General Manager

Cooper's Hawk Winery; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dining and Carryout Discount 50%

Retail Wine Discount 40%

Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision

401(k) with Company Match

Health & Flexible Savings Accounts

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

Team Member Relief Program

Wellness and Mental Health Support

Everyday Benefits program

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Cooper’s Hawk Winery in Illinois is seeking a General Manager for our full-service restaurant with a scratch kitchen, tasting room, and active Wine Club. You will lead a team of leaders and staff to deliver exceptional hospitality and drive operational excellence.

The compensation range is $90,000 - $112,000 per year, plus a 20% bonus potential, with final pay based on experience and internal equity. Eligible benefits include comprehensive health plans, 401(k) with match, and extensive employee

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of General Manager experience in a full-service restaurant. Scratch kitchen experience preferred.
• Minimum age requirement of 21 years.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Is results-driven; able to coach team to hit restaurant targets (i.e. Wine Club Community growth).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Preferred certifications include ServSafe and state/local licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, including kitchen, front-of-house, retail/tasting room and Wine Club
• Lead all Management and Hourly Team Members as a role model of Cooper’s Hawk behaviors and values
• Use POS systems, scheduling software, inventory systems and Microsoft Office to stay organized
• Focus on service execution and uphold all food, service, and facility standards
• Project a professional image to team and guests
• Approve hourly Team Member hiring decisions
• Mentor and develop managers to lead their teams effectively
• Navigate challenges strategically and ensure policies, systems, and standards are followed
• Be accountable for achieving monthly sales, profit targets, and operational and Wine Club goals
• Ensure strong collaboration between kitchen and front-of-house operations
• Lead management meetings and foster open communication across departments
• Involve department managers in achieving financial and operational results
• Partner with the Executive Kitchen Manager and other leaders to drive success
• Represent Cooper’s Hawk values and create a respectful, positive and professional work environment
• Support your team with coaching, feedback, and development opportunities
• Ensure every guest receives warm, personalized service that reflects our brand
• Championship the growth of our Wine Club Community and ensure team members are equipped to promote and grow it
• Celebrate team and individual achievements
• Lead with passion and inspire a culture of excellence and uncompromising hospitality

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Financial acumen

Communication

English proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

As a General Manager at Cooper’s Hawk, you will oversee a dynamic, high-volume, full-service restaurant that includes a scratch kitchen, retail tasting room and a thriving Wine Club community. You’ll lead with passion and purpose, ensuring operational excellence, delivering memorable guest experiences, and growing a vibrant Wine Club Community. You’ll develop and inspire a team of leaders and team members, working together to deliver uncompromising hospitality.

General Manager Compensation range is $90,000 - $112,000/year + 20% bonus potential. The final offered salary will be based on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate's depth of experience, skill set, qualifications and internal pay equity.

What You Will Get

• 50 percent Dining and Carryout Discount; 40 percent Retail Wine Discount; 20 percent Discount on Retail and Private Events
• Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
• Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision and Telehealth plus Wellness Discount
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Health & Flexible Savings Accounts- Health and Dependent Care
• Long-Term Disability; Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (with option to purchase additional coverage)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Access to Team Member Relief Program
• Wellness and Mental Health Support
• “Everyday Benefits” Program to include insurance coverage (pet, life, auto, home/property) and employee discounts on goods and services
• Team Member Rewards, Milestone Recognition and Referral Bonuses
• Career Development Opportunities

How You Will Succeed

Show Up Ready: Come prepared, stay sharp, and start strong.

• Oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, including kitchen, front-of-house, retail/tasting room and Wine Club
• Lead all Management and Hourly Team Members as a role model of Cooper’s Hawk behaviors and values
• Use tools like POS systems, scheduling software, inventory systems and Microsoft Office to stay organized
• Focus on service execution and uphold all food, service, and facility standards
• Project a professional image to team and guests

Own What You See

Own What You See: Take responsibility, jump in, and do what needs to be done.

• Approve hourly Team Member hiring decisions
• Mentor and develop managers to lead their teams effectively
• Navigate challenges strategically and ensure policies, systems, and standards are followed
• Be accountable for achieving monthly sales, profit targets, and operational and Wine Club goals

Stay in Sync

Stay in Sync: Communicate often, move with your team, and keep service flowing.

• Ensure strong collaboration between kitchen and front-of-house operations
• Lead management meetings and foster open communication across departments
• Involve department managers in achieving financial and operational results
• Partner with the Executive Kitchen Manager and other leaders to drive success

Make It Personal

Make It Personal: Be genuine, listen well, and tailor the experience.

• Represent Cooper’s Hawk values and create a respectful, positive and professional work environment
• Support your team with coaching, feedback, and development opportunities
• Ensure every guest receives warm, personalized service that reflects our brand

Add a Touch

Add a Touch: Go beyond the expected to create memorable moments.

• Champion the growth of our Wine Club Community and ensure team members are equipped to promote and grow it
• Celebrate team and individual achievements
• Lead with passion and inspire a culture of excellence and uncompromising hospitality

What You Will Bring

• Must represent Cooper’s Hawk values
• Minimum 2 years of General Manager experience in a full-service restaurant. Scratch kitchen experience preferred
• A minimum age requirement of 21 years
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Is results-driven; able to coach team to hit restaurant targets (i.e. Wine Club Community growth)
• Ability to read, understand and communicate in English
• Demonstrates financial acumen
• Extensive food knowledge and standards (Executive Kitchen Manager level)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Preferred certifications include ServSafe and state/local licensing requirements
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to stand for at least 10 hours per shift
• Must be able to work 50-60 hours per week
• Must be able to work flexible shifts and schedules, inclusive of weekends and some holidays

Cooper’s Hawk reviews several factors when establishing compensation. Salaries and hourly wages appearing in a job posting may be published by third parties and may not reflect the salaries or hourly wages offered by Cooper’s Hawk.

Cooper’s Hawk is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Cooper’s Hawk makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process.

The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. The Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply.

About Us

Cooper's Hawk features a Napa-style tasting room with wine-inspired retail for entertaining and a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space, offering a modern-yet-casual dining experience. Each scratch-kitchen menu item is designed to pair with our wines. Speaking of wine...the Cooper's Hawk Wine Club is perhaps the largest in the world, offering not only top-notch award-winning wines but also exclusive Wine Club membership benefits, including curated dining and travel experiences. Since 2005, we've brought the Napa Valley experience to our guests and Wine Club members, and now, with Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, we’re bringing the vibrant flavors of Rome to them as well. Together, we’re creating a lifestyle brand like no other.