What does an Assistant Manager do?
Assistant Managers may work in various settings, including offices, retail and food service. They help operations run smoothly by managing staff members, organizing schedules and communicating with customers.
Assistant Managers can also support employee satisfaction by advocating for the team and liaising between individual contributors and upper management. Assistant Managers can provide feedback to the management team to help shape changes that potentially improve the workplace.
Assistant Manager skills and qualifications
Assistant Managers generally help support their teams through soft skills, such as strong verbal communication, delegation and mediation, problem-solving and critical thinking.
To be successful, a candidate may also need these skills and qualifications, including:
- Performance management, including conducting effective employee performance reviews
- Technical capabilities to utilize software programs, such as point of sale (POS) systems or customer relationship management (CRM software)
- Familiarity with time management tools, such as QuickBooks Time or Shiftboard
- Ability to assess coverage and approve time-off requests, including sick, personal or bereavement leave and vacation time
- Inventory management skills to prevent stock shortages
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace to handle admin tasks
- Interpersonal and communication skills to lead a team of workers
Assistant Manager experience requirements
Assistant Managers may have several years of experience in a particular industry or in supervisory roles. For example, workers in a warehouse setting might progress to a Shift Supervisor or Team Leader to gain skills before becoming an Assistant Manager.
Industry experience can help candidates understand how to handle common situations and regulations. For example, Assistant Managers in the food industry may need to be familiar with regulations for storing food safely, such as proper refrigeration temperatures or packaging materials.
Assistant Manager education and training requirements
Formal education isn’t required for Assistant Managers, making the role a great option for skills-first hiring. In most industries, employees can advance as they gain experience on the job. You might look for applicants with skills or knowledge related to your industry.
For example, if you’re hiring a Retail Assistant Manager, consider recruiting candidates familiar with average transaction value. Assistant Managers in an office setting may benefit from customer service skills.
Assistant Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Assistant Manager is $17.30 per hour. This rate can vary based on the industry, specific job duties, location, company and candidate experience.
Assistant Manager salary expectations
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Assistant Manager job description FAQs
What should you look for in an Assistant Manager’s resume?
A strong candidate for an Assistant Manager position often has experience in a related industry. For example, a Bakery Assistant Manager might have experience in hospitality or a similar food service facility. In addition to industry knowledge, a candidate might highlight their strong customer service skills, organization and ability to work as part of a team.
Previous supervisory or managerial experience in any industry may also be helpful.
Does an Assistant Manager’s job duties vary based on the industry?
While all Assistant Managers typically oversee the daily operations of a company, their actual responsibilities can vary depending on the employer and industry. Assistant Managers working for a retail company might order products, manage the inventory, set up store displays and handle cash from the store. In a restaurant, the Assistant Manager might help prepare food during busy times and visit tables to ensure customers are satisfied with their meals.
Who does an Assistant Manager work with?
Several people may report to Assistant Managers, including Store Associates, Salespeople, Bookkeepers and Custodians. Depending on the business structure, Assistant Managers typically report directly to the Department Manager. They might also report to or work closely with General Managers, Regional Managers, Directors and business owners.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
 
     
         
                 
                