Department Manager

Starting pay: $19.00 an hour

Benefits

• Performance Based Bonus Program
• Paid vacation
• Education through Archways to Opportunity including opportunities to earn a High School degree, college tuition assistance, and English classes as a second language
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short- and Long-Term Disability, life, and accident insurance
• Service awards

About the Role

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. This position requires a strong understanding of restaurant operations, McDonald’s systems, and the ability to coach, lead, and influence others consistently.

Responsibilities

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

Leading Their Assigned Department

Guest Service Department Manager

• Ensure exceptional customer experience across Front Counter, Drive-Thru, Curbside, and 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
• Develop listening survey action plans and work with the leadership to gain results

Other System Responsibilities (All Department Managers)

• 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

• 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

Schedule

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.

Requirements

• 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

• 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