Becoming a Restaurant Manager: Skills, Salary and Where to Find a Job in 2024

Skills of a good restaurant manager

To be a good restaurant manager, you need to possess a variety of qualities and skills:

• Leadership: You are responsible for the team and must motivate and guide them.

• Organisational talent: You ensure that the various aspects of the restaurant (such as the kitchen, service and administration) are well coordinated.

• Problem-solving ability: You resolve unexpected problems — such as staff shortages or stock deficiencies — quickly and efficiently.

• Customer focus: Satisfied customers are crucial. A restaurant manager ensures an optimal customer experience.

• Financial insight: You must be able to manage budgets and keep costs under control.

Working as a restaurant manager

Although it goes without saying that a restaurant manager works in a restaurant, there are many different types of establishments where you can work. Think of Michelin-starred restaurants, local eateries or even cosy pubs. Your responsibilities vary depending on the size of the restaurant. In larger restaurants you often work behind the scenes with a focus on administration and planning, while in smaller venues you also actively work the floor.

There are also growth opportunities within this career. Many restaurant managers take the step towards opening their own restaurant, whether that's an entirely new concept or an existing restaurant being taken over. Entrepreneurship is a logical next step for many experienced restaurant managers.

A good restaurant manager knows how important efficiency is to keep daily operations running smoothly. Embracing automation can make a world of difference to how a restaurant operates. By using smart software like RestoManager, you can automate and optimise many tasks. Think of a reservation system that automatically manages table bookings, or offering digital gift cards that customers can purchase and redeem directly. A digital menu saves time and reduces errors, while an integrated website with customer reviews builds a strong online reputation. Automation makes it easier to focus on what truly matters: creating a great experience for your guests.

Average salaries of a restaurant manager

The salary of a restaurant manager varies depending on the size of the restaurant and the manager's experience. According to Jobbird, the average restaurant manager earns between €2,350 and €3,500 gross per month. This can vary, however, depending on the location and type of restaurant.

Where do you find a job as a restaurant manager?

If you are looking for a job as a restaurant manager, there are several websites where you can find vacancies:

• Indeed.com: A popular job site with a wide range of hospitality vacancies.

• VDAB.be: The official site for jobseekers in Flanders, with specific filters for hospitality.

• Career Jobbird: An international platform where you can also find jobs in Belgium.

• Jobat.be: A Belgian site with a wide offering across various sectors, including hospitality.

Other good options are LinkedIn and specialised hospitality job websites.

Frequently asked questions

What does a restaurant manager do? A restaurant manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational tasks of a restaurant, such as managing staff, monitoring inventory, managing budgets, and guaranteeing an excellent customer experience.

What does a restaurant manager earn? In 2024, the salary of a restaurant manager ranges between €2,350 and €3,500 gross per month, depending on experience, location and type of restaurant.

What does an assistant restaurant manager do? An assistant restaurant manager supports the head manager in daily tasks, helps with staff management and ensures everything on the floor runs smoothly.

What is a restaurant supervisor? A restaurant supervisor is responsible for overseeing a specific part of the restaurant, such as service or the kitchen, and ensures that the work within that section runs smoothly.

What is the job description of a restaurant manager? A restaurant manager carries out administrative tasks, such as scheduling staff and managing inventory. The manager also ensures that the quality of food and drink is maintained and that guests have a unique experience during their visit to the restaurant.