Being a restaurant manager is no easy feat. It’s one of the toughest, most important jobs in the industry, because you are responsible for a lot of different moving pieces. Without the right supervisor or shift manager in place, a restaurant can quickly become chaotic and unproductive. But how do you go about finding the right person for the job?
In this article, we’ll give you an insider’s guide to finding and hiring the best food service supervisor for your restaurant. We’ll cover everything from where to look and what to look for to how to create a job listing that will attract top candidates.
What do food service supervisors do?
When it comes to running a successful restaurant, having the right staff in place is essential. The food service supervisor—often called the shift manager or dining room supervisor—is a key part of this equation, overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, ensuring that customers have a great experience and that staff are supported.
So what, exactly, does a food service supervisor do? Generally speaking, their job responsibilities include:
- Scheduling shifts for staff, coordinating meal breaks and assigning tasks
- Managing inventory, ordering supplies and controlling operational costs
- Hiring and training new staff members
- Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations
- Monitoring customer satisfaction
- Supporting the general manager in overseeing daily operations
- Ensuring customer orders are accurate, served in a timely manner, and up to the standards of your brand.
Simply put, it’s the food service supervisor’s job to make sure that operations are running smoothly during their shift and that patrons are satisfied with their experience.
Qualifications and Certifications Needed
Finding a food service supervisor that fits well within your restaurant staff is key to your restaurant’s success. A good FSS or shift manager should have a mix of qualities that make them suitable for the role.
First and foremost, they should have excellent interpersonal and leadership skills. They must be able to motivate and direct their team while managing customer expectations. They also need to be effective communicators, highly organized, and able to problem solve in the moment.
On the technical side, your FSS or shift manager should have experience in the food service industry, as well as relevant certifications. Their knowledge of labor laws, health guidelines, and safety protocols is essential for making sure your restaurant maintains compliance.
Ultimately, when it comes to finding the right restaurant staff member for a supervisory role, you want someone who brings both the qualifications and experience necessary to lead with confidence and efficiency.
Tips on How to Attract the Best Talent
Are you looking for a food service supervisor or shift manager to join your restaurant’s team? With the right person, you can rest assured your restaurant will be in good hands and given the opportunity to grow. To help you attract the best talent, here are a few tips.
- Fair and Competitive Wages
A food service supervisor has an important job — they oversee the day-to-day operations of your restaurant and its staff. So, one way to attract top talent is by offering competitive wages. Make sure the wage is fair for the role, and don’t forget to offer benefits if you can — this can go a long way towards finding quality candidates.
- Use Job Boards
Looking for a food service supervisor doesn’t have to be difficult. Take advantage of job boards like Indeed or Craigslist — they’re great resources when it comes to finding qualified candidates. You can also use online job search engines like ZipRecruiter or Glassdoor to find possible matches faster.
- Networking Opportunities
Networking is an important part of finding the right person for your restaurant team. Reach out to any contacts you have in the industry — ask them if they know any qualified people who might be interested in working with you. You never know who might be able to help!
Finding the Right Fit for Your Restaurant Culture
Your restaurant’s culture is just as important as the supervisor’s qualifications, so when it comes to filling your food service supervisor position, you should be sure to look for someone who can fit in.
A good match should have the right attitude and personality that you’re looking for—a shift manager is more than just a title; it’s a role model that sets the tone for your restaurant and its staff.
So how do you find a shift manager who can represent your restaurant in the best way? Here are some tips:
- Have clearly defined expectations and job responsibilities: Be sure to clearly articulate expectations of what you want from this role so potential candidates know what they’re getting into.
- Use structured interviews: Ask questions that help you get a sense of who a candidate really is beyond their resume; assess whether they have the qualities your restaurant needs.
- Check references: Make sure to double-check references to find out what others have experienced working with them before hiring.
- Observe them in action: Have prospective supervisors spend time shadowing other shift managers, or even current staff, to get an idea of how they handle themselves on a day-to-day basis.
By taking these steps, you can make sure that you find the right fit for your restaurant culture—someone who not only has the necessary qualifications, but also helps bring out the best in everyone around them!
Tips to Hire a Foreign Candidate via the LMIA Process – For All Roles
What is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA, is an official permit or a document that empowers the Canadian employer to hire a skilled foreign worker legally into their company or business.
A positive LMIA determines a strong need for a skilled foreign worker to fill the vacancy. Furthermore, it also denotes that no other Canadian worker or Canada PR Visa Holder is available or capable of doing that job.
Steps to take when hiring a foreign candidate via the LMIA process:
1. Job Bank Campaign for Recruiting Foreign Candidates:
The first step is to register with Canada’s Job Bank and create a job campaign to find foreign applicants for your open positions. This will give you access to potential candidates from around the world.
2. Interviewing Candidates Virtually for the LMIA Process:
Once you have identified suitable candidates, you can begin the virtual interviewing process. This involves conducting interviews over platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, etc., to ensure that the candidate is suitable for the position.
3. Reference Checks and Immigration Eligibility Requirements:
Once the virtual interviews are complete, you should conduct background checks on the candidates. This includes checking the candidate’s references and confirming their immigration eligibility requirements.
4. Submitting the LMIA Application:
Once the background checks are complete, you can submit the LMIA application. This will be reviewed by the government to determine whether or not the foreign candidate is suitable for the position.
5. Applying for and Obtaining a Canadian Work Permit:
Once the LMIA application is approved, you can then apply for and obtain a Canadian work permit for the foreign candidate.
Conclusion
Overall, hiring the right food service supervisor is a crucial decision that can shape your restaurant’s success and longevity. It is important to vet the candidates thoroughly, and to prioritize experience, flexibility, and customer service skills when screening potential employees. Additionally, it is important to consider the cultural fit and potential of each candidate.
The right food service supervisor can create a great customer dining experience, and ensure that your restaurant runs smoothly. Taking the time to find the right supervisor is essential for any restaurant to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing industry.