Shift Manager Job Description: Create a Job Posting That Gets Results (+ Template)

As a business owner, you know that shift managers keep operations running smoothly and keep your team together. If you’re looking to hire, your shift manager job description needs to cover all the important aspects of the role.

Understanding the shift manager definition is crucial. Think of the shift manager as a jack of all trades: the role involves overseeing frontline operations, ensuring effective communication between site management and frontline workers, and maintaining the seamless functioning of the company’s operations.

You want someone who will be there to help all frontline employees and keep customers happy. But managing others requires a unique set of skills. What are those skills, and how do you screen candidates for them?

This guide tells you all you need to know, from shift manager responsibilities to what to put in your shift manager job description. In fact, we’re so committed to helping you find your new shift manager that we’ve even created a shift manager job description template for you to download and customize to fit the needs of your operation.

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

What is a shift manager?

In brief, the shift manager oversees the daily operations of your business and ensures everything runs smoothly. As the on-site supervisor, a shift manager’s responsibilities include managing employees to monitoring performance. An effective shift manager efficiently motivates employees and runs operations by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and fostering a positive work environment.

In other words, it’s a leadership role! Note that a shift manager needs people skills on all kinds of fronts: they’re also likely to handle customer issues that come up in the course of business. Your team will look up to the shift manager for guidance and formal training on how to handle thorny issues, so you’ll also want someone who’s good under pressure.

Finally, being a shift manager means knowing the industry well. That’s what makes it possible to keep the business going. Of course, given all these responsibilities, you’ll want someone who’s a strong multitasker to make sure no one’s dropping any balls.

To sum up, shift managers are the strong link between different parts of your business: they link customers with team members, team members with managers. They’re strong communicators, good teachers, and savvy to boot.

It’s not a small ask! But craft your shift manager job description the right way and you’re sure to attract enthusiastic candidates who tick most—if not all—of these boxes.

What are shift manager duties?

Shift manager responsibilities may vary from business to business. For example, a restaurant shift leader job description might cover specific needs related to food safety, while a retail shift leader job description might ask for more experience with inventory.

No matter your business structure, shift managers will have many similar duties. These likely include:

• Supervise staff activities and performance
• Delegate tasks and workloads to team members
• Serving as the point person for any customer complaints or issues
• Providing on-the-spot training and feedback
• Managing opening and closing processes
• Communicating updates between shifts
• Scheduling and shift swap requests
• Inventory management

This is a role that demands communication, organization, and problem-solving. Shift managers are also leaders for your team members. Hiring someone strategic and organized may set an example for your whole team and create echo effects throughout the whole business!

What to look for in a shift manager.

When looking for an effective manager, it’s crucial to attract the right candidates. They need to have the right mix of skills, experience, and outlook. Excellent interpersonal skills, experience working in your business’s niche, and the ability to multitask are essential for a successful shift manager.

1. Proven experience.

You want someone who has effectively managed teams before. This will empower them to step into the role comfortably. They should be able to describe how they’ve motivated staff and held performance standards.

The average age of a shift leader is 36 years old. This means that most of the time, they will have many years of work experience under their belt before they take on a supervisory role like this one. Be sure to assess their resumes accordingly.

2. People skills.

Communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback to the members of your team are both essential skills for this role. Candidates should have a track record of working well with others. Don’t be shy to ask for references from people your candidate has managed before to see what they have to say.

3. A good attitude.

Things can get chaotic during a busy shift. You need a level-headed leader who doesn’t get frazzled under pressure. Look for clues on your candidate’s resume that show they have the right attitude for the expectations of the job. For example, if they have a history of receiving promotions on the job, that could be a sign of growth, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

The interview will be your main opportunity to assess their attitude. We delve into some sample interview questions to help screen for this below.

4. Strategic decision-making.

Every day is different in business. That’s why it’s important to look for creative thinkers. You want shift managers who have the ability to look at different paths toward solving a problem and determine the best course of action. It may even be more complicated than that: depending on your business’s niche, you may even want to screen for someone who knows how to address several problems that all arise at once.

Your next shift manager should also be adept at handling unforeseen challenges. That means assessing the situation, involving team members in the problem-solving process, and executing strongly reasoned solutions.

5. Multitasking.

Does your team have a lot going on at any given time? If so, they need someone who can multitask to support them. Your shift manager may need to be able to work with a new employee and manage a customer’s concern at the same time (great learning opportunity!). Additionally, they should monitor stock levels and maintain adequate inventory levels to avoid disruptions in restaurant operations and maintain customer service.

If you find multiple people who check these boxes, think about building a database of qualified shift manager candidates. Even after a hire, keep in contact with standout prospects. They may become valuable contacts or additions to your team later on.

Interview questions to ask your next shift manager.

Once you have a pool of promising shift manager candidates, it’s time to evaluate their skills. But how do you screen for soft skills like “people person” and “good at prioritizing”? 

We’ve put together a list of the kinds of questions to ask when evaluating the candidate’s understanding of shift manager duties. Here are some ways to screen for the skills you need—and to learn something about your candidates in the process.

1. Tell me about a time you helped a team member improve their skills.

This question screens for important shift manager skills, including team support, teaching skills, and interpersonal strengths. The beauty of this question is that it doesn’t need to be in a shift manager capacity. Encourage candidates without managerial experience to talk about times they showed managerial initiative by sharing skills and supporting their team member.

Listen for clear examples that showcase their leadership and coaching. You need someone who has the ability to get the best from others. An ideal hire will also know how to provide constructive feedback, and will reflect that skill in their answer. Additionally, ensure they understand the importance of conducting training sessions and covering safety protocols as appropriate for your business.

Similar questions to ask might include:

• How would past direct reports describe you?
• What can our team expect to learn from you?
• Say there’s a member on your team with a long history of performing a particular task poorly, no matter how anyone helps them. How would you approach that issue?

2. Walk me through the last chaotic, high-pressure shift you worked. How did you approach it?

This question reveals the candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills under stress. You want someone who can stay calm and prioritize effectively. After all, a good shift manager needs to be able to make smart decisions in the chaos of a busy shift and keep everyone—team and customer alike—happy in the process.

Try asking these questions to screen for similar skills:

• Say the computer system is down, a team member is crying in the back room, and a customer is making demands—and loudly. Which issue do you address first and why?
• Tell me how you prepare for a rush.
• Three people were scheduled for a Saturday shift—but all three called in sick. How would you handle this?

3. Tell me about a time you made a customer smile. What contributed to that moment?

Their response should highlight a focus on customer experience and driving loyalty. The best shift managers take pride in helping customers to resolve problems. Among other things, when the rest of your team observes how your shift manager treats customers, they’ll draw inspiration and become better customer service processionals.

Other questions to ask might include:

• Tell me about a manager that really made an impact on you. What made their managerial style so effective? How do you bring that inspiration into your work?
• Tell me about a particularly ornery customer you had. How did you respond to them and help them on their way?
• What’s your philosophy on “the customer’s always right”?

4. Walk me through your inventory process, start to finish.

This is a particularly important question if inventory management is an aspect of the position. After all, your inventory is what makes your business a business! You want to be sure your shift manager will ensure your business’s goods are stocked and organized. Understanding just how they’ll do that is pretty important to assessing their fit for the role.

If your shift manager won’t deal with inventory, you may still want to know their attitude toward the product or service your business sells. Try altering aspects of these questions to screen for the detail-orientation you’re looking for:

• How do you typically cash out a till?
• Say you’re standing at the till and looking out over the floor during a lull. What are you looking for, and what actions do you take?
• In your opinion, how should product be organized and why?

5. Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict at work.

We’ve said it before, but that’s because it’s important: more than anything else, you need shift managers with interpersonal skills. Your candidate may answer this question using an example involving themselves in conflict with a coworker, or they might describe how they resolved a conflict between two coworkers. Either way, their answer can give you important information about how professionally they handle thorny conversations.

To assess interpersonal skills, you might also ask:

• How would you describe your managerial style in just three words?
• Tell me about a time you felt you had to hold firm with a member of your team. What were the circumstances, and how did they respond?
• Say a major mistake was made on a shift, but none of your team will own up to it. How would you approach this?

A shift manager job description template, just for you.

Ready to hire your next shift manager? We’ve created a sample job description to help you narrow down shift manager job responsibilities to hire for and attract great candidates.

Feel free to copy, paste, and customize our description below, or use it as inspiration for your own. Just remember to customize it to fit the needs of your job opening and establishment!

We’re looking for our next shift manager!

Our restaurant is seeking a skilled and motivated shift manager to join our team. As a shift manager, you will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, leading and motivating staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency during your shift.

Our shift managers play a crucial role in the success of our business, bridging the gap between upper management and frontline staff. If you’re looking for a challenging leadership role in a fast-paced environment, you might be just the shift manager we’re looking for.

What you’ll do: Duties & responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate staff activities during your shift
• Ensure smooth operations and high-quality customer service
• Manage employee schedules and assign tasks efficiently
• Handle customer complaints and resolve issues promptly
• Monitor inventory levels and place orders as needed
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations
• Train and mentor new employees
• Implement and enforce company policies and procedures
• Assist in hiring and performance evaluations of staff
• Manage cash handling and end-of-shift reconciliations
• Communicate effectively with upper management about shift performance and any issues

Who you are

• Experienced: You have prior experience in a supervisory role in a similar industry
• Leader: You can motivate and guide a team effectively
• Problem-solver: You can think on your feet and handle unexpected situations
• Customer-focused: You understand the importance of customer satisfaction
• Organized: You can manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
• Communicator: You have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Adaptable: You can work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Detail-oriented: You ensure all aspects of the operation run smoothly

Who we are: What to expect

• We value strong leadership and empower our managers to make decisions
• We prioritize both employee satisfaction and customer experience
• Our team meetings focus on continuous improvement and problem-solving
• We offer competitive compensation and opportunities for career advancement
• We provide ongoing training and support to help you succeed in your role

Additional competencies

In addition to being a strong leader, organized, and customer-oriented, a shift manager must be able to meet the following skill-based responsibilities to be a great match for this position:

• Excellent time management and multitasking abilities
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure
• Proficiency in point-of-sale systems and basic computer applications
• Understanding of labor laws and scheduling practices
• Ability to analyze sales data and implement strategies to improve performance
• Strong conflict-resolution and team-building skills
• Knowledge of inventory management and cost control
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and clean work environment
• Flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and priorities

How to apply, and what happens next

[Include specific application instructions and next steps in the hiring process]

And in case you prefer a download, here’s a Word version of the template!

How Homebase helps streamline shift management.

Even for experienced professionals, the shift manager role is a juggling act. That’s where a platform like Homebase can make all the difference. Take a look at these features that can help you find the right talent, then simplify a shift manager’s day-to-day duties.

Job posting

With the Homebase Hiring app, small business owners and hiring managers can add each job post to virtually every top online job board and free job posting sites, including Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Google, Trovit, and GlassDoor.

You can even use screening questions to make the vetting process easier. Up to 3 questions can be attached to a job post. Applicants can respond to these questions when they apply to the job post.

Interviewing and onboarding assistance

As applications roll in, review candidate profiles and responses to customized application questions on your Homebase dashboard. You can filter prospects and focus your hiring efforts with just a few clicks.

Then, message the applicants and schedule interviews through the Homebase dashboard. Our free interview scoring template helps keep you organized and efficient. All the information you need is in one place. 

Once you’ve made your hiring decision, onboarding becomes a breeze with Homebase’s digital document management. Use our file-sharing system to send your new hire an employee onboarding packet that includes all the documents they have to sign.

Easy scheduling and time tracking

Homebase’s scheduling module allows you to configure recurring shifts and time off. These support smarter scheduling. You can also identify and resolve overlaps or conflicts. Powerful reporting dashboards let you filter timesheets by employee, location, or department.

Our platform automates hour tracking too. This happens via web-based clocks, mobile apps, tablet kiosks, or secure text/Slack integrations. Homebase uses geofencing, IP tracking, and photo capture to create a verifiable, tamper-resistant record.

By consolidating tasks like this into one user-friendly platform, shift managers regain hours of productive time. They can spend less time on admin and more time leading your team members. 

Simple team communications

When you have to deal with multiple phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts for all your employees, it’s impossible to know how to get in touch with anyone quickly. Homebase solves this problem.

Newly hired shift managers can immediately access important communication tools right away. Homebase simplifies administrative work so you can concentrate on all the other tasks that keep business going. 

Labor management insights

Keeping labor costs under control is crucial for success. With the right insights, you can make sure your team is always the right size. With real-time labor cost tracking and overtime alerts, Homebase helps you make informed decisions.

For example, you can make schedule changes anytime to adjust to your business needs. Need coverage for a night shift? Message available team members when you need to fill a shift quickly, so you can fill those gaps. 

Get your shift manager job description out to the right talent.

Understanding the responsibilities and skills required for a shift manager will set your team up for success. Look for individuals with leadership experience and those who pay attention to the details. 

Streamline hiring with Homebase and get your new shift managers up and running. Even better—Homebase can increase your job ad visibility with boosts. Add tools for interviewing and onboarding future employees and make Homebase your all-in-one hiring solution.

Learn more about our free recruiting software here.