Perception of Leadership Profile of Nutritionist Manager in Food and Nutrition Units

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perception of Nutrition Managers of Third Food and Nutrition Units regarding their leadership profile and their leadership in relation to their leaders.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study, in which 45 employees and 18 nutritionists from eight industrial restaurants of a collective meal company participated. For the data collection, questionnaires were used and applied to the operational staff of the restaurants and to the nutritionist managers. The study population was characterized by a database of the company’s Human Resources department. The data were analyzed descriptively and the results were presented through their frequencies.

Results: Most interviewed employees perceive that their nutritionist managers have the characteristics of leadership. From nutritionists’ assessments around their leadership profile, thirteen proved to be good leaders, four nutritionists were ranked as the leader in sight, and one nutritionist demonstrated great potential to be developed as a leader.

Conclusion: The majority of nutritionist managers evaluated in this research have leadership characteristics and these characteristics are perceived clearly by their leaders (chefs, cooks, kitchen assistants and helpers).