The food service industry projected $899 billion in sales for 2020. This industry includes establishments that serve food to people outside the home, such as restaurants, cafeterias, catering companies, hotels, and assisted living facilities. Among all of these businesses, restaurants employ 15.6 million workers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that a food service manager’s median annual salary was $55,320 as of May 2019. Food service managers are quick on their feet and handle the daily operations of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food to the public.
If this sounds like a career you want to pursue, keep reading to find out more about food service management jobs and the certifications that will help you land the role you want.
What Is a Food Service Manager?
Food service managers are responsible for supervising the operations of the establishments they work in. Their job includes planning the menu, assigning workload to staff, and maintaining health and sanitation. Food service managers also account for the expenses of the operations, as well as oversee the purchase of supplies and ingredients.
Food Service Manager Duties and Responsibilities
Food service managers plan, coordinate, and run the operations of food establishments, which involves:
- Hiring and supervising the training process of staff members
- Scheduling, assigning workload, and monitoring staff performance
- Ensuring health and safety regulations are followed
- Auditing inventory
- Tracking expenses and earnings
- Evaluating menu selection and preparation procedures
- Adjusting procedures and prices when necessary
- Resolving customer complaints
- Dealing with suppliers
- Negotiating with clients for catering or use of facilities for banquets or receptions
How to Become a Food Service Manager
A high school diploma and several years of work experience in the industry can land you a food service manager job. You’ll be pleased to know that 9 out of 10 restaurant managers started in entry-level positions and worked their way up. If you don’t have years of experience under your belt, you should take advantage of food service management programs with on-the-job training to develop your skills. An internship will also help you gain familiarity with the industry.
Although most establishments don’t require a bachelor’s degree, upscale restaurants and hotels prefer to hire managers with formal education. If it’s your goal to work in these types of establishments, you may want to check postsecondary programs in restaurant and hospitality management. These are offered by colleges, universities, and technical institutes.
Food Service Manager Certifications to Consider
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification covers basic food handling and safety topics. It also focuses on managerial topics, such as employee training and food safety management systems. ServSafe has been a leader in food safety training and certification since 1919.
You’ll be getting the food manager certification from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). ServSafe credentials are popular because they’re nationally recognized and accredited by licensing and regulatory agencies.
Certified Professional — Food Safety Credential
Certified Professional — Food Safety Credential holders work at various retail food establishments. They are employed as quality control managers, facility managers, food-safe chemical suppliers, and even as inspectors. A certified food protection manager makes facility plan reviews, assesses Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, and understands the causes and prevention of foodborne illnesses. These individuals also evaluate and enforce sanitation standard operating procedures.
Both the training courses and certification program were developed by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) in response to the need for professionals who are experts in the protection and safety of food. This credential is a good next step for food handlers who want to advance their careers in food safety.
To earn the credential, applicants must meet rigorous education and work experience guidelines, submit a formal application and accompanying fees, take the course, and — upon acceptance of your application — pass the CP-FS exam.
Certified Professional Food Manager
The Certified Professional Food Manager credential was developed for food management professionals in the food service industry to prepare them in managing food safety risks. The program, offered by the NEHA, also focuses on food safety best practices.
Students of this program will receive the certification after passing an exam approved by the American National Standards Institute and Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP). The exam will cover food safety best practices, the FDA Food Code, food safety management, food manager training, contaminant identification and avoidance, reportable diseases, and inspections — among other topics.
Food Safety Manager
Consider the Food Safety Manager training if you want to take the ANSI-CFP Food Protection Manager Certification Exam. This training covers the prevention and causes of foodborne illnesses, contamination, facility design, and food safety best practices.
The program is offered by Learn2Serve. They’re one of the recognizable names for online training and certification in the food industry, mostly known for their state-specific health department courses, including Arizona, Florida, and New York.
Additional options include the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, which offers food safety manager certification and food handler training. Training program options include reviewing study guides at home in either English or Spanish, online courses, and the utilization of local trainers.
Certified Executive Chef
The Certified Executive Chef (CEC) credential is for department managers who handle all culinary units in a restaurant, hotel, club, or any food service establishment. You will need five years of experience as a chef de cuisine, executive sous chef, or chef in charge of food production in a food service operation to qualify for this program.
The program requires you to undergo a pre-approval process, then submit proof of education and proof that you’ve taken a 30-hour mandatory course requirement, in addition to verified work experience. To receive the CEC certification, you must have also supervised at least five full-time employees and passed a written and practical exam in front of colleagues.
This certification is offered by the American Culinary Federation and needs to be renewed every five years.
Certified Food and Beverage Executive
The Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) is offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. It is the most prestigious certification available to food and beverage professionals. Getting this certification will put you in the company of elites who achieved a level of expertise.
A CFBE certification can help you stand out in your current position or advance your career goals. Either way, it will show that you can effectively manage employees and also handle a successful food and beverage operation.
Certified Foodservice Professional
The Certified Foodservice Professional credential was established in 1987 and is considered one of the most important industry certifications for food service professionals. The program aims to equip establishments with qualified and experienced professionals.
To qualify for the program, you need 35 credits of food service experience approved by the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM). Use the credit accumulation calculator or download the worksheet provided to estimate your current credit total. Create an account or log in to upload proof of credits as you earn them.
You must also include the required backup documentation for each item. Backup documentation can be a copy of a badge, certificate, diploma, or something that clearly shows your name and the name or date of the event to prove that you were a participant.
Once you have accumulated 35 approved credits, you can purchase CFSP study materials and take the online exam. You must pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher to receive this globally recognized certification.
Certified Food Executive
The Certified Food Executive certification is created for food service directors and restaurant operators. The certification aims to test beyond culinary skills and focus on the skills needed by food service professionals looking to advance into a management position.
The training and exam cover food safety, customer service, purchasing, storage, HACCP, and industry-related mathematical formulas. This program is prepared and administered by the International Food Service Executives Association.
Apply for a Food Service Manager Position Today
Food service managers are essential to the food service industry. Your expertise in food safety best practices and your ability to manage every aspect of operations is a huge part of the success and profitability of the establishment in which you work. Stand out and put your best foot forward by getting one or two of the food service certifications cited above.
Explore Joblist for personalized job matches or use the Joblist database to search by job title and location. You can also check out available guides, covering topics like how to stand out as an applicant and how to make a career change. Apply to food service manager positions today!
