Food Service Supervisors

(NOC 6311)

in All Sales and Service

Food service supervisors, supervise, direct, and coordinate the activities of workers who prepare, portion, and serve food. They work for hospitals and other health care institutions and by cafeterias, catering companies and other food service organizations.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 510 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Vacancies in this occupation are often filled through internal promotions. However, due to the shortage of workers in the food services industry, public job postings have become more common. Some employers are willing to hire new employees in a lower occupation, such as server or food counter attendant, with the intention of training for a supervisor role. Opportunities are abundant throughout the province, though hours may be part-time or irregular.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$29.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,667

Minimum

$20,562

Median

$34,294

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Food service supervisors, supervise, direct, and coordinate the activities of workers who prepare, portion, and serve food. They work for hospitals and other health care institutions and by cafeterias, catering companies and other food service organizations.

Job duties

Food service supervisors:

  • Supervise, coordinate, and schedule the activities of staff that prepare, portion, and serve food.
  • Estimate and order ingredients and supplies required for meal preparation.
  • Prepare food order summaries for chef according to requests from dieticians, patients in hospitals or other customers.
  • Create ways to meet work schedules.
  • Maintain records of stock, repairs, sales, and wastage.
  • Train staff in job duties, and sanitation and safety procedures.
  • Supervise and check assembly of regular and special diet trays and delivery of food trolleys to hospital patients.
  • Make sure that food and service meet quality control standards.
  • May participate in the selection of food service staff and assist in the development of policies, procedures, and budgets.
  • May plan cafeteria menus and determine related food and labour costs.

Sample job titles

  • cafeteria supervisor
  • catering supervisor
  • food service supervisor
  • hospital food service supervisor
  • shift manager, fast food restaurant
  • unit supervisor - food services

Skills

  • Supervisory, organizational, leadership, and effective communications skills are essential. You must be observant, responsible, and able to enforce rules and regulations. As supervisor, you will be required to resolve problems and address the concerns of unhappy customers. Services, product lines and sales methods may change frequently. You must be prepared to keep informed and adapt to change.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • A community college program in food service administration, hotel and restaurant management or related discipline or several years of experience in food preparation or service are required.

Other considerations

  • Employment opportunities are likely to be affected by economic conditions in the area, rising as the economy improves and falling when it declines. People in these jobs should be prepared to keep up with changes in product lines and sales methods. Annual incomes will depend upon many factors, including the product being sold, industry, location, qualifications, and the number of staff being supervised.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,325

employed in 2016

78.1%

employed full-time

0.8%

self employed

78.1%
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21.9%
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30.4

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

45.7%

Halifax

$20,382 median annual income
16.2%

North Shore

$21,640 median annual income
15.8%

Cape Breton

$20,438 median annual income
15.1%

Annapolis Valley

$21,700 median annual income
7.2%

Southern

$19,440 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

90.1%

Accommodation and food services

6.5%

Health care and social assistance

1.3%

Retail trade

1.3%

Manufacturing

0.9%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

What is the age of Employment?

34.0%

15-24

25.0%

25-34

20.0%

35-44

11.0%

45-54

9.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

49.1%

High school

$19,781 median annual income
16.6%

College Diploma

$20,390 median annual income
15.1%

Bachelor

$25,841 median annual income
14.0%

Less than high school

$18,954 median annual income
3.4%

Trade Certification

$27,332 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Canadian Society of Nutrition Management
Toronto, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.