General Manager

Restaurant General Manager

Italian Restaurant | Pizza, Pasta & Traditional Italian Cuisine

Location: Oradell, 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)