Kitchen Manager Resume Example
Starting a career as a kitchen manager gives you the chance to gain experience in overseeing kitchen operations and managing staff schedules. For a successful kitchen manager application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional kitchen manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other kitchen manager applicants. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Continue reading to find the best kitchen manager resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main sections of a kitchen manager resume
Although the content of a kitchen manager resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate kitchen manager positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
If you have some experience as a kitchen manager, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior kitchen manager roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Header and Personal Information
A kitchen manager resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Isabella Cruz
isabella.cruz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
linkedin․com/in/isabella–cruz123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in kitchen manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for kitchen manager roles.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a kitchen manager, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a kitchen manager resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Experienced Kitchen Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management and a proven track record as a Culinary Operations Manager. Skilled in overseeing kitchen operations, managing staff, ensuring food quality and safety, and optimizing inventory and budget controls. Adept at menu planning, cost management, and enhancing customer dining experiences through innovative culinary practices. Strong leadership and organizational abilities with a focus on maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment
Bad example:
Kitchen manager with some experience in culinary arts and overseeing kitchen tasks. Worked in roles where I managed staff and checked food quality. Have been involved in planning menus and handling costs. Focused on improving dining experiences and keeping things organized in busy settings
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a kitchen manager. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a kitchen manager resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Culinary Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Culinary Creations Inc, Austin
- Increased restaurant revenue by 25% through strategic menu redesign and cost-effective supplier negotiations
- Successfully led and executed the opening of five new restaurant locations within a two-year period
- Implemented a comprehensive staff training program, reducing turnover rates by 30% and improving overall service quality
Bad example:
Culinary Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Culinary Creations Inc, Austin
- Improved restaurant operations and customer satisfaction through effective management and team leadership
- Contributed to business growth by enhancing menu offerings and optimizing kitchen processes
- Developed and maintained strong supplier relationships to ensure quality and cost efficiency
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education and Qualifications
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to kitchen manager roles.
A kitchen manager role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your inventory management proficiency or staff training techniques.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management, 2017 - 2020
Duke University, Durham, NC
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to kitchen manager positions. Consider adding inventory management proficiency, effective communication skills or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for kitchen manager jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a kitchen manager.
Highlighting your hard skills
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for kitchen manager jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in kitchen manager roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a kitchen manager resume are listed below.
- Menu planning expertise
- Food safety certification
- Inventory management proficiency
Listing soft skills on your kitchen manager resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a kitchen manager job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a kitchen manager resume, see below.
- Effective communication skills
- Time management proficiency
- Team leadership abilities
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a kitchen manager. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a kitchen manager resume:
- ServSafe Manager, 2022
- HACCP Certification, 2022
- Food Handler Certification, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to a kitchen manager resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteering
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your kitchen manager resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Standard kitchen manager resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a kitchen manager resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Coordinate
- Oversee
- Manage
- Implement
- Streamline
- Train
- Evaluate
- Maintain
- Optimize
- Delegate
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of a kitchen manager resume
The kitchen manager resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
•
isabella.cruz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/isabella–cruz123
Highly skilled Kitchen Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and extensive experience as a Culinary Operations Manager. Proven expertise in overseeing kitchen operations, staff management, menu planning, and ensuring food safety and quality standards. Adept at optimizing workflow, enhancing guest satisfaction, and driving profitability through strategic planning and team leadership
Culinary Operations Manager
2020
-2022
Gourmet Innovations Inc (Buffalo)
- Increased kitchen efficiency by 30% through process optimization and staff training, resulting in higher customer satisfaction scores
- Successfully launched 5 new seasonal menus, boosting revenue by 15% and enhancing the restaurant's reputation for innovation
- Reduced food waste by 20% by implementing inventory management systems and sustainable sourcing practices
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
2017
-2020
University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV)
Menu planning expertise
Food safety certification
Inventory management proficiency
Effective communication skills
Time management proficiency
Team leadership abilities
ServSafe Manager
HACCP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a kitchen manager resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Kick off your kitchen manager resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Aim for a brief, concise kitchen manager resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't clutter your kitchen manager resume with too much information. Keep everything focused on showcasing your relevant skills and achievements.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. There are several things you can do when writing your kitchen manager resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions for a kitchen manager resume
After writing your kitchen manager resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to kitchen manager roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your kitchen manager resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your kitchen manager applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Kitchen Management Professional
- Expert Culinary Operations and Management
- Experienced Senior Kitchen Management Professional
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Key points for your kitchen manager resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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