WineTalent Classifieds: Restaurant General Manager

WineTalent Classifieds:  Restaurant General Manager for Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, CA

WineTalent is working on a Restaurant General Manager  for Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch located in St. Helena, the heart of the Napa Valley.

Position:  Farmstead General Manager

Description:  Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned and operated producer and purveyor of world-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible using diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods.

Long Meadow Ranch’s restaurant at Farmstead showcases the seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking of executive chef Stephen Barber.  Housed in a former nursery barn, our 110-seat restaurant features an authentic farm-to-table menu.  The ingredients are foraged from local sources and feature Long Meadow Ranch’s award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables

Long Meadow Ranch has an exciting opportunity for a Restaurant General Manager to manage the daily operations of the restaurant.  The General Manager will hire, train and mentor employees.  As the Restaurant General Manager this role is responsible for managing the operation and ensuring guests have an exceptional dining experience.  Additionally, the Restaurant General Manager will look at ways to increase efficiencies and optimize profits. 

Responsibilities:

Manage Daily Operations

• Actively engage in service for the majority of working hours. Directly perform hands-on work on an ongoing basis to manage employee performance, provide feedback and coaching, and otherwise role model appropriate behaviors in the restaurant.  Lead by example and maintain a strong floor presence.  Support staff throughout the day - get your hands dirty.
• Ensure positive guest experience in all areas. Respond promptly to complaints and take action to resolve guest issues.  Maintain guest satisfaction by monitoring and auditing food, beverage and service offerings. 
• Build relationships with preferred patrons, recognize special occasions and PX guests.
• Provide overall leadership for the front of house staff as well as recognize and motivate staff and coach for operational excellence. Provide continuous, constructive feedback and guidance to the restaurant management team via weekly meetings. 
• Ensure that all food safety, food quality standards, workplace safety standards, customer service standards and company policies are met. Comply with all Department of Environmental Health food safety regulations.
• Maintain a facility that is safe, secure and healthy as well as consistently “inspection ready” in all areas including front of house and back of house. Develop systems and awareness to repair and maintain facilities as needed including mechanical systems, equipment, operation of lights, music and decor.
• Develop standard operating procedures; determine and implement system improvements as needed.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, counseling and discipline of front of house staff and managers. Maintain written documentation of discipline on company templates.  Communicate job expectations and assign accountability to managers for restaurant priorities and tasks.
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and communicate menu features, service points and beverage training.
• Evaluate reservation books against traffic patterns to optimize restaurant seating. Adjust books seasonally to account for the patio and outdoor bar.
• Open and close the restaurant as needed. Support the team when a manager is away on leave or sick.
• Keep the Director of Destination Operations fully informed of all issues and takes prompt corrective action where necessary or suggest alternate courses of action.
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all company employees to foster and promote a cooperative, positive and respectful workplace culture.

Administrative and General:

• Meet restaurant financial objectives by helping to prepare forecasts and budgets; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions; developing and implementing strategies to increase average meal checks. Deliver financial performance meetings to the front of house managers and kitchen managers.
• Develop and maintain an effective plan for training including food & wine education, one-on-one training, communication of company standards & policies and Long Meadow Ranch brand training.
• Conduct regular manager performance reviews and provide growth opportunities.
• Provide weekly traffic projections to the restaurant managers to most efficiently schedule employees and manage labor cost.
• Review and approve payroll, approve hourly rate and status changes for employees. Approve and code purchases and submit promptly to the finance team.
• Collaborate with the finance team to process end of month accounting procedures in a timely manner, following company procedures.
• Manage restaurant purchases and inventory by negotiating prices, monitoring usage and taking corrective action.
• Develop systems to manage the ordering of restaurant supplies, usage and organization.
• Be responsible for all cash handling, banking and accounting procedures including end of day reconciliation and tip cash out systems. Submit change orders weekly to replenish the safe.
• Identify competing businesses and make changes to the offerings and operations of the restaurant to stay relevant.
• Manage the restaurant manager schedule to best suit the needs of the business and approve time off requests.

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least 5 years of management experience in a fast paced restaurant.
• Proven commitment to creating a great first impression with the ability to consistently provide excellent guest experiences.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to manage staff, interact with management and respond to guests’ needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record.
• A pre-employment background check is required.
• Able to lift 40+ lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, salaried position. Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k)

INTERESTED:  Email your resume to amy@winetalent.net