Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

The Work

As a catering supervisor, you oversee the work of catering assistants and regularly brief them to ensure they are familiar with the menu and support the catering manager in creating shift rotas. You liaise with kitchen staff to ensure that customers are served in a timely manner, and you need to make sure that any seating areas are well presented and that tables are cleared swiftly.

You will often also perform hands-on tasks such as greeting customers, taking their orders and handling payments. You may also be expected to maximise sales by promoting specific produce.

Supervisors work closely with, and assist the catering manager in dealing with customer complaints and ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the catering service.

The supervisor needs to ensure that staff members are well presented before each service and that all staff maintain and adhere to health and safety procedures.

There are two main types of catering: event catering which includes conferences and weddings for example; and catering establishments, which can be anything from a healthcare or education setting, to a golf club.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Perform various financial activities, such as cash handling, deposit preparation, and payroll.
• Resolve customer complaints regarding food service.
• Compile and balance cash receipts at the end of the day or shift.
• Present bills and accept payments.
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.
• Perform food preparation and serving duties, such as carving meat, preparing flambe dishes, or serving wine and liquor.
• Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Supervise and participate in kitchen and dining area cleaning activities.
• Perform personnel actions, such as hiring and firing staff, providing employee orientation and training, and conducting supervisory activities, such as creating work schedules or organising employee time sheets.
• Control inventories of food, equipment, smallware, and liquor, and report shortages to designated personnel.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

You will need quite a lot of relevant work experience to be considered for a Catering Supervisor position. Although an academic qualification can boost your chances of getting the job, it is not always required.

Typically, catering managers have experience from working in the hospitality sector, you can begin in a waiting or front of house role before working your way up to supervisor, assistant manager and then to, Catering Supervisor, and a Catering Manager. As you work your way up, you may have to study for appropriate qualifications.

Degrees in restaurant and hospitality management are the most common, where you can expect to study both general business courses and specialised hospitality courses.

Training can also help you progress in your career and is sometimes offered by employers. There are also both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and hospitality which can support your as you progress.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: barista & service skills in Hospitality, customer service, supervisory management NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Business management, Culinary Arts NFQ Level 5-6 
Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Culinary skills, Sales & Recruitment Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality management, Travel & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Business & Customer care Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Please note that to work in catering in the public health system (HSE), there is a catering officer grading system in place. Click to read about the HSE eligibility criteria for catering staff.

Most employers require any staff handling, storing or serving food to have HACCP/Food safety training completed. HACCP training is generally part of any chef training, but can also be accessed through some employers or other training providers. See more here.

As a catering manager, you can develop your career further by progressing to manage more than one catering establishment, or a restaurant, or you may even decide to open your own catering business.

Your best chance to progress on from a restaurant manager position is by building up experience and by undertaking additional qualifications and training. There are also postgraduate degrees in hospitality management which can help you progress in your career.

Professional organisations sometimes offer training or promote training providers, so check out organisations such as the Restaurants Association of Ireland or the Catering Management Association of Ireland.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €38k

Salaries may vary by employer, location, shift pattern, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel / Indeed / Salary Band / Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers were too small for a detailed analysis of employment for this occupation although the Recruitment Agency Survey indicated difficulty in filling vacancies for bar and events managers.

• the Catering Management Association of Ireland

  • Click Here

• Food Safety Authority of Ireland

  • https://fsai.ie/
  • 1890 33 66 77
  • Click Here

• Irish Hospitality Institute

  • 12 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Rd, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 662 4790
  • Click Here

• Restaurant's Association of Ireland

  • 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8
  • 01 6779901
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• the Irish Organic Association (IOA)

  • http://www.irishorganicassociation.ie/about/
  • 090 6433680
  • [email protected]