Restaurant Manager

The Job
Tortello is looking for a  Restaurant Manager to take a leadership role in our awarded Italian neighborhood restaurant. Tortello is a 36-seat restaurant which doubles in summer with our patio and has regular private events upstairs, along with catering and special events. The ideal candidate demonstrates operational excellence when it comes to responsibilities like scheduling, ordering/inventory, and staff training, while also bringing passion and positive energy to the floor at all times. This job reports to the owners and partners with our head chef.

Benefits & perks
We are committed to supporting positive work/life balance with a maximum 45-50-hour work week, two days off every week, 2 weeks paid vacation, sick leave, and closure on major holidays. 100% health care coverage, option to add dental/vision coverage. Dining perks and a matching 401k plan. Opportunity to implement bonus structure after 6 months. 

Company Info
Tortello is an Italian-owned pasta shop & restaurant rooted in artisanal craft, simple exceptionally high quality ingredients, and the food traditions of Italy. A three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner and Wicker Park neighborhood gem, we are looking for truly passionate leaders to join our team. Tortello is committed to exceptional yet simple food. We arm the kitchen with only the very best – from the flour we import, to the eggs we collaborated on with a local farm to improve quality, to the scratch cooking of everything in-house. Tortello is committed to creating a positive, problem-solving and kind culture, and we will look to this person to set the example. Ideal candidates will have an appreciation for "Nonna’s cooking," a proven record of craft and leadership, and a contagious passion for our food and business.
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022, 2023, 2024
Gambero Rosso 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Jean Banchet 2019 nominee for Best Counter Service
Chicago Magazine, Best New Restaurants, April 2020 As seen on The Bear, seasons 1, 2, 3, and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri

As Restaurant Manager, you will :

• Maintain a positive, welcoming, passionate, calm, professional and problem-solving demeanor, and nurture these traits in all FOH staff. Consistently focus on solutions vs. problems. 
• Manage FOH staff including scheduling, hiring, training, timesheets, disciplinary action, documentation, staff licensing, & opening/closing standards. This includes pre-shift meetings, annual required trainings, proper employee onboarding, etc.
• Manage the execution of private events in our event space upstairs as well as occasional special events at the restaurant
• Manage catering orders and coordinate with kitchen & pasta team to execute

• Manage customer service issues in-store and online, including refunds, responses to customer requests/complaints, customer conflict resolution

• Manage third party tech & relationships with POS (Toast) and online ordering services, including troubleshooting, managing store hours and menu updates, connecting with customer success teams on best practice and ways to optimize sales, and managing accounting issues 

• Manage ongoing supply inventory to ensure proper supply and reduce costs where possible; perform monthly FOH inventory
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and efficiencies while maintaining labor goals

• Strongly communicate and collaborate in true partnership with owners & head chef on topics like service requirements, event menu requests, restaurant repairs, and end of shift recaps.
• Balance admin responsibilities with service responsibilities, and help out (expediting, serving, bussing) as necessary 
• Strengthen guest relationships, established and new, pre-empting issues and resolving complaints in a polite and friendly manner 
• Create a welcoming and positive Tortello experience for guests, ensuring the restaurant is in good shape for service, and creating an environment that transports folks to Italy for even just a moment.
• Adhere to all safety and sanitation policies and procedures 
• Perform other work related duties as assigned

Requirements

• At least 2 years of management experience in a systems-based, high-volume restaurant setting.
• A flexible schedule with the ability to work day, evening and weekend hours as business needs require
• Ability to stand and walk at a steady pace for periods of up to 8 hours or more.
• Ability to lift 50lb+
• State of Illinois Basset Certification, Chicago Food Managers Certification (if not, this must be completed within 30 days of employment)
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer