General Manager

Lucky You

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Reimbursement

3 weeks of paid time off annually

Profit-sharing plan after year 3

Job summary

A dynamic gift and incentive company located in San Diego is seeking a General Manager to lead operations and drive growth. In this full-time position, you will partner with the Company President to optimize existing systems and manage expansion strategies. Key responsibilities include scaling operations, maintaining high quality, and developing the leadership team. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in operations management, particularly in scaling businesses for growth and efficiency, and will embody the core values of integrity, kindness, and excellence.

Qualifications

8+ years in progressive operations roles required.
Experience in a General Manager or equivalent leadership role.
Track record in scaling operations while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

Lead and scale company operations to achieve profitable growth.
Partner with Company President on strategic expansion plans.
Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Skills

Operational leadership

Inventory management

Team coaching

Process improvement

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

At Lucky You, we're a thriving, established business where operational excellence and meaningful work go hand in hand. Located near downtown San Diego, CA, we're a dynamic, customer-focused company specializing in creative, high-quality custom gift and incentive programs with proven systems, strong culture, and solid processes already in place. Our core values—integrity, kindness, and excellence—guide everything we do. We're seeking a hands‑on, growth-oriented General Manager to elevate our operations, scale our existing systems to support accelerated growth, and develop our leadership team to the next level. If you're energized by taking a well‑run operation and optimizing it for significant expansion, solving complex scaling challenges, and building a world‑class team, we'd love to hear from you!

The Opportunity

This is a full‑time salaried leadership position offering competitive compensation and the chance to make a strategic, measurable impact on company growth. You'll work closely with the Company President to execute an ambitious expansion strategy, refine and scale proven processes, and develop our leadership bench strength across production, fulfillment, inventory, and support functions. This role offers the unique advantage of building on a solid foundation—taking what works and making it work better, faster, and at greater volume—while partnering with leadership to position Lucky You for the next chapter of growth.

Why You'll Thrive at Lucky You

Scale Proven Operations: Build on established systems, culture, and processes to support significant growth—optimizing efficiency, margins, and quality without starting from scratch
Strategic Growth Partnership: Partner directly with company leadership to execute expansion strategy, anticipate scaling challenges, and position the organization for sustainable, profitable growth
Leadership Development: Elevate our management team by coaching department leaders, building bench strength, and creating a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
Hands‑On Strategic Leadership: Engage in both the operational details and big‑picture thinking needed to scale—from refining production systems to expanding team capacity to implementing new technologies

Role Summary

The General Manager is responsible for leading and scaling company operations to achieve profitable growth, operational excellence, and organizational maturity. This role ensures the business runs efficiently day to day while building the systems, people, and processes needed to support long‑term expansion. The General Manager partners closely with the Company President to execute strategy, improve margins, strengthen the team, and deliver a consistently high‑quality product and customer experience.

Key Results

Profitable, well‑run operations with disciplined cost control and efficient use of resources
Scalable systems and processes that support growth
Reliable production and fulfillment that meet quality, timing, and budget expectations
A safe, compliant, and well‑maintained facility
Engaged, accountable, and well‑trained employees

Core Responsibilities

Inventory & Supply Chain Management

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure favorable pricing, terms, and reliability
Place and manage all inventory purchase orders to ensure timely procurement and cost control.
Plan and manage inventory levels to prevent shortages, over-purchasing, and obsolescence
Optimize purchasing decisions by balancing cost savings, volume discounts, and cash flow
Monitor inventory performance and continuously improve forecasting and controls
Transition purchase order responsibilities to dedicated personnel as the company scales

Production & Operations

Develop and manage production schedules to meet inventory needs, customer demand, and deadlines
Establish hourly and daily production targets; monitor performance with production leads and adjust as needed
Design, implement, and refine production line setups to maximize efficiency, throughput, and quality
Coordinate with the Company President on operational priorities, promotions, and growth initiatives
Directly manage and coach department leaders (Kitchen, Production, Shipping, Accounting) through regular 1:1 meetings focused on performance, accountability, and development
Anticipate staffing needs and lead hiring, onboarding, and training for full‑time and seasonal employees
Develop a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and teamwork
Ensure all required employee certifications and training are current and compliant

Facilities, Equipment & Technology

Oversee facility maintenance to ensure a clean, safe, organized, and inspection‑ready environment
Plan and schedule preventative maintenance for all equipment and infrastructure
Manage repairs and capital improvements, including vendor selection, bid evaluation, and cost justification
Ensure computer systems, phones, and software remain reliable and effective
Serve as primary point of contact for alarm and security systems, including after‑hours response

Processes & Quality Systems

Establish, document, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, quality, and internal controls
Evaluate and implement process improvements thoughtfully, with attention to risk, cost, and scalability
Ensure strict adherence to recipes, packaging standards, and product quality expectations
Uphold Employee Handbook policies and company standards across all departments

Legal, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Maintain all required business licenses, certifications, and regulatory filings
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, including labor, safety, and food regulations
Promote a safe workplace and ensure all safety standards are consistently followed

Leadership & Accountability

The General Manager is accountable for managing company resources productively, developing strong leaders, and executing projects that move the business forward. This role sets operational priorities, controls costs, reduces waste, and improves margins while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

The General Manager directly supervises production, kitchen, accounting, and shipping/inventory functions and serves as the primary operational liaison with suppliers, employees, regulators, and the local community.

Qualifications & Skills

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or related field or equivalent professional experience demonstrating operational leadership capability (8+ years in progressive operations roles)

Required Experience

Minimum 5-7 years of direct operations management experience, with at least 3 years in a General Manager, Operations Director, or equivalent leadership role
Proven track record scaling operations—managing growth from one phase to the next while maintaining or improving quality, efficiency, and profitability
Experience leading cross‑functional teams across production, inventory/supply chain, fulfillment, and support functions
Strong background in inventory and supply chain management, including vendor relationships, procurement optimization, and forecasting
Demonstrated expertise in process design, documentation, and continuous improvement (familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies is a plus)
Experience implementing and managing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality control systems
Track record of building and developing high‑performing teams through coaching, accountability, and culture development

Preferred Experience

Experience in manufacturing, custom production, or fulfillment‑based businesses
Background in food, beverage, or consumer goods production (preferred but not required)
Experience with inventory management systems, ERP software, or production scheduling tools
Familiarity with regulatory compliance in production environments (food safety, labor laws, facility standards)
Prior experience working directly with company founders or in fast‑growth organizations
Knowledge of cost accounting, margin analysis, and P&L management

Core Competencies

Strategic thinking combined with strong operational execution
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Problem‑solving mindset with attention to both detail and big‑picture impact
Financial acumen and disciplined cost management
Ability to build trust, develop talent, and inspire accountability
Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity in a growing organization

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary Range: Commensurate with experience and demonstrated operational leadership capability.Performance Bonus based on achievement of key operational and financial metrics
Health & Wellness: Health Insurance Reimbursement
Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of personal time off annually
Profit Sharing: SEP‑IRA profit‑sharing plan starting at year 3
Paid Holidays and Company‑Wide Celebrations to keep the team spirit alive

Physical Requirements