General Manager

Restaurant General ManagerItalian Restaurant | Pizza, Pasta & Traditional Italian CuisineLocation: Clifton, NJPosition OverviewWe are seeking a hands-on, high-energy Restaurant General Manager to lead the daily operations of a growing Italian restaurant specializing in pizza, pasta, and authentic Italian cuisine. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads from the front, and understands the balance between outstanding guest experiences and strong financial performance.The ideal candidate is a true operator who can hustle during peak service periods, build and develop high-performing teams, maintain exceptional food safety standards, and drive profitability through disciplined cost management. Spanish-speaking candidates are strongly preferred.This position offers a clear path to promotion into a Director of Operations role before year-end for the right leader who demonstrates strong operational execution and leadership capabilities.Key ResponsibilitiesOperations LeadershipOversee all day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service.Lead from the floor during service periods, providing hands-on support and direction.Maintain high standards for food quality, consistency, presentation, and guest satisfaction.Ensure operational excellence across front-of-house and back-of-house teams.Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, and hospitality.Team Building & DevelopmentRecruit, hire, train, coach, and retain top hospitality talent.Build a strong management team and create a positive workplace culture.Conduct performance evaluations and implement development plans.Lead daily shift meetings and ongoing training initiatives.Foster teamwork, communication, and employee engagement.Financial ManagementAnalyze and manage labor costs, food costs, and controllable expenses.Conduct regular cost analysis and identify opportunities to improve profitability.Monitor sales trends, budgets, and key performance indicators.Manage inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships.Ensure accurate cash handling and financial reporting.Food Safety & ComplianceMaintain strict adherence to all local, state, and federal health regulations.Ensure proper food handling, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.Conduct regular audits and inspections to maintain compliance standards.Lead by example in maintaining a clean, organized, and safe restaurant environment.Guest ExperienceCreate memorable guest experiences through exceptional service and hospitality.Address guest concerns promptly and professionally.Build relationships with regular guests and support local community engagement.Monitor online reviews and implement service improvement initiatives.Strategic GrowthPartner with ownership to drive operational improvements and business growth.Assist in developing systems, processes, and best practices that can scale across future locations.Prepare for advancement into a Director of Operations role overseeing multiple locations and management teams.Qualifications5+ years of restaurant management experience, including General Manager experience.Strong background in Italian cuisine, pizza concepts, full-service restaurants, or high-volume casual dining.Proven success managing labor, food cost, and restaurant profitability.Experience recruiting, developing, and retaining restaurant teams.Strong knowledge of restaurant financials and operational reporting.Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.ServSafe Certification or ability to obtain upon hire.Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as business demands.PreferredSpanish-speaking proficiency strongly preferred.Multi-unit management experience.Experience preparing for restaurant growth and expansion.Experience implementing systems, processes, and operational controls.Ambition and readiness to grow into a Director of Operations position.Key Traits We Are Looking ForHigh-energy leader with a strong work ethicHands-on operator who isn't afraid to jump into any position when neededTeam builder and culture creatorFinancially disciplined and data-drivenStrong communicator and problem solverAccountable, organized, and results-orientedPassionate about hospitality, Italian food, and guest satisfactionEntrepreneurial mindset with the desire to grow into senior leadershipCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive base salaryPerformance-based bonus opportunityPaid time offCareer advancement opportunity to Director of OperationsProfessional development and leadership growthHealth and wellness benefits (if applicable)