General Manager

Job Description

General Managers (GM) need to have unique personal qualities including excellent communication skills as they interact with internal employees of the organization, vendors and clients (the general public). The General Manager is the leader of the Front of the House (FOH) team and is accountable along with the Chef di Cuisine for all that occurs within the restaurant. This person needs to think quickly on their feet and act with guests as their priority. Leadership is seen and felt which makes this a very high profile position as one of the faces of the company.

Duties & Responsibilities

One of the main tasks of the General Manager is to put into action the company's vision and mission statements. They are directly responsible for budgeting and allocating finances for the different sub divisions (unique to the concept, Bar, Cocktail, Private Events, Nightlife, Restaurants etc.). The General Manager will also interact with the company accountant (Accudata) to keep budget plans in line and ensure all Human Resource needs are met according to the particular needs of the concept. GMs will also review on a weekly and quarterly basis the P&L along side the Chef di Cuisine and corresponding FOH staff.

The General Manager is also fully integrated into the marketing of the restaurant. The GM is also directly in a position to affect the bottom line by proper execution of “cutting the floor”, reducing labor and keeping costs under control. In unison with keeping costs in line, guest satisfaction is key to the success of the GM role. No guest should leave unhappy during his or her time on the floor.

Hiring new employees and training is also part of the GM position with previous approval from the Director of Operations. Responsibilities include arranging employee training to improve the quality of the workforce. GMs will look into employee retention along with the personnel from the FOH and BOH. Motivating the employees to achieve set goals and conceptualizing rewards and recognition programs is their duty.

Interacting with clients for redressing complaints and understanding their requirements is an important aspect of their job profile. They also ensure that work ethics are followed and company policies are adhered to. Preparing reports to appraise the Director of Operations, VP of Operations and ownership about the functioning of the company is also an important task that GM undertakes.

Some other duties include the following:

· Increases management's effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.

· Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.

· Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and result measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.

· Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with corporate staff.

· Builds company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.

· Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.

· Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.

· Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

A General Manager will embody the resources and knowledge of the set forth management principles, accounting and human resource policies along with state regulations and norms pertaining to the business. They should also have in-depth knowledge of all the company policies and procedures. GMs should know how to budget company finances and resources. They need to be knowledgeable about ways to promote teamwork and employee morale. A GM should also have information on team building activities and be a good orator.

The GM should have through knowledge of the Food and Beverages. Including a wide arrange of culinary techniques, world-class wines, craft spirits and in depth beer knowledge.

The nature of the job requires them to act as a conduit between upper management and the employees; hence they need to have excellent communication skills. GMs need good interpersonal skills, as they have to interact with clients to understand their requirements.

A GM should have leadership qualities as they are in charge of employee performance and motivation. They should be adept in conflict resolution skills, as they will be called in to resolve conflicts between employees and management as well as conflict between two employees.

The GM also has to conduct meetings and training sessions to ensure effective workforce management. They are well compensated for the responsibilities they undertake and generally candidates with an extensive background in Hospitality and a college degree or likewise experience.