Assistant Manager Review

I am second in charge of a £5million restaurant. I am in charge is staff scheduling and training. I support my business manager by tracking discipline and reviewing ordering proposals. I run shifts to ensure the business is meeting KPI’s of speed of service, food cost, and labour spend.

I have become more confident in presenting evidence to my peers. Before this course I was really nervous about presentations and public speaking. This course has really helped me to improve in this aspect. I have also improved my knowledge of marketing and financial information. My business sector knowledge has improved as well.

I really, really enjoy my programme. My lecturers are really knowledgeable and friendly about the subjects they teach. They make an effort to understand our company and our role. I always feel engaged and come back home feeling like I have learnt new things that will benefit me in my role.

Very well structured. The weekly tasks help complete our main unit assignments. Contact details are provided and we are always able to reach out for guidance. The programme leader always stops in to say hello and welcome us back to the university every time we are here. The programme is well laid out and you can view the units and how they add up in the degree.

Not a lot of support. My direct manager is really supportive. If I ask for help I get given it, but no one checks in on me and asks about how my apprenticeship is going. They seem pleased I am doing it and always point out at AGMs that they have a level 6 apprentice. But they don’t really understand or care how hard it can be to balance full time work, a degree and basic tasks such as sleeping and trying to be sociable.

We get so much support from the training provider. My tutor Fiona is so so amazing. I can’t express how incredible she is in her role. She is available all the time and always helps motivate me and keep me going. She is incredibly organised and books reviews 3 months in advance. She is a huge asset to MMU.

All of the units are useful to better understand the business and the industry it’s in. Some of the units are really very relevant such as finance. Other units such as marketing cover things we have no control over as we don’t work in head office and have control over these things.

No, there are not. Sometimes they advertise football. They have crew parties occasionally but not everyone is able to attend them. Networking events would be really good. Head office do put on some events but they have never been available for me to attend. There are no extra activities or teams.

No

It can be a very challenging and demanding place to work. The teams are great but there is a lot of pressure. McDonald’s advertises the company as being flexible around hours and offers people 8-4s. But I’m reality you will not get promoted if you are not full time. You are expected to be available at all times, including nights off and weekends. You cannot leave your work at work.

Make sure to try and create a good work life balance straight away. Work hard when you are there, but plan time off to look after yourself.