How to write a food and beverage manager job description

Hiring the wrong food and beverage manager can significantly disrupt your hospitality business, leading to lost revenue, diminished customer satisfaction, and a tarnished brand reputation. 

A well-crafted job description is crucial for attracting the right candidates for the food and beverage manager role. 

However, writing an effective food and beverage manager job description is no small feat. Specifying the need for generalized skills across food, beverage, and management – without being inundated with unqualified applicants who possess some but not all of these capabilities – is difficult. The key is balancing these general skills with your specific needs. 

In this article, we explain how to write a job description that attracts the best candidates for your food and beverage manager position.

What is a food and beverage manager?

A food and beverage manager is a professional responsible for managing all food and beverage operations within a hospitality establishment, such as a hotel, restaurant, or catering service. For larger establishments, their responsibilities may extend beyond a single dining area. 

They play a pivotal role in crafting the dining experience, meeting and exceeding customer expectations, and maintaining high standards of service and efficiency within the establishment.

Key skills to look for in food and beverage managers

Below are some key skills to look for in food and beverage manager candidates. 

Hard skills

• Industry-specific knowledge: Understanding the specific demands and trends of the sector, whether it's a restaurant, hotel, or catering service 

• Menu development: Working closely with chefs to design menus that appeal to the target demographic’s preferences and dietary needs

• Food and beverage operations: Managing the operational aspects of food and beverage service, including workflow management, service standards, and operational best practices

• Inventory management: Monitoring stock levels, ordering supplies, and minimizing waste while contributing to cost-effectiveness and environmental responsibility

• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations: Ensuring compliance with health codes, safety standards, and other industry regulations

• Financial management and budgeting: Overseeing financial health, managing budgets effectively, and making strategic decisions to enhance profitability

• Cost control: Carefully managing food and beverage costs and identifying areas where expenses can be reduced without compromising quality

• Technology proficiency: Familiarity with inventory management software and other technological tools that streamline operations

Soft skills

• Organizational skills: Managing the myriad of tasks a food and beverage manager faces daily, from scheduling to event planning, ensuring smooth operations even during peak times

• Leadership and team management: Hiring, training, and motivating staff to ensure top-notch service, plus managing conflicts and promoting a positive workplace culture

• Customer service excellence: Addressing complaints and fostering customer loyalty through personalized service and prompt problem resolution

• Communication and interpersonal skills: Collaborating with staff and suppliers and engaging with customers to gather feedback and build relationships

• Problem-solving and adaptability: Effectively addressing unforeseen challenges and adapting to evolving industry trends or customer needs

How to write an effective food and beverage manager job description 

Follow these best practices to write a solid food and beverage manager job description that attracts the right candidates and sets clear expectations for the role.

Highlight industry knowledge requirements

Be explicit about the type of hospitality establishment you're hiring for – whether it's a high-end restaurant, a bustling hotel, or a catering service. Specify the industry knowledge that's essential for success in your environment. 

For example, if your restaurant specializes in farm-to-table dining, highlight the need for a candidate with experience sourcing local ingredients and managing seasonal menus. Failing to specify this could attract candidates without the niche expertise needed, risking a mismatch in expectations.

Specify non-negotiables

Clarify what’s non-negotiable for the role. For instance, if your establishment requires the food and beverage manager to be on site during peak dining hours, including late evenings and weekends, state this explicitly. 

Also, if the role requires a certain level of physical activity, like standing for long periods or lifting heavy inventory, mention these details. 

Failing to communicate these expectations clearly can lead to new hires feeling overwhelmed or misled about the job demands, contributing to early turnover. 

Emphasize alignment with unique cultural or thematic elements

If your establishment features a distinct theme or culture, you must find a food and beverage manager who embodies and promotes these values. In a vegan restaurant, for example, highlight the need for a manager passionate about veganism and experienced in vegan dining options. 

Failing to specify this could lead to hiring someone competent in management but lacking the specific enthusiasm or knowledge to champion your brand's mission authentically, which might weaken the customer experience and your brand's distinct identity.

Food and beverage manager job description template 

Here’s a free skill-based job description template to use for your food and beverage manager role.

Company Introduction

Begin with a concise overview of your dining establishment, mentioning its name, key culinary specialties, and the range of menu items offered. Also, showcase any notable accomplishments or recognition, like Michelin stars, that distinguish your establishment from others in the culinary world.

Benefits of working with [your company]

Outline the advantages of being part of your team. This includes comprehensive health coverage, retirement savings plans, flexible scheduling options, personal days, and perks like meal and beverage discounts for family members.

Food and beverage manager job brief

[Company name]

Job title: [Food and Beverage Manager]

Reports to: [For example, General Manager]

Position type: [Full-time or part-time]

Location: [Address, city, state, zip code (*note if the role involves multiple locations and requires frequent travel between them)]

Salary: [Salary details]

Responsibilities and duties

• Develop, implement, and evaluate food and beverage menus in collaboration with the culinary team to cater to customer preferences and dietary needs.

• Oversee the daily operations of our food and beverage units, ensuring smooth and efficient service delivery.

• Hire, train, and manage staff, fostering a team environment that emphasizes quality service and customer satisfaction.

• Ensure customer satisfaction by engaging with guests, gathering feedback, and implementing improvements to dining experiences.

• Maintain quality and hygiene standards across all operations, rigorously ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

• Manage inventory and supply orders efficiently, optimizing stock levels to meet operational needs without excessive waste.

• Control costs and manage budgets, implementing measures to enhance the profitability of food and beverage services while maintaining quality.

Skills and qualifications

Required skills and experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience or credentials)

• Prior work experience in a similar establishment

• Proven experience in food and beverage management, including menu development, inventory management, and financial reporting

• Strong knowledge of local food safety and hygiene regulations

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to train and motivate staff

Preferred skills and experience:

• Master’s degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field

• Food safety credentials (e.g., ServSafe certification)

• Proficiency using inventory management software (e.g., MarketMan, BevSpot) 

• Budgeting and financial management skills, with a track record of improving service profitability

3 things to avoid when writing a job description for food and beverage managers

When crafting a job description for a food and beverage manager, avoid these common pitfalls that can lead to attracting the wrong candidates or miscommunicating the role's demands. 

1. Overlooking the significance of soft skills

Soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability are crucial for a food and beverage manager, who must navigate customer interactions, lead a diverse team, and respond to unexpected challenges. Neglecting these skills may lead you to hire individuals who excel in technical aspects but struggle with the interpersonal dynamics critical to hospitality management.

2. Skipping specifics about financial expertise

Creative industries like hospitality often overlook the ability to manage budgets, control costs, and understand financial reports. In reality, these abilities are crucial for optimizing the profitability of food and beverage operations. A job description that doesn’t emphasize these financial management skills may attract candidates unprepared to handle the economic responsibilities of the role.

Ignoring local regulatory knowledge

Understanding local health codes and regulatory requirements is essential for a food and beverage manager to ensure compliance and maintain the establishment's reputation. Failing to specify this need might result in you hiring a manager unfamiliar with the local regulations – risking potential fines or closures.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing food and beverage manager candidates 

Creating a detailed job description is the first step in attracting qualified candidates for your food and beverage manager position. However, to ensure you're hiring a candidate who truly fits the role's demands, you must properly assess their skills before hiring them. 

TestGorilla is a talent assessment platform that offers various tests for food and beverage managers. Use these tests to assess applicants across multiple dimensions before you make an offer. 

Role-specific skills assessments 

The Restaurant Management test looks at a candidate’s: 

• Operational expertise

• Staff management skills

• Knowledge in food and safety standards

• Financial management experience

• Ability to create a positive customer experience 

• TestGorilla’s Business Operations Management test evaluates a candidate’s ability to plan, organize, and manage your establishment’s operations, including inventory and supply chain management. 

• Our Budgeting test examines if applicants are effective at establishing financial needs, monitoring budgets, and controlling costs.

Cognitive ability tests

• The Critical Thinking and Problem Solving tests can help you understand a candidate's ability to analyze situations, adapt quickly, make informed decisions, and implement effective solutions.

Situational judgment evaluations

• TestGorilla’s Communication skills test assesses candidates’ abilities in listening actively, interpreting non-verbal cues, using professional etiquette, and summarizing information accurately. 

• Our Leadership and People Management test checks if candidates can delegate effectively, influence others, provide feedback, and support team development. 

Personality and culture tests

• Personality and culture tests assess whether a candidate's personal values, work style, and behavior align with your restaurant's culture and team dynamics. 

To create a customized talent assessment for your food and beverage manager applicants, combine as many as five of these tests into a single assessment. Add your own custom questions to personalize your assessments even more. This way, you can find the perfect food and beverage manager for your establishment.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a food and beverage manager and a restaurant manager?

There’s significant overlap between these roles. 

A restaurant manager focuses on the daily operations of a single restaurant, with tasks centered around restaurant staff management, customer service, and delivery of high service standards within that specific dining environment. 

A food and beverage manager oversees all food and beverage operations, sometimes within larger hospitality settings where they manage multiple dining outlets. Their role involves strategic planning, operational management, and comprehensive inventory management. 

What is the average salary for a food and beverage manager? 

The average salary for a food and beverage manager varies depending on the business's nature and size, with larger establishments typically offering higher compensation due to the increased complexity and scope of responsibilities. According to Indeed, the average salary for a food and beverage manager in the United States as of February 2024 is $60,694 per year. 

Hiring the best food and beverage managers with TestGorilla

Finding the ideal food and beverage manager is crucial to ensuring seamless operations, stellar customer service, and overall success in your hospitality business. A well-crafted job description should highlight the unique aspects of the food and beverage manager role while drawing in candidates who are the best fit for your establishment's specific needs.

Once you've attracted a pool of applicants, you can thoroughly assess their suitability for the role using talent assessments. TestGorilla offers an extensive range of tests to evaluate candidates' industry-specific skills, leadership abilities, soft skills, cognitive aptitude, and more.

Use TestGorilla to create a custom talent assessment – which can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of each applicant's potential for this high-stakes position.

Register for a free account or opt for a 30-minute live demo to explore how TestGorilla can enhance your recruitment process.