General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Restaurant General Manager

Italian Restaurant | Pizza, Pasta & Traditional Italian Cuisine

Location: Clifton, NJ

Position Overview

We 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 Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

Oversee 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 & Development

Recruit, 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 Management

Analyze 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 & Compliance

Maintain 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 Experience

Create 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 Growth

Partner 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.

Qualifications

5+ 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.

Preferred

Spanish-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 For

High-energy leader with a strong work ethic

Hands-on operator who isn't afraid to jump into any position when needed

Team builder and culture creator

Financially disciplined and data-driven

Strong communicator and problem solver

Accountable, organized, and results-oriented

Passionate about hospitality, Italian food, and guest satisfaction

Entrepreneurial mindset with the desire to grow into senior leadership

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus opportunity

Paid time off

Career advancement opportunity to Director of Operations

Professional development and leadership growth

Health and wellness benefits (if applicable)