Download Now: Food Truck Manager Job Description Sample Template

Are you hiring for a food truck manager role? If you don’t have the time to write a proper job description, have no fear. I’ve drafted a sample template you can copy, paste, and edit to advertise the position. I walk you through each part of the role description including the expected salary for the position and possible interview questions you could ask applicants.

Check out our food truck manager job description template guide below:

• Introduction
• Job Description Summary
• Primary Responsibilities of Food Truck Managers
• Desired Skills / Role Requirements
• Download: Sample Job Description Template
• Questions to Ask During an Interview
• Average Salary Job Statistics

Introduction

Looking to hire for a food truck manager? Check out this job description sample.

A food truck manager will be the individual responsible for running the food truck business day to day. This includes overseeing the food service operations, making sure all the staff follows the business policies, ensuring sanitary food preparation, providing excellent customer service, managing inventory, overseeing quality control and abiding by the federal state rules of how a food truck business should operate in the area.

Admittedly, this is a challenging and complex job. The right candidate is someone that must be able to work in a fast paced environment, be able to cook everything in the menu, and safely drive a big food truck. Aside from these basics, the right food truck manager must have soft skill as well.

Food Truck Manager Job Description Summary

Here’s a job description summary.

To start, provide a summary of being a food truck manager. It offers the applicant a brief understanding of what the job description is. You don’t have to go into the specifics just yet since you’ll be providing those below.

Here is a sample job description you can follow:

The Moving Burger Project is looking to hire a responsible and passionate food truck manager. The responsibilities will include running the food operations and overseeing the staff. The manager will also see to it that everything is under the health and safety procedures of food preparation that’s fit under the federal state laws. The manager must also be a team player and a leader.

As you may have already noticed, the job description didn’t break down all the specific tasks the food truck manager must do. If you listed everything, it would become a quite lengthy description.

Primary Responsibilities of a Food Truck Manager

Here’s more information on your job description.

After writing down your summary, it’s time to list down the specific responsibilities that a food truck manager must have. Here is an example you can follow below in your own description:

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• Oversee food operations such as scheduling the staff and their days off, plotting out areas where to operate, and ensuring that all legal permits and licenses are up to date. The manager must also be able to fill in an employee’s position should there be a sudden absence.
• Train the staff in their respective roles.
• Must be able to safely drive and park a food truck or trailer.
• Ensure that all the staff is aware of the food preparation procedures and that they meet necessary sanitary requirements.
• Ensure the safety of the operations.
• Will be in charge of keeping the inventory and supplies up to date.
• Will be in charge of driving the truck and must open and close the food truck every time.
• Must be able to multi-task.
• Ensure all permits and licenses are up-to-date. 

This list of responsibilities could grow depending on the critical roles you want a food truck manager to have. Keeping these responsibilities simple but also very specific will be helpful so the applicants understand exactly what you need in this role.

Desired Skills / Role Requirements

Aside from their responsibilities, you’ll need a list of the desired skills and background experiences your food truck manager must have. Here is an example of desired traits of a food truck manager:

• Has finished high school education.
• Basic math for inventory and cashiering purposes.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Has experience in serving in a food business.
• Has a commercial driver’s license.
• Works well in a team.
• Is able to communicate with customers nicely and can handle their inquiries and comments.

Just like your list of responsibilities, this list of skills may grow depending business specific needs. For instance, some managers will also be required to be the driver of the truck so it’s important to require the applicant to have a driver’s license already.

Once you’re done with the summary, responsibilities, and skills, provide the following details about the role. These are important details for the applicant needs to understand before applying like whether or not the job is a full-time position and if there are benefits:

• Job type (full time or part-time)
• Schedule
• Salary rate
• Supplemental Pay
• Benefits
• Contact information

And then you’re done! You’ll have yourself a full-detailed food truck manager job description that’s ready to be posted online or distributed on flyers everywhere.

Sample Job Description Template for Food Truck Manager

Here is a free sample job description template you can copy, paste, and use for free. You may add or edit this job description to align with the expectations on your food truck.

The Moving Burger Project – Food Truck Manager Position

The Moving Burger Project is a small food truck business running since 2019. We’re all about letting customers craft their own burger experience from the type of buns, patties, toppings, and condiments. It’s a fun experience that has been well-received everywhere we go.

We are looking to hire a food truck manager to oversee the business operations. We need a responsible person on our team that’s passionate about managing a small team that can serve the best-tasting burger experience. The manager must be professional, energetic, and driven.

Food Truck Manager Job Responsibilities:

• In charge of opening and closing the business during operating hours.
• In charge of scheduling staff and plotting their days off. They will also be able to fill in their schedules should an emergency absence occurs.
• Will be checking the inventory regularly and also in charge of requesting supplies.
• Be able to train food preparation staff.
• Ensures griddles and food preparation tables are clean by the end of the day. Will also check gas lines and other equipment regularly.
• Will be conversing with customers and handle their inquiries and comments.
• Will have to double-check closing sales.
• Be able to drive the truck.
• Must be able to multi-task.

Skills and Experiences:

• Has finished high school education.
• Has at least 1-year experience in the food business.
• Is good with math for inventory and cashiering purposes.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Has a commercial driver’s license.
• Is a team player.
• Is able to communicate with customers nicely and can handle their inquiries and comments.

Job Type: Full Time

Schedule: Mondays to Saturdays; 9 am to 5 pm

Salary rate: $17 to $20 per hour

Supplemental Pay: Tips

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Food provided on workdays

Contact information: (insert both your email and number)

Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be a great food truck manager? Join us! Send us your resume on the email provided with the subject line “I’m Ready for the Moving Burger Project Experience!”

Questions to Ask During an Interview for This Role

Now that you’re done drafting the job description, it’s time for you to prepare interview questions for the applicants.

Related Reading: How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan – Download Template

Interviewing (either online or in-person) gives you a firsthand experience of what the candidate’s personality is like. You can also ask followup questions about their resume to double-check experience.

Here are a few questions you may ask them during the interview (questions below will be based on the fictional Moving Burger Project food truck business but you can alter these to fit your business):

1. Can you describe to me what a delicious burger is for you?
2. Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure? How did you handle it?
3. Your resume says you worked in a food business before. Can you tell me your role there and what were your responsibilities?
4. How would you deal with a negative and bad review from a customer?
5. Have you ever experienced a food-related problem at your past jobs and can you tell me how you were able to solve it?
6. What would be your solution if you notice a food item that’s not selling well?
7. Do you work well by yourself or with a team?
8. How would you handle disagreements or arguments between your team?
9. Why did you leave your last job?
10. What are your future plans and goals?

During the interview, you may observe how well they respond to your questions. Take note of how they present themselves as well, such as their enthusiasm in applying for the job, punctuality, and knowledge about food.

Remember to come up with your own questions related to the your food truck manager role as well. This person will be the face of your business in some circumstances to choosing the right applicant is extremely important.

Average Salary Job Statistics for Food Truck Managers

Salary statistics for this role.

The topic of salary will be brought up during the interview so it’s best to do your research on the matter such as the average salary job of a food truck manager in your area. Below are national salary statistics and other data about this role:

• According to Salary.com, the average hourly rate for a front of house manager (FOH) is $17 to $25. As for a food truck manager, Indeed says the average is $15 per hour. But the reality is, you’ll probably need to raise the salary above $15 for this role in most parts of the United States. There are discussions in the United States to bring the federal minimum wage to $15.00 per hour over the next few years. Another way to supplement a food truck managers salary would be to accept tips on the truck.
• According to the Bureau of Labor, the roles of a food service manager includes:
  • In-charge of hiring, overseeing, training, and even firing employees
  • The ones in charge of ordering supplies for restocking
  • Oversees the presentation, size portions, and preparation of food.
  • Inspects work areas and equipment
  • Makes sure employees comply with food safety and health standards
  • Faces customers regarding quality and service
  • In-charge of scheduling
  • Manages payroll records and budgets
  • Maintains the standards for customer service and personnel performance
• The food truck industry is expected to grow by 3.7% in the next five years. As the industry grows, more of these roles will become available. An estimated 31,251 people work in the food truck industry in the United States.
• Startup costs for a food truck is between $25,000 to $125,000.
• Food truck growth is surpassing restaurants with the former at 5.4% and the latter at 4.3%
• Food trucks have the advantage of being able to change their menu seasonally and satisfy customers’ preference over locally sourced ingredients, sustainability, and freshness.

With this guide on how to write a proper job description for a food truck manager, you’ll be on your way to finding the proper candidate to fill the role.

Also, don’t hire the first person that applies on the spot. Sit down and study each candidate who fits the role best before you decide on hiring one. I suggest waiting at least 24 hours before extending a job offer to any applicant so that you can reflect on the full list of people who applied for the role. Read our full food truck case study here if you want to learn more about running this type business.