General Manager

Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery; Duncan; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a visionary General Manager to lead a beloved café and bakery into its next era. This high-level, on-site role involves collaborating with owners, inspiring a passionate team, and championing community engagement. With a focus on culinary excellence and operational efficiency, the ideal candidate will bring strategic thinking and a values-driven mindset to protect and evolve the café's unique culture. This is a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a community-rooted institution while potentially growing into an ownership role.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Education Opportunities

Travel Opportunities

Performance-Based Bonuses

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume restaurant or culinary management.
• Strong leadership and people-development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a passionate team across all departments.
• Drive sales and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Culinary Management

HR Knowledge

Food Safety Standards

Strategic Thinking

Community Engagement

Job description

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Direct message the job poster from Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery

The Duncan Garage Café & Bakery isn’t your average café—it’s a community institution, a hub of creativity and connection, and one of Vancouver Island’s most beloved café restaurants. We’re looking for avisionary General Managerto lead our team and help take the Garage into its next era while preserving everything that makes it special.

This is a high-level, on-site role. You’ll work directly with the owners to bring our evolving vision to life, leading our culinary, bakery, café, and operations teams to deliver excellence every day.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and inspire a passionate team across all departments
• Bring clarity and structure to day-to-day operations while keeping an eye on the big picture
• Champion community—this means being open to being on camera, engaging with customers, and celebrating the local culture that fuels the Garage
• Collaborate with owners on strategic initiatives for growth and innovation
• Own and understand P&L statements—identify and act on the levers that impact profitability
• Develop leaders within each department at the Garage.
• Support product development through a solid understanding of flavour, food trends, and customer experience
• Maintain high standards in food safety, HR practices, and team development
• Drive sales and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Protect and evolve the Garage’s unique culture—community-first, organic-forward, inclusive and welcoming

What You Bring:

• Strong leadership and people-development skills
• Background in high-volume restaurant or culinary management (head chef, general manager, etc.)
• HR and labour regulation knowledge
• Familiarity with food safety standards
• Strategic thinker who can also roll up their sleeves
• Comfort being the public face of a brand on social media and in the community
• Understanding of café/bakery environments; baking experience is a big plus
• A values-driven mindset and a deep appreciation for what makes local businesses matter

We’re looking for someone who isn’t just managing a café—they’re stewarding a legacy.

For the right candidate, there is potential to earn sweat equity and grow into an ownership role over time.

Ready to lead something meaningful? If you’re excited by the idea of shaping the future of a community-rooted, values-driven institution, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit resume and cover letter for position.

Compensation: $80,000–$100,000 + health benefits, education & travel opportunities, performance-based bonuses.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Restaurants

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