General Manager (NYC locations)

Job Description

Job Description

Magnolia Bakery, the world’s most famous bakery, opened its first location on a quiet street corner in the heart of New York City’s West Village in 1996. From then to now, Magnolia Bakery has been cherished for its fresh-made classic American baked goods and warm, inviting atmosphere.

Today, Magnolia Bakery operates locations throughout New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, serves guests nationwide through its direct-to-consumer shipping business, and has a growing international presence across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Building on nearly three decades of iconic brand recognition, Magnolia Bakery has entered an exciting new chapter of growth through U.S. franchising, expanding its footprint into new markets while continuing its thoughtful global expansion. This strategic growth allows more communities to experience the bakery’s signature hospitality and timeless desserts while preserving the quality and neighborhood charm that have defined the brand since 1996.

Position Summary

The General Manager leads the team with a unique ability to direct, motivate and develop their managers and staff, ensuring the highest quality food and service, building a team that promotes the Magnolia brand while providing an exceptional customer experience and drives store performance. The GM operates their store with complete personal accountability.

Brand Introduction

Founded in New York City’s West Village in 1996, Magnolia Bakery is known worldwide for its classic American baked goods, warm hospitality, and iconic desserts. Today, the brand operates locations across major U.S. cities, offers nationwide delivery, and continues to grow internationally through strategic expansion and franchising, bringing its signature bakery experience to new communities while preserving the charm and quality that made it famous.

Position Summary

The General Manager is responsible for the overall success of the bakery by leading and developing a high-performing team, delivering exceptional guest experiences, driving operational excellence, and achieving financial results. This leader builds a culture rooted in service, teamwork, innovation, and wholehearted leadership while coaching, recognizing, and developing managers and team members to reach their full potential.

Our SWEET Values

• Service– We put our guests and each other first.
• Wholehearted– We lead with care, integrity, and authenticity.
• Enterprising– We embrace innovation and continuous improvement.
• Extraordinary– We strive to exceed expectations every day.
• Together– We succeed through collaboration, trust, and mutual respect.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of managers and hourly team members by creating a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous learning, and growth.
• Recruit, onboard, train, andretaintalent while building a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and opportunities for career growth and internal promotion.
• Provide ongoing performance feedback, recognition, and development support while addressing performance concerns through fair and consistent accountability practices.
• Model and reinforce the bakery’s SWEET Values by fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and inspired to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Partner with managers to ensure effective execution of training programs, operational standards, and new initiatives while promoting teamwork, operational excellence, and a guest-first mindset.

Operational & Strategic Responsibilities

• Oversee daily bakery operations, ensuring consistent execution of company standards, policies, procedures, and brand expectations.
• Manage production schedules, inventory, and product quality to deliver fresh, high-quality products while minimizing waste.
• Partner with BOH teams to ensure consistency in recipes, food safety, operational standards, and production execution.Partner with FOH team for guest service, productqualityand food safety.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, health department, workplace safety, security, and applicable labor requirements.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inviting bakery environment by ensuring facilities, equipment, merchandising, and product displays meet brand standards.
• Analyze business performance,identifyopportunities for improvement, and implement action plans that drive sales, profitability, productivity, and exceptional guest experiences.

Financial Responsibilities

• Own the bakery’s financial performance, including sales, profitability, labor costs, food costs, and controllable expenses.
• Analyze financial reports and key performance indicators to make informed business decisions and driveimprovement.
• Ensureaccuratecash handling, reporting, audits, inventory controls, and compliance with company financial standards.

Skills & Abilities

Leadership Skills

• Talent development and coaching, including managers
• Performance management and accountability
• Team building and succession planning
• Decision-making, problem-solving, andchangeleadership

Technical Skills

• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office, POS systems, and scheduling platforms
• Experience with inventory management and operational systems
• Knowledge of food safety standards and practices

Communication Skills

• Clear, effective verbal and written communication
• Active listening and ability to provide constructive feedback
• Strong guest service and relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members, managers, and cross-functional partners
• Ability to communicate expectations, priorities, and business goals with clarity

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience leading retail or food service operations in a general management capacity.
• Experience leading teams of 20 or more employees. 
• Demonstrated success developing leaders and promoting talent internally. 
• Food Safety Certification (or ability to obtainbefore training period ends). 

Compensation 

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $105,000 annually. Placement within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, education, and business needs. Magnolia Bakery is committed to providing fair, competitive, and equitable compensation. Final offers are determined based on the unique qualifications of each candidate and may vary from the posted range where permitted by applicable law.

Benefits

Magnolia Bakery offers eligible salaried team members a competitive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability insurance, employee assistance resources, professional development opportunities, and employee discounts. Benefits are subject to eligibility and plan provisions.

Acknowledgment

We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Magnolia does not discriminate on the basis of ra