Image Source: dailytelegraph.com.au
It’s not the easiest job in the food service business mainly because customers are literally “in your face” waiting for their food and expecting something spectacular. Most customers immediately give their feedback through non-verbal messages like a frown, smile, or a “Oh, yeah!” In addition to dealing with all kinds of customers, a food truck manager also has to work in such limited space together with one or two other people. Each day can be extremely hectic and demanding. To break down the role of a food truck manager for those interested in opening their own food truck or planning on hiring a person to run their food truck business, here are some of the critical responsibilities needed for the smooth operations and a higher chance of getting your ROI back sooner.
A food truck manager has to have detailed boundaries and responsibilities. There should be no finger-pointing after a crisis because almost all accountability lies with the manager. The general primary duties are:
- Daily operations of the food truck from staff coming in to work to sufficient supplies in the food truck. The manager should also guarantee the freshness of the food, sanitation of the truck and food served, and the security of the employees.
- Compliance with local, state, and national laws
- Keep required records of all business transactions including inventory, personnel, expenses, daily income, and number of meals sold
- Be willing to step in and help staff serve, cook, or accept payment provided there is proper turnover and accountability. For instance, having two cashiers at the time may led to shortage if the 2 cashiers have different working styles or procedures. This can be avoided with instructions on exact cashiering duties.
- Make suggestions on menu changes
- Supervise daily cleaning of the food truck
- Hire and fire employees
The secondary duties of a food truck manager include the following:
- Reporting to the owner any untoward incident or problem including potential problems
- Seeing the job as more than about daily operations. A food truck manager should also make suggestions on how the business can expand and grow.
- Keep track of the dates and schedules for government reports and payments as well as the personnel records such as who is on probation, giving staff feedback about their work and performance, and suggesting staff movements such as firing or promoting
A lot rests on the food truck manager and if this person is not the owner of the food truck, then it is the responsibility of the owner to monitor the movements and activities of the manager. Keep in mind that having a load of responsibility can also lead to temptations to conduct some monkey business for personal gain.