This article explores the onboarding process for new managers joining food and beverage organisations, and the role of Organisational Socialisation. Our study identified a heavy reliance on informal training practices, most frequently through on-the-job learning, meaning that newcomers were found to depended on their subordinates’ support to gain vital institutional information. To mitigate the disconnect between hiring and becoming an accepted leader, Human Resource Managers have an opportunity to adjust their managerial onboarding.