Assistant General Manager

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Floradora is seeking an experienced Assistant General Manager with a strong beverage background and professional sommelier experience to join our leadership team.

We are an upscale-casual restaurant focused on exceptional food, cocktails, wine, and genuine hospitality. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands both the guest experience and the business behind a successful beverage program.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in wine and beverage operations, strong knowledge of cocktails and spirits, and the leadership skills necessary to oversee the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.

THE ROLE

The AGM will work closely with the General Manager and ownership to oversee daily restaurant operations while taking primary responsibility for the beverage program.

This position will have significant ownership over wine, cocktails, spirits, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, beverage education, inventory, purchasing, cost control, and beverage-related training.

The AGM will also be expected to be an active floor leader who can step into any area of service when needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Beverage Leadership

• Take ownership of the overall beverage program at Floradora.
• Oversee wine, cocktails, spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic beverage programs.
• Maintain and develop the wine list in partnership with management.
• Manage beverage purchasing, receiving, storage, organization, and inventory.
• Monitor beverage costs, margins, waste, and usage.
• Maintain relationships with distributors, suppliers, and beverage representatives.
• Identify new products and opportunities to improve the beverage program.
• Ensure all beverage offerings are executed consistently.
• Maintain proper cellar and beverage storage standards.
• Develop beverage SOPs and service standards.
• Lead regular beverage education and staff training.
• Ensure the team can confidently speak to wine, cocktails, spirits, and menu pairings.

Wine / Sommelier

• Demonstrate strong professional knowledge of wine and wine service.
• Guide guests through wine selections based on their preferences, food choices, and budget.
• Train staff on varietals, regions, producers, styles, and pairings.
• Maintain proper wine service standards.
• Manage wine inventory and purchasing.
• Assist with developing and evolving the wine program.
• Build relationships with distributors, importers, and producers.
• Stay current with industry trends and new wines.

Sommelier certification or equivalent professional wine experience is strongly preferred.

Cocktails & Spirits

• Take ownership of the cocktail and spirits program alongside the bar team.
• Work closely with the Bar Manager and bartenders on cocktail development and execution.
• Maintain consistency in recipes, batching, prep, presentation, and service.
• Develop staff knowledge of spirits, classic cocktails, and the Floradora cocktail program.
• Monitor cocktail costs, inventory, and product usage.
• Support ongoing menu development and seasonal beverage changes.
• Ensure beverage standards are maintained across every shift.

Restaurant Operations

• Act as a senior leader on the floor during service.
• Support the GM with daily restaurant operations.
• Lead and motivate the front-of-house team.
• Maintain service standards and guest experience.
• Assist with staff scheduling, training, and performance management.
• Monitor reservations, pacing, table turns, and overall floor flow.
• Handle guest concerns professionally and effectively.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings and service briefings.
• Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed correctly.
• Maintain communication between FOH, BOH, bar, and management.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and ongoing team development.
• Assist with financial and operational reporting.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience as an AGM, GM, Beverage Director, Sommelier, Wine Director, or similar leadership position.
• Strong professional wine and beverage background.
• Significant knowledge of wine, spirits, cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Strong understanding of beverage cost, inventory, purchasing, and margins.
• Proven leadership experience in a quality restaurant, bar, hotel, or hospitality environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong business and operational instincts.
• Comfortable leading a team while remaining hands-on during service.
• Ability to train and develop employees.
• Organized, accountable, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced NYC restaurant.
• Genuine passion for hospitality and beverage.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is someone who can comfortably move between the floor, the bar, the wine program, and the business side of the restaurant.

You should be equally comfortable discussing a bottle of Burgundy with a guest, training a bartender on a cocktail, reviewing beverage inventory, working with a distributor, or stepping onto the floor during a busy Saturday night.

This is a leadership role with significant responsibility and opportunity to shape the beverage identity of Floradora.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time leadership position requiring evening, weekend, holiday, and high-volume service availability. e.