Planit : Job Profiles : Restaurant Manager Hospitality

A restaurant manager organises the provision, preparation and service of food in restaurants, hotels and fast food outlets, including sandwich shops and coffee bars.

The Work

You could be:

hiring, training and supervising staff, organising shifts and leading the staff as a team
working with the chef to plan the menu and decide on recipes
controlling stock and buying in supplies, including food, drink and sundry items such as napkins and condiments
planning the budget, setting sales targets and managing accounts
greeting customers, providing information on menus and dealing with problems or complaints
organising bookings for groups of all sizes including parties for adults and for children
making sure that the work done by kitchen, restaurant and bar staff meets official standards of hygiene, weights and measures and licensing laws
organising maintenance and repairs of buildings, furniture and equipment
planning marketing campaigns to meet sales targets.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

where you work
the size of company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.

Pay for an assistant manager can range from £18,000 to £23,000 a year and for a manager up to around £35,000. At the top level, in high star hotels or fine dining restaurants, managers can earn up to £45,000, sometimes more.

Conditions

You will work long hours and shifts including early mornings, late evenings, weekends and public holidays.
At certain times of the week and of the year, the work may be hectic and pressurised.
If you work for a chain you may have to provide cover at restaurants in other locations.
The work can be physically and mentally tiring.

Workforce Employment Status

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Getting In

The first step will usually be a job as assistant manager. The many routes into this work include:

a degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in hospitality management or business
a degree course usually needs 4-5 Highers for entry while an HND needs 1-2 Highers usually including English
a company management trainee programme with possible part time study to do the Institute of Hospitality Certificate or Diploma
gaining experience in restaurant work, perhaps with study for Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and then getting promotion to management.
a Modern Apprenticeship.

The restaurant trade is a growth industry. There are openings all over Scotland in restaurants, hotels and fast food outlets. Many restaurants specialise in particular types of food.

There is a big difference in the style of service and working environment between different types of restaurants, such as fine dining, hotel and fast food. As such, you would usually choose one route and stick with it.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

Scotland

2019

11424

0.8 %

RISE

2024

11513

United Kingdom

2019

124002

2.3 %

RISE

2024

126873

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need:

a smart appearance
a polite, helpful manner and good customer service skills
a flexible, hands-on attitude
assertiveness and initiative to sort out problems quickly
strong leadership and motivational qualities
excellent organisational skills
a head for business and an ability to manage a budget
strong communication skills
the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Training

Training is normally on the job.
While working you can study for the SVQ in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership at SCQF Level 7.
As a restaurant manager you may be asked to apply for a personal licence to sell alcohol. The British Institute of Innkeeping website has details of the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. See their website for more details.

Getting On

Once you are an experienced restaurant manager you might move on within a company to be a regional manager.
You might move into hotel management.
You could become self-employed and open up your own restaurant.

Video

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)
Tel: 01276 684449
E-mail: enquiries@bii.org
Website: http://www.bii.org
Twitter: @BIIandBIIAB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIIandBIIAB/

The BII is a professional body for the licensed retail sector, on or off the premises. It also has its own qualifications awarding body - the BIIAB.

Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH)
Tel: 020 7258 9850
Website: http://www.cthawards.com/
Twitter: @cthawards1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConfederationOfTourismAndHospitalityCth

Institute of Hospitality
Tel: 020 8661 4900
Website: http://www.instituteofhospitality.org
Twitter: @IoH_Online
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IoHOnline/

People 1st - Hospitality Guild
Tel: 0203 074 1222
E-mail: eqa@people1st.co.uk
Website: http://www.hospitalityguild.co.uk
Website (2): http://www.people1st.co.uk/
Twitter: @p1stgroup

People 1st is the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries. UKSP is now part of the Hospitality Guild, which provides information on careers in the hospitality and tourism industry. The website has an online 'personality' test designed to help you identify suitable careers within the above industries.

Springboard
Tel: 020 7921 0420
E-mail: info@springboarduk.org.uk
Website: http://www.careerscope.uk.net
Website (2): http://springboard.uk.net/
Twitter: @Springboard_UK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringboardUKCharity/

Springboard UK promotes career opportunities in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries.

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Planit

Restaurant Manager

The Work

Pay

Conditions

Getting In

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

What Does it Take?

Training

Getting On

Video

Contacts

Career Area

Career Sectors

Hospitality

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