General Manager

General Manager | New Restaurant Opening

Star Group | Near Napa and Sonoma, CA
Base Salary: $120,000 annually, plus up to $15,000 in annual bonus potential
Full-Time

About Us

Star Group is the team behind Glen Ellen Star, Stella, and SMASH. Our restaurants have distinct personalities, but share a commitment to great food, genuine hospitality, and being places people want to return to.

We are preparing to open a new restaurant near Napa and Sonoma, bringing the spirit of Glen Ellen Star to a larger setting. With 130+ dining seats, plus a lounge and bar, the concept will center on wood-fired cooking, seasonal ingredients, a thoughtful beverage program, and the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant. This is a complete reimagining of an existing space, and an opportunity to help shape the restaurant from the beginning.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a General Manager to lead the opening and daily operations of our newest restaurant. Working closely with ownership and the culinary team, you will help build the team, establish service standards, and create the systems that support a successful opening and a strong business.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being on the floor, knows how to develop people, and understands the numbers behind a well-run restaurant. Candidates must have experience leading service for more than 200 guests per night while maintaining consistent hospitality and attention to detail.

You should be as comfortable welcoming a returning guest or supporting a busy service as you are reviewing labor costs, coaching a manager, or planning the week ahead.

Our goal is ambitious food and thoughtful service delivered with warmth and ease. The General Manager will set that tone every day.

Key Responsibilities

Opening & Operations

• Help lead the opening process, including hiring, training, service planning, operational systems, and opening readiness.
• Oversee daily restaurant operations across the dining room, lounge, and bar, including reservations, staffing, opening and closing procedures, and the condition and presentation of the space.
• Establish clear, practical procedures that keep the restaurant organized and allow the team to focus on guests.
• Work closely with ownership and culinary leadership to coordinate service, menu changes, seasonal offerings, and restaurant priorities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, schedule, and develop the front-of-house team and supporting managers.
• Create a workplace where expectations are clear, feedback is consistent, and people are treated with respect.
• Lead meaningful pre-shift meetings and ongoing education in food, beverage, and service.
• Oversee onboarding, payroll review, performance evaluations, and employee relations.
• Hold the team accountable while providing the guidance and support they need to succeed.

Guest Experience & Community

• Maintain a visible presence on the floor, building relationships with guests and supporting the team throughout service.
• Guide reservations, pacing, table flow, and guest communication to deliver a smooth, welcoming experience during high-volume service.
• Address guest concerns with care, good judgment, and timely follow-through.
• Build relationships with local residents, wineries, neighboring businesses, and hospitality partners.
• Collaborate on private dining, special events, and programming that bring guests into the restaurant and give them reasons to return.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Manage labor, purchasing, inventory, and operating expenses in line with established budgets and service goals.
• Review sales, financial reports, and operating performance with ownership, identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
• Oversee beverage inventory and cost controls, working with the team to maintain a program that complements the food and appeals to our guests.
• Maintain accurate records and effective use of reservation, POS, scheduling, and reporting systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, labor, and alcohol service requirements and company policies.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience as a General Manager or in a comparable senior restaurant management role.
• Required experience managing restaurant service volumes exceeding 200 guests per night.
• Experience in a busy, quality-driven restaurant with strong food, beverage, and hospitality standards.
• Restaurant opening or rebranding experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to hire, train, retain, and lead a strong team.
• Solid financial skills, including budgeting, labor management, cost control, and understanding restaurant P&Ls.
• Strong food and wine knowledge, with the ability to make that knowledge approachable for both staff and guests.
• Experience with private dining and events.
• Comfort using restaurant technology, spreadsheets, and financial reporting tools.
• Strong organization, clear communication, and reliable follow-through.
• Ability to maintain perspective, make sound decisions, and lead calmly during a demanding service.

Who Will Thrive Here

You enjoy the work of running a restaurant, from the energy of a full dining room to the preparation that makes a good night possible. You notice the details, step in when the team needs help, and take responsibility when something needs to improve.

You are confident enough to make decisions and open enough to listen. You care about building a business, but you also understand that the way you treat your team and guests is what sustains it. You want to work closely with ownership, contribute ideas, and take pride in a restaurant you helped build.

Compensation & Benefits

• $120,000 annual base salary
• Up to $15,000 in additional annual bonus potential
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan options with employer match
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Employee discounts and perks

Schedule

This is a full-time leadership position requiring availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events. The schedule will reflect the needs of the restaurant, with flexibility especially important during opening and training.

To Apply

Please submit your résumé (with references) and a brief introduction describing your leadership experience and what interests you about helping open Star Group’s newest restaurant.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance