Restaurant Job Descriptions & Templates

In How to Begin Staffing Your Restaurant, we gave you a high-level overview of the roles you’ll need to fill for your restaurant. In this section we’ll go much deeper and provide you with details on each restaurant job description, responsibilities, and templates.

You’ll walk away from this section with a more in-depth understanding of each job’s responsibilities so you can ultimately post to job boards to fill each role. You’ll be able to customize our job description templates to create ones that best describe who you are looking for to form your restaurant dream team.

Restaurant Job Descriptions, Responsibilities & Key Skills

Every role in your restaurant is like a gear inside a watch: you need all the right pieces to keep each gear turning and your restaurant running like a well-oiled machine.

Every person will bring a unique skill and function to your business. Hiring the best people is about understanding how each contributes to a strong, collaborative team that will enable you to succeed.

Whether big or small, you’ll need to evaluate your staffing needs for your front and back of house. You’ll also need to know where and how to staff experienced and entry-level people for various roles.

Here are the responsibilities and key skills of each key member of your staff, so you can start to map out the kinds of people you’ll need to hire for each position on your team.

Restaurant Manager Job Description

The restaurant manager is your right-hand to take care of the day-to-day operations of the front of house. Hiring the right person will alleviate your responsibilities and might just let you get some sleep at night.

Responsibilities

• People management
• Day-to-day operations
• Hiring and firing
• Staff scheduling
• Event planning
• Customer service
• Bookkeeping
• Public relations/marketing/advertising

Key skills

• People skills
• Organizational skills
• Communications skills
• Problem solving
• Training or extensive experience in hospitality

Restaurant Bartender Job Description

A top position of the front of house, a good bartender is someone who can read the customer, offer friendly conversation while mixing up delicious drinks, and isn’t afraid to cut someone off when they’ve had too much to drink.

Responsibilities

• Makes drinks for the whole restaurant
• Monitors alcoholic consumption
• Cashes out the bar till every night
• Serves customers at the bars
• Closes bar at the end of the night
• Supports team when needed

Key skills

• Previous experience as a bartender
• Knowledge of alcoholic beverage trends
• People skills
• Organizational skills
• Responsible
• Communications skills
• Teamwork skills

Restaurant Server Job Description

A server is your customer service representative and plays an important role in ensuring the happiness of your guests. Good servers can make loyal customers of first-time patrons and can upsell food – and therefore increase profits.

Responsibilities

• Customer service
• Knowledge of menu
• Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of front of house
• Dining room maintenance such as filling salt and pepper shakers, stocking condiments, rolling silverware in napkins, sweeping the floor, etc.

Key skills:

• People skills
• Organizational skills
• Responsible
• Communications skills
• Teamwork skills

Restaurant Host Job Description

The general role of a hostess is to meet, greet and seat your clients when they come in. They are also in charge of the reservation book and keeping waitlists organized.

Responsibilities

• Meet, greet, and seat clients
• Organize and coordinate reservations and waitlists
• Teamwork skills

Key skills

• People skills
• Communication skills
• Organization skills
• Multi-tasking
• Entry-level position

Restaurant Food Runner Job Description

The role of a food runner is quite literally to move food from the back of house to the front, alleviating the server to take more orders. They are often considered a “swing role” because they move between back and front of house.

Responsibilities

• Customer service
• Bring food from kitchen to customer
• Support server (i.e., answering customer questions, refilling glasses)
• Support kitchen (i.e., wash dishes, help with food preparation)

Key Skills

• Customer service
• Organization skills (efficiency and speed)
• Teamwork skills
• Entry level position

Restaurant Busser Job Description

The role of the busser is also as a support for servers, and they are responsible for removing dishes and cleaning tables. They are also considered a “swing role” because they move between front and back of house.

Responsibilities

• Customer service
• Bring dishes to kitchen
• Support server (i.e., clear and clean tables, customer service requests)
• Support kitchen (i.e., wash dishes, help with food preparation)

Key skills

• Customer service
• Organization skills (efficiency and speed)
• Teamwork skills
• Entry level position

Your back-of-house staff aren’t typically public facing, but are the heart of your restaurant. Your team needs to know how to work collaboratively and have good communications skills.

Note: back-of-house staff also include non-kitchen support staff like office staff (such as accountants/bookkeepers, HR), maintenance staff, and you, the restaurant owner. But for the sake of this section we will only include the kitchen-related roles needed to staff your restaurant.

Restaurant kitchen manager Job Description

The head chef is the back-of-house kitchen manager taking care of day-to-day operations of the kitchen. Depending on how big your restaurant is you may have one head chef or many head chefs.

Responsibilities

• People management
• Day-to-day kitchen operations (i.e. ordering produce, creating specials)
• Hiring and firing
• Staff scheduling
• Customer service
• Bookkeeping

Key skills

• Chef experience (preferably for your concept)
• Chef training
• Leadership experience
• Creativity
• Organizational skills
• Communications skills
• Problem solving
• Teamwork skills

Restaurant Sous Chef Job Description

The sous chef is the head chef’s second-in-command. Their role is to fill in for the chef and fill the line if busy. Small restaurants often don’t have a sous chef, but if you need one, you will want someone who is an organized and experienced cook, someone who can work well with your chef, and can be a kitchen-generalist as needed. Their skills are similar to the head chef since they will perform in their role when needed.

Responsibilities

• Supporting head chef
• Supporting day-to-day kitchen operations
• Taking leadership role when chef is not there
• Fill in where needed in the kitchen

Key skills

• Kitchen experience
• Creativity
• Knowledge of ingredients
• Some leadership experience
• Organizational skills
• Communications skills
• Problems solving
• Teamwork skills

Restaurant Line Cook Job Description

A line cook is dedicated to producing quality food, often inspecting and testing it before it leaves the kitchen. Depending on your menu and kitchen you may have many different line cooks, each in charge of a different station in the kitchen. You can have anywhere between two and eight (sometimes more) depending on how large your restaurant is.

Responsibilities

• Cooking (and preparation)
• Food health and safety
• Kitchen organization

Key skills

• Multi-tasking
• Time management
• Teamwork skills
• Organization skills
• Some experience in the kitchen
• Problem solving

Restaurant Dishwasher Job Description

The most underrated role in the kitchen, but a very valuable position.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning and washing all things related to the kitchen (i.e., utensils to floors)
• Kitchen organization

Key skills

• Multi-tasking
• Time management
• Teamwork skills
• Organization skills (specifically speed, cleanliness and efficiency)
• Entry level position

note: depending on your restaurant concept you may have other specialty roles such as a sommelier, butcher, pastry chef, and more.

Restaurant Job Description Templates

The ultimate cheat-sheet, we’ve gathered job postings for the most popular restaurant positions you’ll need to hire for. If you’ve opted to post for positions on job websites, this is a great place to start customizing postings for what you need.

The best source for restaurant hires will always be referrals, but use these templates for job sites used by the restaurant industry. We suggest posting to the following sites:

• https://www.hcareers.ca (Canada)
• https://poachedjobs.com (U.S.)
• http://www.jobsonthemenu.com (U.S.)

Keep in mind that you will want to modify these job posting templates to include information about your restaurant, concept-specific knowledge and skills, and incentives you offer your employees. Consider these templates a starting point that you can modify to attract the perfect person for each role as you see it.

Restaurant Manager Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Restaurant Manager to join the team of our bustling restaurant. We are interested in someone who will be responsible for implementing restaurant policies and procedures while managing and motivating staff to achieve revenue objectives. The ideal candidate will have strategies to ensure high standards of customer service are held, in addition to ensuring compliance with local, state/provincial and federal laws.

Responsibilities

• Train, coach, and supervise staff
• Develop and manage staff schedules
• Ensure compliance with food, health and safety guidelines and procedures
• Work with management to meet revenue objectives
• Monitor trends and develop and implement appropriate strategies to correct negative trends and improve sales
• Cultivate and maintain a positive working environment
• Follow and uphold company policies and procedures regarding the handling of cash, property, products, and equipment
• Monitor and assess inventory to ensure product availability, and make orders as needed

Qualifications and Skills

• 3+ years’ experience in the restaurant industry, preferably with some management experience
• Education or formal training in hospitality, marketing or public relations is preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organization, bookkeeping, and leadership skills
• Dependable and reliable

Restaurant Bartender Job Description Template

Job Summary

Our busy bar is looking for a Bartender familiar with a wide array of drinks, both trending and old-school, while delivering quality customer service. The ideal candidate will serve customers who are sitting at the front bar in addition to making drinks for the dining room. The Bartender is responsible for monitoring the cash drawer located at the bar and monitoring alcohol inventories (especially at the end of each night), and will support the manager in ordering alcohol to help maintain adequate inventory.

Responsibilities

• Mix drinks and serve customers
• Monitor pour levels to keep drink costs at a minimum
• Maintain a safe bar environment
• Follow health department regulations to ensure a clean and organized bar area
• Maintain a precise cash drawer and account for any discrepancies in the final drawer tally

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent required
• 2+ years’ experience as a bartender
• Mixology certification from a reputable bartending school is desireable
• Physical demands include standing for an eight-hour shift and lifting 20-pound boxes
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal communications skills

Restaurant Server Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated and friendly Server who thrives in delivering excellent customer service. The Server will be responsible for taking orders from customers, describing menu items, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. The ideal candidate will have previous experience as a Server in a fast-paced restaurant offering excellent service to customers. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Offer friendly and respectful customer service
• Take customers’ food and drink orders
• Ensure all orders are accurately brought to the customer in a timely manner
• Deliver knowledge of menu and specials and suggest dishes
• Work alongside restaurant management to address customer concerns
• Assist with front-of-house side-work to maintain a clean and orderly environment
• Assist with setting tables and rearranging tables to accommodate larger parties

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent required
• 2+ years’ Server experience preferred
• Strong customer service skills required
• Knowledge and passion for food!

Restaurant Host Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are seeking a friendly Host to work varying shifts, including weekends. We are looking for someone who is friendly, comfortable making small talk, and can get to know local patrons on a first-name basis. You should be a team player, comfortable with filling in for bussers, servers and bartenders when shifts get busy. Our ideal candidate shares the same values we do, so if you enjoy people and love hospitality, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers when they first arrive
• Coordinate reservations, create waitlists, and offer patrons accurate wait time estimates during busy periods
• Be responsible for ensuring a neat and organized front of house that reflects our establishment
• Seat guests and take drink orders to ensure efficiency in speed of service
• Assist with opening/closing tasks and side work as needed
• Learn menu items and specials
• Be conscious of server workloads and rotate seating between different stations

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent preferred
• Flexible schedule, including weekend/evening shifts
• 1+ year of customer service experience in the hospitality industry
• Excellent time management skills
• A friendly and warm disposition
• Team player
• Able to work at least every other holiday

Restaurant Food Runner Job Description Template

Job Summary

Our popular restaurant is looking for a Food Runner who can work well in a fast-paced environment and keep up during the busiest times of the day. You will work closely with Servers and Cooks and be responsible for delivering food to customers in a timely manner. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and preferably some experience working in a restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with servers and cooks to ensure prompt service, including serving meals and clearing tables when needed
• Support the kitchen staff during the busier times of the day with washing dishes if needed
• Support servers by arranging tables for large parties and scheduled gatherings when needed
• Update the specials board each morning
• Observe tables and alert servers if guests need drink refills or other assistance

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent preferred
• 1+ year of experience in a busy restaurant
• Able to lift 20 pounds at a time
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Available to work weekends and evenings

Restaurant Busser Job Description Template

Job Summary

Our casual downtown restaurant is looking for a Busser who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is able to keep up during the busiest times of the day. You will work closely with Dishwashers and Servers and be responsible for clearing tables when customers leave, ensuring there are always clean plates and flatware for each table. If you have a strong work ethic and some experience working in a restaurant, please apply.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with dishwashers and servers to make sure that tables are cleared, cleaned, and ready for the next party
• Support the kitchen staff during the busier times of the day with washing dishes if needed
• Support servers by arranging tables for large parties and scheduled gatherings when needed
• Update the specials board each morning
• Observe tables and alert servers if guests need drink refills or other assistance

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent preferred
• 1+ year of experience in a busy restaurant
• Able to lift 20 pounds at a time
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Available to work weekends and evenings

Restaurant Head Chef Job Description Template

Job Summary

Our busy restaurant is in need of a Head Chef who has a reputation for being a hard-working, self-motivated professional. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the kitchen, developing menus, and creating recipes. If you are creative, enthusiastic, passionate about food, and have plenty of experience as a chef in a reputable restaurant, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, and supervise kitchen personnel
• Purchase and manage kitchen inventory
• Develop the menu
• Lead recipe creation and support kitchen staff with food prep
• Ensure kitchen and surrounding areas are sanitized and clean, and abide by company policies and local health and safety regulations
• Stay current with industry trends
• Identify and train staff on new culinary techniques

Qualifications and Skills

• Four-year culinary degree or culinary school completion
• 7+ years’ experience in an executive kitchen position
• Experience and knowledge of current restaurant industry trends
• Must possess creativity in culinary arts
• Strong knowledge and experience with local, state/provincial and federal food sanitation regulations
• Experienced in providing direction and supervision to kitchen staff

Restaurant Sous Chef Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are seeking a talented Sous Chef with experience in creating seasonal menus and designing new dishes. The ideal candidate will assist the Head Chef in culinary and administrative areas, while ensuring clear communications with the Restaurant Manager. The ideal candidate is an experienced professional, dedicated to food quality and high standards. If you are energetic, have excellent culinary skills, and a passion for quality cuisine, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in scheduling kitchen staff with a focus on resource management and speed of service
• Train all kitchen staff on the preparation, arrangement, and plating of dishes
• Ensure all kitchen staff adhere to culinary standards, restaurant policies, and relevant regulations
• Personally respond to customer inquiries and concerns
• Design new menu items based on seasonal ingredients and customer demand
• Track, record, and order inventory as needed
• Cross-train kitchen staff on multiple stations
• Assist Head Chef with the pricing of menu items
• Research new developments in restaurant industry and trends, and apply knowledge to the restaurant’s culinary practice

Qualifications and Skills

• Four-year degree or culinary school completion preferred
• 5+ years’ kitchen experience in a fast-paced, high-volume, full service restaurant
• Knowledge of best practices for training and implementing kitchen procedures with kitchen staff
• High level of reliability excellent creativity skills
• Flexible schedule required
• Experience with menu costing procedures

Restaurant Line Cook Job Description Template

Job Summary

We are looking for a professional Line Cook who can work with an organized team to prepare meals at a busy concept restaurant. The Line Cook’s responsibilities will be to prep ingredients, cook meals, and keep a sanitized work area. The ideal candidate has experience in the foodservice industry and shares a strong commitment to exemplary food presentation and garnishing, and understands the importance of impressing guests and creating repeat business.

Responsibilities

• Prep ingredients for menu items using restaurant recipes
• Learn and utilize the restaurants’ kitchen procedures for serving portion sizes and all basic meal prep
• Follow restaurant standards to keep kitchen, food prep areas, and food storage areas clean and organized
• Contribute to the team’s efficiency by helping with prep work for other shifts when needed
• Follow restaurant produce schedule, monitor product freshness, and rotate out old product

Qualifications and Skills

• 3+ years’ cooking and kitchen organization experience
• High school diploma/equivalent required
• Ability to work on your feet for eight hours or more a day
• High level of professionalism
• Teamwork skills and work collaboratively in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Excellent verbal communication and organizational skills
• Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds at a time on a regular basis

Restaurant Dishwasher Job Description Template

We are looking for a dishwasher to join the kitchen team for night and weekend shifts. The dishwasher will be responsible for cleaning, washing, and maintaining organization of the kitchen. The ideal candidate needs to be thorough, efficient, flexible, a team player, and have a good sense of organization to help us maintain a clean and orderly kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning, washing, and maintaining organization of the kitchen
• Knowledge of local guidelines to uphold health and safety for diners
• Follow restaurant standards to keep kitchen, food prep areas, and food storage areas clean and organized
• Other responsibilities may include basic prep, working the fryers, and supporting kitchen team as needed

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma/equivalent preferred
• High ability to multi-task, manage time, and work efficiently
• Be flexible with other kitchen-related tasks that vary with each shift
• Ability to work on your feet for eight hours or more a day
• Teamwork skills and work collaboratively in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Excellent verbal communication and organizational skills
• Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds at a time on a regular basis

Conclusion

Now that you understand each position in your restaurant, you hopefully also understand how each role will work together to determine the success of your business. With the templates we’ve provided, you can now start to find the right people who will complete your vision and execute on your dream of owning a successful restaurant. Happy hiring!