What pre-service duties should I include in a Restaurant Supervisor job description?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Restaurant Duty Manager Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a successful restaurant serving 180+ covers daily with emphasis on operational excellence, team leadership, and exceptional guest experiences. Our duty manager oversees daily operations during designated shifts, ensuring smooth service delivery and staff coordination. This role combines operational management with hands-on support, leading teams while maintaining service standards and handling escalated situations. You'll work in a fast-paced environment managing both front-of-house and back-of-house coordination during busy service periods. The position offers excellent progression opportunities including general manager and multi-site management roles, with involvement in staff development, operational improvements, and business growth within our restaurant group.
• Oversee daily restaurant operations during assigned shifts including service coordination and quality control • Manage and motivate front-of-house and back-of-house teams ensuring efficient collaboration and communication • Handle escalated guest complaints and service issues with professionalism and effective resolution strategies • Monitor service standards and food quality, implementing corrective actions when necessary • Manage staff scheduling, break coverage, and shift assignments to optimize operational efficiency • Oversee opening and closing procedures including cash handling, security protocols, and facility checks • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, food safety protocols, and licensing requirements • Coordinate with kitchen management on service flow, special requirements, and timing optimization • Handle administrative duties including sales reporting, inventory management, and incident documentation • Implement company policies and procedures while maintaining positive team morale and performance • Manage cash handling procedures, till reconciliation, and financial accountability during shifts • Support staff training, performance management, and development initiatives
Essential Skills: Proven management experience with ability to lead diverse teams under pressure; comprehensive understanding of restaurant operations including service, kitchen, and administrative functions; strong problem-solving abilities for handling operational challenges and guest complaints; excellent communication skills for staff management and guest relations; financial awareness including cash handling, cost control, and basic P&L understanding; knowledge of health and safety, food safety, and employment regulations. Preferred Qualifications: 3+ years restaurant management or supervisory experience; hospitality management qualification or equivalent professional training; experience with POS systems, scheduling software, and operational technology; wine and beverage knowledge for comprehensive service oversight; additional language skills for diverse teams and guest demographics; conflict resolution and performance management training.
We're looking for experienced restaurant professionals with at least 3 years in management or senior supervisory roles, demonstrating ability to lead teams and manage operations effectively. You should have solid understanding of restaurant operations, natural leadership skills, and proven track record in hospitality management. While formal management qualifications are valuable, we care more about your practical experience, problem-solving ability, and commitment to operational excellence. We provide ongoing management development including advanced leadership training and operational skills enhancement. Career advancement opportunities include general manager, area manager, and regional management positions within our expanding restaurant group. We support professional growth through management training programs, mentoring relationships, and cross-functional experience opportunities.
We're looking for someone who combines strong operational knowledge with inspirational leadership qualities, motivating teams while maintaining exacting standards for service quality and operational efficiency. You should be decisive under pressure, able to prioritize multiple demands, and skilled at developing team capabilities. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence for staff management, and commitment to creating positive workplace culture. You should be organized, analytical, and able to balance business objectives with team development and guest satisfaction. We value collaborative leadership, continuous improvement mindset, and results-oriented approach, seeking someone who drives operational success while fostering team growth and maintaining our service standards.
Competitive management salary of £28,000-£34,000 annually based on experience and operational capabilities, with quarterly performance reviews and merit-based advancement opportunities. Comprehensive management benefits package includes: performance bonus structure tied to operational KPIs and guest satisfaction metrics; nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 28 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and professional development time. Leadership development opportunities including management training programs, operational certifications, and potential advancement to senior management roles. Health and wellness benefits, flexible working arrangements where possible, and management recognition programs celebrating operational excellence and team development achievements.

Include comprehensive restaurant supervisor pre-service duties including staff arrival coordination and detailed briefing sessions with daily updates, equipment and dining area preparation checks ensuring operational readiness, inventory verification and stock management with reorder planning, menu preparation oversight and daily specials coordination, health and safety compliance checks across all operational areas, and service readiness confirmation across front and back of house departments.

Common misunderstanding: Pre-service duties are primarily checklist completion rather than strategic preparation for successful service delivery.

Effective restaurant supervisor pre-service preparation involves strategic coordination including team briefing, quality assurance, problem prevention, and operational optimisation. Systematic pre-service management often determines service quality and efficiency throughout operational periods.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant supervisors can delegate most pre-service responsibilities to senior staff members rather than maintaining direct oversight.

Critical pre-service oversight requires supervisor involvement including quality verification, staff coordination, problem resolution, and service readiness confirmation. Direct supervisor engagement often prevents operational issues and ensures consistent service standards.

How should I detail staff coordination responsibilities for Restaurant Supervisor job description pre-service duties?

Detail comprehensive team briefing facilitation with daily updates including specials, reservations, and operational changes, strategic shift assignment coordination and effective task delegation across departments, training support for new team members with skill development guidance, continuous performance monitoring and constructive coaching, seamless communication between front and back of house operations, and proactive conflict resolution before service begins to maintain team harmony.

Common misunderstanding: Staff briefings should focus primarily on daily specials and reservations rather than comprehensive operational coordination.

Effective restaurant supervisor briefings encompass service standards, quality expectations, team coordination, problem prevention, and motivation alongside operational updates. Comprehensive briefings often improve service consistency and staff performance throughout shifts.

Common misunderstanding: Pre-service staff coordination is less critical than during-service management for restaurant operational success.

Pre-service coordination establishes team alignment, prevents operational problems, and ensures quality standards that directly impact service delivery. Strong pre-service preparation often reduces during-service issues and improves overall operational efficiency significantly.

What operational checks should I emphasise for Restaurant Supervisor job description pre-service duties?

Emphasise comprehensive dining room setup and presentation standards verification ensuring guest-ready environment, kitchen equipment functionality and safety checks preventing operational disruptions, inventory levels and restock requirements assessment with supplier coordination, cleanliness and hygiene compliance verification across all operational areas, reservation system review and strategic table planning for optimal service flow, and emergency procedure readiness confirmation ensuring staff preparedness for various situations.

Common misunderstanding: Operational pre-service checks are routine administrative tasks rather than quality assurance responsibilities.

Restaurant supervisor operational checks ensure service quality, safety compliance, and operational efficiency that directly impact guest experience and business performance. Thorough pre-service verification often prevents costly problems and service disruptions.

Common misunderstanding: Equipment and inventory checks can be performed by staff members without supervisor verification or oversight.

Supervisor oversight of critical operational elements ensures quality standards, identifies potential problems, and maintains accountability for service readiness. Direct supervisor involvement often catches issues that staff members might overlook or inadequately address.