Starting pay 19.00 an hour/Starting
Benefits:
Along with competitive pay, a Shift Manager at a McDonald’s owner operator restaurant is eligible for incredible benefits including:
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Performance Based Bonus Program.
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Paid vacation
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Education through Archways to Opportunity including opportunities to earn a High School degree, college tuition assistance and English classes as a second language
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Medical, dental and vision coverage
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Short- and Long-Term Disability, life and accident insurance
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Service awards
Description:
Position Overview
The Department Manager role is a senior-level management position responsible for leading one of the core restaurant departments: Guest Service, Kitchen, or People. Department Managers play a critical part in helping the restaurant achieve its goals by leading shifts, managing assigned systems, developing staff, and improving department results.
Department Managers are expected to operate at a high level of leadership, professionalism, and accountability. This position requires a strong understanding of restaurant operations, McDonald’s systems, and the ability to coach, lead, and influence others consistently.
Essential Responsibilities
Department Managers lead in two major areas:
1. Leading Shifts (All Department Managers)
- Ensure every customer receives fast, accurate, friendly service.
- Complete pre-shift checklists, communicate shift targets, and manage from the observation post.
- Conduct travel paths every 30 minutes and adjust crew positioning as needed.
- Coach and train crew and shift managers during the shift.
- Ensure food safety and quality checks are completed.
- Support Shift Leaders during peak times.
- Maintain safe, secure, profitable shifts.
2. Leading Their Assigned Department
Department Managers own and improve their department each week. Responsibilities include:
Guest Service Department Manager
- Ensure exceptional customer experience across Front Counter, Drive-Thru, Curbside, McCafé.
- Ensure promotions, merchandising, and LSM activities are executed properly.
- Train service staff and ensure service procedures are followed.
- Track service metrics such as Speed, Friendliness, and Accuracy.
- Conduct weekly department walk-throughs and implement action plans.
Kitchen Department Manager
- Ensure high food quality, safety, and fast production.
- Monitor and control food cost, inventory processes, and waste.
- Train kitchen staff on production systems, new products, and safety procedures.
- Maintain VCMS/R2D2 charts and ensure processes are followed daily.
- Track key targets like Food Over Base, KVS times, and quality scores.
People Department Manager/People Experience Lead
- Ensure the restaurant hires, trains, and develops a well-prepared team.
- Manage training plans, SOC tracking, and Crew Trainer staffing levels.
- Maintain labor schedules to meet restaurant sales and profit goals.
- Ensure ongoing recognition, motivation, and retention efforts.
- Organize and execute people activities set by the organization or planned by the team.
- Develops listening survey action plans and works with the leadership to gain results.
Other System Responsibilities
(All Department Managers contribute as described in the McDonald’s leadership system.)
- Food Safety: Maintain compliance, complete monthly checklists, support inspections.
- Inventory Management: Support ordering accuracy, stock rotation, and cost control.
- People Practices: Conduct performance reviews, coach team members, support hiring.
- Safety & Security: Lead safety audits, follow up on incidents, maintain secure operations.
- Maintenance: Verify daily/weekly cleaning tasks and planned maintenance tasks.
- Training (Crew & Management): Oversee SOCs, development plans, training completion.
- Business Planning: Track department progress, present results, and build action plans.
Leadership Behaviors
Department Managers are expected to demonstrate McDonald’s leadership behaviors consistently:
- Puts the Customer First – Role models outstanding service every day.
- Supports Change – Encourages and helps others adopt new procedures or systems.
- Influences by Example – Displays a strong work ethic and consistent results.
- Organizes the Work – Delegates effectively and follows up with accountability.
- Plans Beyond the Shift – Uses data, trends, and observations to drive improvement.
- Builds Teamwork – Recognizes team accomplishments and promotes strong collaboration.
- Communicates Effectively & Honestly – Communicates clearly, directly, and professionally.
- Develops Crew & Managers – Coaches others and supports their development plans.
Availability Requirements
Department Managers must maintain open availability, including:
- Ability to work early mornings, days, nights, and closes
- Weekend and holiday availability
- Flexibility to support business needs
- Ability to attend required meetings and trainings
This is a senior management role, and availability expectations are significantly higher than Swing Manager or Floor Supervisor roles.
Qualifications
Candidates for Department Manager must:
- Be in good standing with the Karpinske/Newman Organization.
- Have strong leadership experience and proven performance as a Shift Manager.
- Demonstrate high dependability, professionalism, and strong communication.
- Understand all McDonald’s operational systems and training procedures.
- Be ServSafe or McDonald’s Food Safety Certified.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities and build effective teams.
- Have completed all required shift management training and certifications.
- Display consistent results in departmental performance and leadership metrics.
Performance Reviews & Expectations
Department Manager performance reviews focus on the results of their department, including:
- Service or production targets
- Department-level turnover
- Food safety compliance
- Labor management
- Operational review results
- Training completion and development of staff
- Progress toward weekly/monthly scorecard goals
- Performance reviews may impact:
- Pay rate
- Bonus or incentives (if applicable)
- Advancement opportunities
- Department ownership and responsibilities
- High performance is expected consistently at this level.
Appearance & Policy Expectations
Department Managers must uphold the highest standards, serving as role models for the team:
- Uniform must be clean, complete, and professional.
- Grooming must follow McDonald's food safety and brand standards.
- Must comply with all policies including labor laws, food safety, workplace safety, and organizational rules.
