Charting Restaurant Success: 7 Skills a Restaurant Manager Needs

Opening a restaurant is a big undertaking for any entrepreneur. But running and managing it once it's opened is considered even more difficult. Even though it can be fun, being a manager in any industry comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles.

Managers have a duty to 'manage' the day-to-day workings of a restaurant and hire and train staff to ensure smooth execution day in and out. It also entails maintaining communication with the kitchen staff and working closely to develop or revamp a menu.

Moreover, a typical manager would be expected to work with other departments such as marketing, accounts, and even the design team, if there is one. They may also be required to manage inventory of raw materials and other ingredients.

As you can see, there is a lot on any restaurant manager's plate. The job description is demanding; however, if one has the right skills and attitude, the job gets easier.
So, what are some skills that a restaurant manager should have? If you're on your way to becoming one or looking to hire one for your restaurant, then this article is meant for you. 

Here are some skills a good restaurant manager would have: 

Team Worker

While this may seem like a typical skill that is needed in all roles, teamwork is a skill that pays well in the long run. As suggested above, a restaurant manager may have to maintain a working relationship across many departments of a restaurant.

If the manager is not oriented towards teamwork, then ideas and plans may fall through. Moreover, a successful restaurant is not the product of a single person. It takes a dedicated team of owners, designers, tasters, and in some cases, even investors to ensure smooth running. 

Problem Solver

A restaurant is a big business. And with a big business, chances are they may be problems which need immediate attention or solving. It could be as simple as a menu item finishing before hours or something as undesirable as a restaurant fire.

A good restaurant manager should have a proactive attitude towards problems and should ideally seek to solve them as soon as possible. As such, restaurant manager skills should also include effective conflict management. The chances of conflict arising in a restaurant are multifold since it is essentially a customer-client service exchange. Moreover, this is a skill that develops over time, but a good manager would try to strategise how they deal with problems. 

Be a Leader

Being a leader does not necessarily mean being bossy. Being a leader involves stepping up to the roles and responsibilities of being a manager and going out of the way to ensure that your restaurant employees and customers are looked after and satisfied.

A manager with a leadership attitude also motivates and subtly trains staff to give their best each day. This skill is intended more towards the restaurant staff and the daily hustle bustle that comes with running a restaurant. 

Effective Communicator

Getting your point across effectively is an excellent skill for anyone. But a managerial role demands that managers offer more clarity to their staff. In a restaurant business, the chances are that managers need to talk to vendors, suppliers, staff, and even kitchen staff.

This means that everyone should know their role and the demands from the get-go. A slight miscommunication may lead to conflicts, such as an order not being delivered on time or delivering an incomplete list of raw materials. Moreover, since restaurants can be stressful, it is good to have a great restaurant manager who is great at communicating while maintaining decorum and respect between the manager-staff relationship. 

Thoroughness

A typical day for a restaurant manager would begin with different tasks such as sorting the seating plan for an event. Other tasks may include scheduling for a specific client. All these tasks demand attention to detail and thoroughness.
A good restaurant manager is proficient in the above skills and has a keen eye for details. This adds to the customer's restaurant experience as it enhances the aesthetic feel of the restaurant. It's not necessary that a good manager has an artistic eye; what's important is that everything complements each other and does not look out of place. Now whether it is cutlery or a special menu that demands thoroughness from a manager is purely circumstantial. 

There is no point in being given a senior role if one cannot appreciate junior staff or employees. A restaurant business can be demanding. Emotions may run high as customers start pouring in and orders come through. Hence, it may be that an employee or staff makes a mistake or does not follow orders. As a good manager, your role demands that you forgive and make sure the solution is reinforced. In addition to this, if an employee or staff does good work, then they should be thoroughly appreciated by the manager. As a senior role, it is the manager's responsibility to boost their team’s morale. Appreciating is not only rewarding for the employees, but it also paints the manager in a positive light.