Food Service Director Resume Guide
Food service directors are responsible for the overall management of a food service department. This includes menu planning, kitchen operations, and staff supervision. They must ensure that all food is prepared safely and meet health code regulations. Food service directors often work closely with other managers to coordinate dining services with events or conferences held at the facility.
You have the experience and credentials to lead any food service team, but employers in the industry don’t know who you are. To make them aware of your qualifications, you need to write a resume that stands out from the rest.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Food Service Director Resume Sample
Susana McDermott
Food Service Director
[email protected]
082-916-5657
linkedin.com/in/susana-mcdermott
Summary
Diligent food service director with over a decade of experience in the food and beverage industry. At XYZ, responsible for managing a team of 30+ employees across 3 shifts while maintaining compliance with all health codes. Experienced in menu development, cost-reduction initiatives, and supplier management. Recognized as an effective leader who motivates staff to meet or exceed performance goals.
Experience
Food Service Director, Company ABC
Lakewood, Jan 2018 – Present
- Decreased food wastage by 15% and lowered food contamination incidents by 18%.
- Developed new recipes and menus in collaboration with the head chef, taking into account customer feedback and dietary restrictions.
- Assessed kitchen staff performance on a regular basis and provided constructive feedback to help them improve their skills.
- Confidently handled complaints from customers regarding food quality or service issues.
- Spearheaded various initiatives to promote healthy eating habits among employees and customers alike.
Food Service Director, Company XYZ
Springfield, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Coordinated food service operations for a team of up to 50 employees, ensuring that all orders were prepared and served in a timely manner.
- Utilized effective cost-cutting measures to reduce food and labor costs by 10% while maintaining the quality of food and service.
- Successfully implemented new menu items that increased customer satisfaction by 15%.
- Revised the scheduling system to maximize employee productivity and minimize overtime hours by 20%.
- Maximized profits through careful planning and execution of marketing campaigns targeted at key demographics.
Skills
- Menu Development
- Catering
- Food
- Food Safety
- Food And Beverage
- Culinary Skills
- Food Service
- Inventory Management
- Restaurants
Education
Bachelor of Science in Food Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary/objective is like an appetizer for the rest of your resume – it should be enticing and give the reader a taste of what is to come.
As a food service director, you will want to use your summary/objective to highlight your most impressive accomplishments and skills, such as reducing costs by X percent or increasing customer satisfaction ratings by X percent. You should also mention the type of foodservice operation you have experience managing (e.g., full-service restaurant, catering company, etc.).
Below are some resume summary examples:
Talented food service director with 12+ years of experience in the food industry, specializing in management and customer relations. Proven ability to increase sales and profits while reducing costs. Experienced in menu development, inventory management, staff training, and event planning. Seeking to use my skills and knowledge to improve the foodservice operation at ABC Company.
Skilled food service director with over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. In previous roles oversaw a team of up to 50+ employees, managed inventory and budgeting for cost-effective operations, created menus, and increased customer satisfaction by 15%. At DEF Hospitality Group, successfully launched 3 new restaurant concepts and achieved an average annual growth rate of 20%.
Dependable food service director with 5+ years of experience overseeing food production and staff in a high-volume kitchen. In previous roles, increased operational efficiency by 15% while maintaining quality standards. Seeking to join the team at ABC restaurant as the next food service director where I can utilize my expertise to streamline operations and improve the guest dining experience.
Detail-oriented food service director with 5+ years of experience in food and beverage management. At XYZ, managed a team of 35 cooks and servers while maintaining strict food quality standards. Implemented new menu items that increased customer satisfaction by 15%. Led the opening of two successful satellite kitchens, on time and under budget.
Proficient food service director with 6+ years of experience managing food production, quality control, and sanitation for restaurants. In previous roles increased customer satisfaction by 12% via creative menu design and improved operational efficiency by 15% through process improvement initiatives. Eager to join ABC restaurant group as the next food service director to continue driving exceptional guest experiences.
Seasoned food service director with experience in both the public and private sector. At XYZ, oversaw food production for a large hospital system with over 1000 beds. Successfully reduced costs by 10% while also increasing patient satisfaction scores by 3%. At ABC, directed food services for a prestigious boarding school, overseeing a team of 50+ employees. Implemented new menu options that increased student satisfaction by 5%.
Hard-working food service director with 7+ years of experience in food and beverage management. Efficiently oversees all aspects of food production, including menu development, kitchen staff supervision, inventory control, and cost-reduction initiatives. At XYZ Corporation, cut costs by 12% while increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 5%.
Reliable food service director with 8 years of experience in overseeing food production and distribution for large institutions. Skilled at managing budgets, developing cost-effective menus, and reducing waste. At XYZ Hospital, directed a team of 40+ employees while maintaining a $1.2 million budget. Reduced food costs by 11% through efficient inventory management and portion control initiatives.
Well-rounded food service director with 8+ years of experience managing all aspects of food service operations for large-scale organizations. In previous roles, increased revenue by 15% while reducing costs by 12%. Efficiently managed a team of 100+ employees and oversaw the development of 5 new menus. Seeking to leverage extensive experience to lead the food service team at ABC Corporation.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section, you provide details about your past jobs. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job listed first.
When giving information about what you did at each job, use bullet points primarily. This makes it easier for the reader to take in the information quickly. When writing each bullet point, make sure to include detail and explain what you did as well as any quantifiable results achieved.
For example, instead of saying “Managed a team of cooks,” you could say, “Successfully managed a team of 15 cooks by clearly delegating tasks, enforcing deadlines, and providing feedback.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Managed
- Supervised
- Trained
- Hired
- Scheduled
- Ordered
- Inspected
- Coordinated
- Negotiated
- Resolved
- Implemented
- Improved
- Maximized
- Monitored
- Decreased
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Streamlined food service operations, reducing labor costs by 15%.
- Mentored and trained new food service employees on proper safety and sanitation procedures.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores by 10%.
- Substantially increased sales of grab-and-go items by 20%.
- Implemented new menu items that generated an additional $5,000 in revenue per month.
- Compiled weekly work schedules for all food service employees, ensuring adequate coverage during peak hours and managing overtime shifts to stay within budget.
- Reduced the cost of ingredients by 10% through effective supplier negotiations and inventory management practices.
- Inspected kitchens regularly to ensure that they are clean, well-organized and meet all safety standards set by the company; resolved any issues promptly with minimal disruption to operations.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional and timely manner, always maintaining the highest level of satisfaction possible.
- Competently oversaw all aspects of food preparation, cooking and serving procedures in accordance with established guidelines; ensured that quality standards were met at all times.
- Implemented a new food service system that increased efficiency by 25%.
- Presented at a national conference on foodservice management and received rave reviews.
- Participated in a study on portion control that was published in a leading industry journal.
- Negotiated with suppliers to get a 20% discount on all food purchases.
- Independently created a training manual for new food service employees.
- Efficiently managed a food service team of 50+ employees, ensuring that all daily tasks were completed on time and within budget.
- Represented the food service department in weekly meetings with other hotel departments, communicating updates and sharing best practices.
- Scheduled employee shifts and managed vacation requests to ensure adequate coverage at all times; reduced labor costs by 5% last quarter.
- Structured menu offerings to meet customer demand and maximize profitability; increased average order value by $2 per table last month.
- Formulated new recipes for seasonal specials and promotional items, collaborating with the Executive Chef to create dishes that received positive feedback from guests.
- Supervised a team of 15 cooks and dishwashers, ensuring that all food was prepared and served in a timely manner.
- Achieved a 97% satisfaction rating from customers in the latest survey, up from 95% the previous quarter.
- Reorganized the kitchen layout to improve efficiency and reduce congestion during busy periods; this led to a 20% decrease in customer wait times.
- Introduced new menu items that were well-received by customers and increased sales by 5%.
- Actively participated in monthly safety meetings and helped to develop new policies that reduced the number of accidents in the kitchen by 25%.
- Meticulously managed food service for a team of 50+ employees, ensuring that all safety and sanitation guidelines were followed at all times.
- Optimized kitchen operations to reduce food waste by 20% and increase efficiency by 30%.
- Ordered supplies and managed inventory to ensure that the kitchen was always stocked with the necessary ingredients.
- Demonstrated excellent leadership skills by motivating employees and encouraging teamwork in order to achieve common goals.
- Provided outstanding customer service by resolving any complaints or issues in a timely and professional manner.
- Monitored food service operations for a team of 50+ employees, ensuring that all safety and sanitation guidelines were followed at all times.
- Prepared meals for up to 1,000 people per day, utilizing a variety of cooking techniques to produce a wide range of dishes.
- Effectively managed food and labor costs, reducing them by 5% last quarter; also developed new menu items that increased revenue by $1,500 per week.
- Hired and trained new kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques and food safety procedures; oversaw the development of their skills through regular evaluations and feedback sessions.
- Advised management on ways to improve food service operations, such as implementing new recipes or ordering different supplies; helped implement these changes successfully while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Facilitated the operations of a food service department with up to 50 employees and an annual budget of $2 million; created work schedules, assigned tasks and oversaw the completion of all projects.
- Expedited food production by implementing new cooking methods and ordering pre-cooked items from suppliers; decreased meal preparation time by 15 minutes on average.
- Diligently followed food safety guidelines when handling ingredients, preparing meals and serving customers; lowered food contamination incidents by 18%.
3. Skills
Skills required for food service directors will vary depending on the size and type of organization they work for. However, there are some skills that are essential for all food service directors, such as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, problem-solving abilities, etc.
It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job you apply for so that the employer can see at a glance that you have what it takes to excel in that particular role. You can further elaborate on your suitability for the job by discussing your relevant skills in other areas of your resume, such as the summary or experience section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Banquets
- Budgeting
- Catering
- Chef
- Coaching
- Cooking
- Cost Control
- Cuisine
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Management
- Culinary Skills
- Customer Satisfaction
- Customer Service
- Dietetics
- Event Management
- Event Planning
- Financial Management
- Fine Dining
- Food
- Food And Beverage
- Food Industry
- Food Preparation
- Food Quality
- Food Safety
- Food Science
- Food Service
- Food Service Business
- Food Service Consulting
- Food Service Education
- Food Service Equipment
- Food Service Industry
- Food Service Management
- Food Service Operations
- Food Service Research
- Food Service Sanitation
- Food Service Technology
- Food Service Trends
- HACCP
- Healthcare
- Hiring
- Hospitality
- Hospitality Industry
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resources
- Inventory Management
- Marketing
- Menu Development
- Nutrition
- Operations Management
- P&L
- Project Management
- Purchasing
- Recipes
- Restaurant Management
- Restaurants
- Retail
- Sales
- Sanitation
- ServSafe
- Staff Development
- Staff Management
- Teaching
- Time Management
4. Education
Adding an education section to your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, mention your education below your resume objective. On the other hand, if you’ve been working in food service for years and have plenty of responsibility and accomplishments to showcase, omitting an education section is perfectly fine.
If you do include an education section, list courses related to the food service director job you’re applying for. Examples might be “Courses included Food Preparation & Sanitation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Management” or “Completed a 3-month externship at a 5-star restaurant where I oversaw front-of-house operations.”
Bachelor of Science in Food Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications show a potential employer that you have put in the extra effort to be recognized as an expert in your field. This is especially important for food service directors, as certifications from professional organizations such as the National Restaurant Association can give you a significant advantage over other candidates.
Including these kinds of credentials in your resume will demonstrate to hiring managers that you are truly dedicated to your profession and that you possess the necessary skills to excel in the role.
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Susana McDermott, this would be Susana-McDermott-resume.pdf or Susana-McDermott-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter as part of your job application is highly recommended as it gives you the chance to elaborate on your skills and experience. A cover letter typically consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs, and should be separate from your resume.
When writing a cover letter, make sure to focus on why you believe you would be an excellent fit for the role. Personalize each letter as much as possible and avoid using generic phrases such as “I am the best candidate for this job.”
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Casey,
I am writing to apply for the position of Food Service Director at XYZ University. I am a food service professional with over 15 years of experience in the industry. In my current role as Food Service Director at ABC College, I oversee all aspects of food service operations for a student population of 5,000. I have experience managing large teams, overseeing budgets, and developing creative solutions to complex problems.
I am confident that I can bring my knowledge and expertise to XYZ University and contribute to your team in a meaningful way. I am eager to utilize my skillset to improve efficiency and quality in your food service operation. In addition, I am committed to creating a positive and inclusive working environment for all employees.
Please find attached my resume for your review. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this role further with you and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]