How to Write a Restaurant General Manager Job Description (Duties, Responsibilities)

General managers are the unsung heroes of the restaurant world. Restaurants have many moving parts, and the general manager ensures the pieces fit together so that daily operations run smoothly. These team leaders coordinate the front and back of the house, knowing all the ins and outs. 

Staffing, training, scheduling, and managing employees is a large part of the restaurant general manager's job description. Balancing the books also falls under their purview. They often manage a restaurant’s brand, which includes fielding customer complaints, creating restaurant marketing plans, and brainstorming promotions to reach new customers.

Ensuring health and safety regulations also lands on their plate. In short, they are the glue that keeps the business together. 

While being a good restaurant manager requires many hard skills, various soft skills separate the best candidates, such as problem-solving and time management. The best managers know how to maximize their time so that important tasks get done on schedule. They also know how to deal with any issues that often come with working in the restaurant industry.

Diplomacy and effective communication skills are critical for long-term success. Clashes between employees and customer complaints are inevitable in any restaurant, and diffusing disagreements respectfully will help maintain relationships. The ability to delegate is another hallmark of top managers. Running a restaurant is a team effort, and good general managers will know how to delegate and when to step in. 

Finally, candidates with solid team-building skills will motivate all employees, from servers to dishwashers. A restaurant manager with strong leadership skills is more likely to inspire and retain capable employees, build a strong restaurant team, and contribute to a more efficient and enjoyable work environment.

List of Duties for the Restaurant General Manager

Coordinate front and back-of-house operations

When it comes to this position, flexibility is the ingredient to success. The best restaurant general managers quickly adapt between the dining room and the kitchen while balancing different priorities. In the front of the house, the general manager ensures exceptional customer service. In the back-of-house, they oversee food safety, inventory management, and ensure the restaurant complies with all health and safety regulations. 

Manage employees 

This position manages employees in all areas of the restaurant, from coordinating server shifts to hiring line cooks. The best candidates will lead by example and keep morale and energy up in fast-paced environments. 

Communication is the driving force behind high-functioning teams, and good general managers will clearly explain goals and manage restaurant staff according to how each person works best. They oversee recruiting and training servers, hostesses, and many kitchen positions. Successful candidates will set clear expectations for their teams when managing staff.

Make sure guests have a pleasant experience 

Chefs may want to cover their ears or start humming right now, but customer service is equally important as food quality. The key to creating customer loyalty is knowing how to deal with complaints effectively. 

It’s true; even the fanciest restaurants field complaints daily. A steak may inevitably come out too rare, or a drink order may be forgotten. Top managers will always listen with an empathetic ear, remain calm, and work their magic to diffuse sticky situations. Word of mouth is king in the restaurant industry. 

General managers not only field complaints but also check in with satisfied customers. And they often spearhead marketing efforts to foster a following and attract new diners. 

Manage finances 

A restaurant cannot survive without healthy cash flow, and it’s up to restaurant general managers to handle the finances on the business side of things. While many “soft” skills are essential, the general manager gets down to brass tacks when managing money. 

Restaurant budgetary management means tracking income and expenses, and this encompasses a wide range of responsibilities like maintaining payrolls, setting profitability goals, generating financial reports, and planning for expenses.

Restaurant General Manager Job Description Sample

To make it easier to create a restaurant general manager job description, here’s a sample you can use.

Job Title: Restaurant General Manager 

Salary: $50,000 to $70,000 per year

Tip Income: No

Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours per week). Tuesday – Saturday.

Role: You will oversee our restaurant's daily operations and lead our dedicated team of employees to ensure an enjoyable dining experience for our guests. We are known for delivering excellence in all areas of service, hospitality, food, and beverage, and candidates will have a passion for customer service and proven ability as a manager. Operational expertise and experience with budget management are crucial to this role.

Duties:

• Oversees day-to-day operations. 

• Handles budget administration and preparation, including forecasting, profit and loss accountability, cost control, and inventories. 

• Initiates marketing and brand promotions.

• Provides superior service and customer care.

• Responds to customers' complaints in an efficient manner with sensitivity and care.

• Manages the performance of team members and provides feedback to improve productivity.

• Interviews, selects, and trains new employees.

• Ensures compliance with established health and safety policies and procedures.

• Researches new vendors and regularly reviews product quality.

• Estimates future supply needs.

Tips for Writing Effective Job Descriptions

Personalize your job description with specific information about your restaurant's culture and brand. Formulaic descriptions may turn off potential candidates. Descriptions that are employee-focused will attract more candidates. Point out how you will contribute to the employee’s success and how the role will help the restaurant achieve its goals. Your job description should be short, compelling, and hit key details that will make people interested in the role. Focus on the expectations of the position rather than the daily tasks.

Get hiring!

The general manager is the peanut butter to the jelly of any successful restaurant. Finding top talent can be challenging, but if you brand your restaurant as a great place to work, people will come knocking. The key is to showcase what makes your restaurant special in your job description.

Related Restaurant Resources

• Restaurant Assistant Manager Job Description

• Prep Cook Job Description

• Chef Job Description

• Sommelier Job Description

• Kitchen Manager Job Description

• Pastry Chef Job Description

• Server Job Description

• Bartender Job Description

• Barista Job Description

• Dishwasher Job Description

• Host Job Description

• Barback Job Description

• Busser Job Description

• Executive Chef Job Description

• Sous Chef Job Description

• Line Cook Job Description

FAQs

What key skills are important for a restaurant general manager?

A successful restaurant general manager needs a mix of hard and soft skills. Important skills include financial management, operational expertise, and familiarity with health and safety regulations. Soft skills like strong leadership, communication skills, problem-solving, time management, and team-building are equally important. These abilities ensure smooth daily operations and a positive work environment.

How can I create an effective restaurant general manager job description?

Tailor your general manager job description to reflect your restaurant's needs, culture, brand, and daily operations. Highlight what makes it a great workplace and include specific details about expectations, benefits, and growth opportunities. Avoid generic templates and focus on attracting qualified candidates who align with your values.

What should I include in the job description for a restaurant general manager?

A job description should include the role's responsibilities, such as managing daily operations, overseeing finances, ensuring customer satisfaction, and leading staff. Add details about required qualifications, skills, and years of experience. Provide information on the restaurant general manager salary, benefits, and work schedule to set clear expectations from the start.