both hard skills and soft skills across their resume.
- Hard skills are all the technologies you're apt at using . Prove you have the right technical background by listing key industry hardware/software in your food service manager resume skills section and noteworthy certifications.
- Soft skills are both your personal, mindset, communication, analytical, and problem-solving talents . Use your food service manager resume achievements section to show how you've used a particular soft skill to reach a tangible outcome.
When writing about your unique skill set, always make sure to refer back to the job advert to see what are the key requirements. This ensures you've tailored your resume so that it matches closer to what the ideal candidate profile is.
Top skills for your food service manager resume:
Food safety knowledge
Inventory management
Financial management and budgeting
Menu planning
Understanding of food preparation and cooking
Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
Point of sale (POS) systems
Vendor and supply chain management
Health and safety regulations compliance
Marketing and promotion strategies
Leadership
Communication
Customer service
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Time management
Conflict resolution
Adaptability
Teamwork
Decision-making
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Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.
Maximizing your food service manager resume: education and certification sections
To effectively showcase your industry knowledge in your food service manager resume, it's important to properly list your education and certifications.
For the education section, ensure you include:
- Higher education degrees pertinent to the industry or those at a postgraduate level;
- The start and end dates of your education, along with the name of the institution you graduated from;
- Your GPA and relevant coursework, but only if they are impressive and applicable to the role.
Additionally, create a separate certifications section to spotlight your most notable recognitions. Another excellent place to feature a leading industry certificate is in your resume header, right after your name.
Below is a list of key industry certifications that are often sought after by recruiters
The top 5 certifications for your food service manager resume:
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (ServSafe Manager) - National Restaurant Association
- Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) - National Restaurant Association
- Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
- Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) - National Environmental Health Association
- Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) - Various accredited organizations
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Always remember that your food service manager certifications can be quantified across different resume sections, like your experience, summary, or objective. For example, you could include concise details within the expertise bullets of how the specific certificate has improved your on-the-job performance.
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The ideal food service manager candidate resume summary or objective
You may have heard that your resume top one-third plays an important part in your application.
It basically needs to show strong alignment with the job advert, your unique skill set, and your expertise.
Both the resume summary and resume objective could be used to ensure you've shown why you're the best candidate for the role.
Use the:
- Resume objective to pinpoint your current successes, that are applicable to the field, and your vision for your career. Remember to state how you see yourself growing within this new career opportunity.
- Resume summary as an instrument to pinpoint what is most applicable and noteworthy form your professional profile. Keep your summary to be no more than five sentences long.
At the end of the day, the resume summary or objective is your golden opportunity to shine a light on your personality as a professional and the unique value of what it's like to work with you.
Get inspired with these food service manager resume examples:
Resume summaries for a food service manager job
- With a robust background of 12 years in upscale dining management, I bring a record of increasing sales by 35% at La Belle Cuisine through innovative menu development and optimizing staff productivity. Proficient in inventory management, supply chain logistics, and fostering a customer-centric environment, ready to elevate the dining experience through meticulous oversight and strategic planning.
- Seasoned management executive pivoting into food service management, offering over a decade of expertise in team leadership and operational efficiency within the competitive retail sector. Proven success in enhancing customer satisfaction scores by 25% and slashing operational costs by 20% through the integration of cutting-edge technology solutions and vendor negotiations.
- Dynamic professional transitioning from healthcare administration to food service management, leveraging a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and staff training. Excelled in implementing cost-saving procedures that slashed annual expenses by 15%, aiming to apply analytical skills to optimize restaurant operations and elevate the client dining experience.
- As a former event coordinator with 5 years of experience, adept in logistics and customer service, my transition into food service management is fueled by a passion for creating memorable dining events. Demonstrated success in executing large-scale events for up to 300 attendees, I possess keen insights into operational streamlining, aiming to bring organizational excellence to restaurant management.
- Seeking to embark on a career in food service management, I am enthusiastic about mastering operational procedures, team leadership, and exceptional customer service. Eager to contribute a fresh perspective and a dedicated work ethic to learning the nuances of restaurant operations and support the establishment in delivering a superior dining experience.
- As a recent culinary arts graduate with a zeal for exceptional service and cuisine, I am aiming to launch my food service management journey. Intent on contributing innovative ideas, in-depth learning from academic training, and unyielding commitment to quality and efficiency, with a goal to drive operational success and customer satisfaction in a dynamic dining setting.
Additional valuable food service manager resume sections to stand out
When assessing candidate applications, recruiters are often on the lookout for elements that go beyond meeting standard requirements and technical expertise.
This is where extra sections could play a key role in showcasing your unique skill set and personality.
Make sure to include sections dedicated to:
- How you spend your free time, outside of work. The interests resume section also goes to show your personality and transferrable skills; and may also serve to fill in gaps in your experience;
- Most innovative work. The projects resume section brings focus to what you're most proud of within the field;
- How you're able to overcome language barriers. The language resume section is always nice to have, especially if communication would be a big part of your future role;
- Industry-wide recognitions. Remember that the awards resume section should highlight your most noteworthy accolades and prizes.
Key takeaways
- The format and layout of your food service manager resume should reflect on both your career and what matters most to the job you're applying for;
- Use the resume summary and objective to hint at your most prominent accomplishments;
- Always be specific about your experience and consider what value each bullet you curate adds to your food service manager application;
- Consider how your academic background and technical capabilities could further showcase your alignment to the role;
- Your soft skills should contribute to your overall food service manager profile - aligning your personality with skills and results.
