How to become a bar and catering supervisor

Official title: Bar and catering supervisors

Also called: Bar supervisor, Bar team leader, Cafe supervisor, Unit supervisor, Canteen supervisor, Kitchen supervisor, Catering supervisor, Catering team leader, Restaurant supervisor, Hospitality supervisor, Dining room supervisor, Coffee shop supervisor

Bar and catering supervisors oversee operations and directly supervise and coordinate the activities of those working in the catering industry, in bars, restaurants and other establishments.

Main tasks

• Directly supervises and coordinates the activities of bar, waiting and catering staff
• Establishes and monitors work schedules to meet the organisation’s requirements
• Liaises with managers and other senior staff to resolve operational problems
• Determines or recommends staffing and other needs to meet the organisation’s requirements
• Reports as required to managerial staff on work-related matters

How to become one

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Entrants will normally have significant relevant work experience. A variety of qualifications in hospitality and catering are available.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £26,019 a year The middle half earn £22,643 to £29,825.
• About 61,400 people work in this job now, and about 59,100 are projected by 2035. (-3.7%)

Related jobs

• Hospital porters
• Kitchen and catering assistants
• Waiters and waitresses
• Bar staff
• Coffee shop workers
• Leisure and theme park attendants

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Questions people ask

How do I become a bar and catering supervisor?

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Entrants will normally have significant relevant work experience. A variety of qualifications in hospitality and catering are available.

How much does a bar and catering supervisor earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £26,019 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £22,643 to £29,825.

Is a bar and catering supervisor a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to fall 4% by 2035, from about 61,400 to about 59,100 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become a bar and catering supervisor?

Not always. 30% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03