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First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers is the O*NET name for people who directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food. Interest ratings put Enterprising on top at 6.4 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ECR and the day leans toward leading, persuading and making business decisions. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to management of personnel resources, speaking, and monitoring as the ones to build. You may also need to resolve customer complaints regarding food service. People who want leading, persuading and making business decisions usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Instructing
  • Active Listening

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on management of personnel resources and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

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

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.