Career & application guide

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

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What do first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers do?

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Cafeteria Manager
  • Dietary Supervisor
  • Dining Services Director
  • Food and Beverage Director
  • Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor
  • Food Production Supervisor
  • Food Service Supervisor
  • Kitchen Manager

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Resolve customer complaints regarding food service.
  • Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures.
  • Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements.
  • Present bills and accept payments.
  • Perform various financial activities, such as cash handling, deposit preparation, and payroll.
  • Supervise and participate in kitchen and dining area cleaning activities.
  • Recommend measures for improving work procedures and worker performance to increase service quality and enhance job safety.
  • Specify food portions and courses, production and time sequences, and workstation and equipment arrangements.
  • Control inventories of food, equipment, smallware, and liquor, and report shortages to designated personnel.
  • Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service, and complete disciplinary write-ups.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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