Looking for a Restaurant Manager ? Find a qualified Restaurant Manager With Brigad

The role of a restaurant manager extends beyond just managing the day-to-day operations. It's a position that requires one to wear many hats.

From front-of-house supervision to back-of-house coordination, the manager ensures that the restaurant runs smoothly. They are responsible for maintaining the quality of food and service, managing finances, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

• They are also involved in personnel management, which includes recruiting, training, and supervising staff members.
• Additionally, they handle customer interactions, addressing complaints, and enhancing the dining experience.
• They oversee the restaurant's profitability, ensuring operational efficiency and maintaining production standards.
• Lastly, restaurant managers are also involved in strategic planning, including marketing activities and long-term budgeting.

This wide range of responsibilities requires a unique set of skills and experience.

How to Start Your Search for a Restaurant Manager

Before you start your search for a restaurant manager, it's crucial to identify the specific needs of your establishment. The nature of the manager's role may vary significantly depending on the restaurant's size, style, and location.

If your restaurant is a fine dining establishment, your ideal candidate may need experience in similar settings. If it's a fast-casual place, someone with a background in a similar environment could be a better fit.

Define your expectations clearly. You may be looking for a manager who can also handle marketing activities, staff training, inventory management, or interacting with customers.

Consider offering competitive compensation. This could include not just a good salary, but also bonuses or profit-sharing options.

Once you've defined your needs, it's time to look for candidates. You can use various methods to find potential hires, including online job platforms, industry-specific job boards, or recruitment agencies specializing in the hospitality sector.

Creating an Effective Job Description

Creating an effective job description for a restaurant manager begins with identifying key tasks and responsibilities tied to the role. These could be grouped into the following categories:

• Operations management: This includes ensuring smooth daily operations, supervising shifts, and overseeing food preparation and presentation standards.
• Staff supervision: The manager is responsible for recruiting, training, and appraising staff performance.
• Customer service: Engaging with customers to ensure satisfaction, handling complaints, and fostering customer loyalty are crucial.
• Financial management: Tasks here include managing the restaurant's budget, tracking work hours, and recording payroll data.

Remember to specify the skills and experience you're seeking. For instance, you might require prior management experience, strong communication skills, or familiarity with restaurant manager jobs in the hospitality industry.

Traditional methods to hire a Restaurant Manager

Hiring a restaurant manager in London involves navigating a highly competitive and diverse hospitality landscape. The traditional methods for this process, while grounded in historical practices, face unique challenges in today's fast-paced market.

Networking within the Industry

Leveraging industry contacts and networking events has been a cornerstone in finding experienced restaurant managers. London's dense concentration of hospitality businesses provides ample opportunity for networking, with industry meet-ups, professional associations, and trade shows serving as common platforms.

Limitations:

• Limited Scope: While effective in reaching a subset of potential candidates, this method might not attract newer talent or those outside the immediate network, limiting diversity and fresh perspectives.
• Time-Consuming: Building and maintaining a network sufficient to source quality candidates can be a lengthy process, not suited for urgent hiring needs.

Advertising in Trade Publications and Local Newspapers

Placing job adverts in industry-specific publications and local newspapers has been a traditional method to attract candidates with specific interest or experience in the hospitality sector.

Limitations:

• Reduced Readership: The shift towards digital media has significantly reduced the readership of print publications, diminishing the effectiveness of this method.
• Cost: Advertising in well-regarded publications, especially in a city as prominent as London, can be expensive, impacting smaller establishments with limited budgets.

Recruitment and Temp Agencies Specializing in Hospitality

Many London restaurants turn to recruitment agencies that specialize in the hospitality industry to find qualified candidates for management positions. These agencies have extensive databases of potential candidates and can facilitate the initial screening process.

Limitations:

• High Costs: Recruitment agencies charge fees for their services, which can be a considerable expense, especially for high-level positions like restaurant managers.
• Lack of Personal Touch: Agencies may not fully understand the unique culture and specific needs of a restaurant, potentially leading to a mismatch between the employer's expectations and the candidate's fit.

Internal Promotion

Method: Promoting from within the organization is a common practice, offering career progression opportunities to existing employees who already understand the business's operations and culture.

Limitations:

• Skill Gaps: Internal candidates may excel in their current roles but lack some managerial skills or experience, necessitating further training and development.
• Potential for Conflict: Promoting from within can sometimes lead to jealousy or conflict among staff, particularly if the selection process is viewed as unfair.

Considerations for Hiring: Skills and Experience

When assessing potential candidates for a restaurant manager role, the desired skills and experience should be established based on your restaurant's specific needs. Here are some considerations:

• Leadership: The restaurant manager needs to lead the team efficiently. Previous leadership experience is a plus.
• Communication: They should facilitate clear communication amongst team members and with customers.
• Customer service: Having a service-oriented mindset ensures a positive dining experience for guests.
• Problem-solving: They should be able to solve problems quickly and effectively.
• Financial management: Experience in managing budgets, sales tracking, and profitability analysis is advantageous.
• Adaptability: The ability to handle changing situations and peak hours with calm is essential.
• Multilingualism: This is an asset, especially in diverse regions.

Remember that the right balance of skills and experience may vary based on your specific requirements.

Exploring Restaurant Manager Positions in London

London offers a vibrant restaurant scene, making it an exciting city for those looking to step into restaurant management roles. The positions range from Assistant Restaurant Managers to General Managers, and each role comes with its unique responsibilities and benefits.

• Assistant Restaurant Managers are typically involved in overseeing staff, maintaining high service standards, and helping with administrative duties.
• General Managers, on the other hand, bear the overall responsibility for the restaurant's operations, ensuring a seamless dining experience for customers while achieving business objectives.

The city's culinary diversity means that potential managers can find opportunities in a variety of establishments, from traditional British pubs to trendy fusion restaurants and fine dining establishments.

For those passionate about art and culture, places like art'otel offer a unique environment combining hospitality with an artistic ambiance.

Finally, it's notable that London boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, providing opportunities for aspiring managers to work in some of the world's most acclaimed dining venues.

Decoding the Salary Expectations of a Restaurant Manager

Understanding salary expectations is a crucial factor both for employers looking to hire and aspiring restaurant managers considering job offers. In the United Kingdom, restaurant manager salaries can vary widely. On average, the salary ranges from £21k to £36k per year, with additional bonuses and profit sharing opportunities adding to the total pay. However, the exact figures can differ significantly depending on the geographical location, the type of establishment, and the level of responsibility associated with the role. For instance, in London, where living costs are higher, the average salary for a restaurant manager is £36,554 per year, with additional cash compensation ranging from £1,731 - £8,160. It's also worth noting that the starting salary for a junior restaurant manager is around £20,800 per year.

Highest Paid Careers in Restaurant Management

In the realm of restaurant management, certain roles command higher salaries due to their increased responsibilities and requirements. The Food and Beverage Manager is among these, with an average annual salary of $70,669. They are tasked with forecasting food demands, ordering inventory, and collaborating with chefs on menu development for diverse diets.

Senior Restaurant Managers also enjoy higher pay, averaging £32,038 per year in the UK. They typically hold greater responsibilities than standard restaurant managers, including overseeing larger teams and handling more complex operational tasks. In cities like Oxford, their average salary can reach up to £37,460 per year.

Fast-food managers are another high-paying position, with an average salary of $49,077 per year. They manage the restaurant's budget and staff, create schedules, and complete administrative tasks, like payroll.

In addition to these roles, some specific companies offer lucrative opportunities for restaurant managers. For instance, at Shake Shack, restaurant manager salaries can range from $53,000 to $78,000 annually.

Looking for a Restaurant Manager for your establishment ?

Hiring a skilled and experienced restaurant manager isn’t as easy as ordering a steak. You need someone with the right amount of experience who can be deployed in a new restaurant at a moment’s notice.

If you have not had much luck with job boards or the use of temp agencies, and candidates in the hospitality and catering sector are not rushing in, lack motivation, or have not got the experience or skills you are looking for, Brigad is here to provide a solution.

Publish short-term work offers on the Brigad app or website to interested independent freelance Restaurant Managers and other hospitality professionals, who are ready to work and able to pick up short-term shifts and fill gaps in your staffing rota.

With the Brigad business app (available for download via the App Store or Google Play), you can be easily connected with the Restaurant Manager your business needs.

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What is Brigad ?

Brigad is an app that allows hospitality establishments to easily connect with highly-qualified, self-employed hospitality professionals in London and surroundings ares

To start with, simply download the Brigad Business app via the App Store or Google Play. Create an account and you can get started. 

Sign-up for free and post a mission corresponding to your needs for a Restaurant Manager in under 3 minutes. Chances are that your mission will be accepted within a matter of hours by a qualified Restaurant Manager. 

How to use Brigad when looking for a Restaurant Manager

Restaurant, pub, bar, café, and hotel food & beverage (F&B) managers, owners, or operators looking to hire independent Restaurant Managers or other hospitality professionals can easily create a mission using the Brigad app. Simply select the dates and times, hours, days needed, the role needed, and add a description that details the requirements and expectations.

Your job offer, also known as a “mission” (the short-term shift for which you need filled), will be sent to only the most relevant, qualified, and fully vetted Restaurant Managers who meet your criteria. Once one of them accepts the mission, you will be notified and put in contact.

The Restaurant Manager will arrive on the day of the mission ready to work, as they will have received all the necessary information from your mission description to successfully complete the mission.

This means you can be confident in finding the right Restaurant Manager to fulfil your business's operational needs.

No more wasting time selecting a profile from dozens, or even hundreds of options. Post a new mission on Brigad in less than 3 minutes, then just sit back and let the  algorithm handle the rest. Only the most relevant talents will receive your mission proposition, and the most motivated Restaurant Manager will be the one to accept it.

Invoices are generated and payments are made automatically, simplifying the process for your business or organisation's finance team. This allows you to focus on running your busy restaurant, pub, bar, café, or hotel food & beverage (F&B) operation.

Need to find a Restaurant Manager in a hurry? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Post a mission on the Brigad business app in less than 3 minutes. Two thirds of missions are accepted in under 2 hours. Fill your staffing rotas efficiently, even in urgent, time-sensitive situations. Problem solved.

Benefits of working with Brigad when looking for a Restaurant Manager

Brigad provides a range of benefits for establishments like restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, and hotels, as well as catering venues and events in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, by facilitating connections with skilled Restaurant Managers and other hospitality professionals.

A strict vetting process

The hospitality industry is too busy and fast-paced for people who aren’t serious and committed to the work. After a rigorous vetting process by our team of experts, only the most qualified Restaurant Managers are offered access to the Brigad platform. 

As an owner, operator, or manager, you might worry about verifying the paperwork of the Restaurant Manager who is coming to work for you. However, you don’t need to worry about any of that, as we handle all checks for you.

All profiles on the Brigad platform undergo a strict two-step vetting process, executed by both the app and the Brigad team. This thorough verification ensures you work with only the best independent, self-employed (inside HMRC IR35), or freelance Restaurant Managers and other hospitality professionals. 

The backgrounds, IDs, employment history, and training of all Restaurant Managers are verified to ensure they are reliable and experts in their field before they’re able to accept any missions on the Brigad app. This way, you can be 100% confident that the person is who they say they are and have a legal right to live and work in the UK.

Essential Soft Skills of Restaurant Managers in the Brigad Community

• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly and persuasively communicate with staff, customers, and suppliers is crucial. This includes active listening, conveying expectations clearly, and handling feedback constructively.
• Leadership and Team Management: Inspiring and motivating a diverse team, while managing conflict and fostering a positive, productive work environment. A successful restaurant manager leads by example and is adept at team building and staff development.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: The fast-paced nature of the hospitality industry requires managers to quickly address and resolve issues as they arise, from customer complaints to operational challenges. Being adaptable and creative in problem-solving is key to maintaining smooth operations.
• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one's own emotions, as well as empathizing with others, are vital for creating a harmonious workplace. High emotional intelligence helps in managing stress, navigating interpersonal relationships, and enhancing customer service.

Only work with driven freelance professionals on Brigad

Freelance Restaurant Managers and other hospitality professionals represent their own interests and build their own network of customers, which is why they are particularly reliable and motivated. So, you don’t have to worry about last-minute surprises, like a no-show an hour before a busy restaurant opens or a wedding feast needs to be cooked.

A dedicated assistance team

A member of the account management and customer experience will be assigned to you to provide support during your  first month on Brigad to make sure that you understand the features and are making the most of the platform. Should any problems arise, our  responsive Assistance Team is available seven days a week to ensure that solutions are readily available for any situation that might be encountered.

Mission prices for Restaurant Managers in the UK

All prices are dynamically calculated to consider tension rates, ensuring competitive pricing tailored to your specific requirements. 

The cost is determined by multiplying an hourly rate by the number of hours you need a Restaurant Manager for. When you create a mission, you'll receive an instant quote. 

This is the fixed price you pay once a self-employed Restaurant Manager accepts your mission, so there are no surprise costs or hidden charges.

A dynamic pricing means that costs are competitively calculated for each new mission. 

You have control over the pricing, allowing you to adjust it upwards if needed. This flexibility can enhance the likelihood of your mission being quickly accepted by talented independent hospitality and catering professionals in London and surrounding areas.