General Manager

Cafe Zuzu; Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dining discounts

Training & development

Job summary

Gusto 54 seeks a seasoned hospitality leader to drive daily operations, guest experience and team development in a bustling Toronto setting. You will optimize labor, manage inventory, and lead initiatives across bar, wine, and cafe programs.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to safety and service excellence. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits accompany a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proficient in full-service restaurant operations.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
• Valid First Aid, Smart Serve and WHMIS certifications required.
• Passionate, positive and approachable leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Review and optimize supplier pricing on a regular basis.
• Maintain labour percentages and oversee FOH scheduling to avoid overtime.
• Ensure par levels and verify incoming stock.
• Oversee inventory reporting and address variances.
• Meet targets on COGS and financial efficiency.
• Hire and train top talent; mentor future leaders.
• Create an outstanding guest experience and build rapport with guests.
• Guide daily operations across bar, wine, and cafe programs.
• Oversee POS updates and building maintenance; enforce policies.
• Lead health and safety practices and ensure a safe workplace.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

People management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Smart Serve Certification

Tools

POS system

Job description

Café ZUZU Pizzeria is a neighbourhood full-service pizzeria and café shaped by the everyday rhythms of Italy and the places Italians built when they started over elsewhere.

Simple, lively, and made for real daily life. In Toronto's East End, ZUZU moves from morning to night with ease. Coffee and pastry early. Pizza, wine, and long conversations as the day unfolds. A place to stop in, settle in, or stay a while. At its heart, ZUZU is about community. Familiar food, straightforward hospitality, and a room that feels open, comfortable, and genuinely lived in.

The Role

• Review and evaluate supplier pricing every 6 to 12 months alongside Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef
• Maintain optimal labour percentages; oversee FOH scheduling, avoiding overtime
• Ensure par ordering levels are maintained, and all incoming stock is checked
• Oversee inventory reporting and address any variance
• Meet established targets on COGS

Hiring and Retaining Awesome Team Members

• Hire and train top talent using the tools available
• Foster an environment of “happy people making people happy”
• Develop new leaders in the industry through mentorship and coach program
• Hold regular training meetings to consistently develop knowledge and skills of team members

Curate an Awesome Guest Experience

• Create and monitor systems to ensure consistency in product and service
• Touch tables and build rapport with guests alongside floor managers
• Audit service through being present and providing in-the-moment feedback and course correction

Manage Daily Operations

• Build sales and guest loyalty
• Guide the overall direction of the bar, wine, and cafe program
• Manage POS and system updates
• Oversee equipment and building maintenance
• Follow and enforce all restaurant policies and procedures

Maintain Safe Workplace

• Host health and safety meetings in compliance with Health & Safety Act
• Ensure all service team members are Smart Serve Certified
• Manage in compliance with workplace harassment and violence policy

Who You Are

The right person for this role has a strong hospitality leadership background and prioritizes both

guest and team member experience. The ideal candidate is equal parts people and process-

driven with an aptitude for creating efficiencies at all levels of the business.

Preference will be given to those who possess:

• A minimum of years (2) years in a senior leadership role
• Proficient in full-service restaurant functions
• Excellent communication skills at all levels of an organization
• Strategic, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker
• Valid First Aid, Smart Serve, WHMIS Certification
• Passionate, positive, and approachable

What We Offer

As we view all of our team members as an extension of the Gusto 54 famiglia, we are excited to offer a competitive compensation package including:

• A comprehensive health insurance and wellness benefits program, powered by League
• Discounted dining privileges at all of our restaurants
• Consistent schedule and safe, positive work environment
• Access to regular training and development programming

Gusto 54 is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse working environment. We prohibit discrimination based on legally protected classes in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and local laws. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interviewing process, please let us know.

Kindly note that candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Gusto 54 does not use AI in its hiring practices. This posting is for an active opening.