Opening General Manager (New Brewery Concept)

Hospitality Confidential; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid time off

Free parking

Free shift meals

Employee discounts

Job summary

Hospitality Confidential is seeking an Opening General Manager to oversee a brand-new brewery in downtown Pasadena. The role is to build operations from the ground up, own the guest experience, and lead a people-first team in a space designed to welcome everyone.

You will partner with ownership, the Head Brewer, and the Kitchen Manager to ensure the brewery runs smoothly, stays true to its vibe, and delivers outstanding hospitality while driving profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or equivalent in hospitality or business.
• 5+ years in GM or equivalent leadership role in hospitality.
• Experience in high-volume beverage/food operations preferred.
• Strong P&L and cost-control capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Own the guest experience, both in-store and online, and manage guest relations.
• Lead and develop FOH/BOH teams to deliver best-in-class hospitality.
• Oversee P&L, budgets, labor, COGS, and events to ensure profitability.
• Build and manage a pre-opening plan, SOPs, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure health, safety, and brand standards are maintained.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

P&L management

Customer service excellence

Team development

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality or Business

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Hospitality Confidential is pleased to present an amazing opportunity for an Opening General Manager to oversee and manage daily operations for a brand-new brewery set on an acre in downtown Pasadena!

Our client is not trying to be a "destination" or a "concept." They just want to make really good beer and have a spot where you can bring literally anyone — your grandpa, your baby, your dog, your weird coworker — and everyone has a good time. Opening in 2026, and they’re looking for people who get that vibe and want to help us build it from scratch.

The General Manager is the heartbeat of the day-to-day operation. You'll own the guest experience,

the team, the numbers, and the space, and you'll have a real seat at the table as we grow. You're a

people-first leader who can hold a conversation with a first-time visitor and a longtime regular in the

same breath, and you understand that hospitality and profitability aren't in tension, they reinforce

each other. You'll work closely with ownership, the Head Brewer, and the Kitchen Manager to make

sure, the brewery runs smoothly, looks great, and stays true to what it's supposed to be: a place

where everyone feels welcome. This is an opening role, and the right person will take pride in

building something from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities include:

Happy Guests:

• Actively ensure all guests receive the high-touch experience both in-store and virtually

  through verbal and written communications.

• Keep the space in good working condition and address guest concerns in a timely manner.

• Ensure guest satisfaction remains high in order to increase repeat business and word of

  mouth marketing

• Maintain good reviews online with an overall star rating of 4.5 or above

• Perform regular table touches and guest check-ins and record feedback on a regular basis

• Get to know regulars on a first name basis and anticipate their needs

• Become familiar with the local and surrounding neighbors in order to build strong

  relationships and maintain good standing within the community.

Happy Team:

• Lead by example to ensure all staff is consistently providing best in class hospitality to every

  guest

• Build and maintain a staff beer education program so every team member can speak

  confidently about the product

• Operate a successful training program for all FOH positions and support Kitchen Manager in

  running a successful BOH training program.

• Manage staff by working alongside the team in peak hours

• Motivate staff by reward rather than punishment and create a path for internal promotion

A Profitable Operation:

• Own the P&L. Seek savings where applicable.

• Manage additional revenue opportunities while maintaining the core focus of the business

  and the role

• Oversee keg inventory and ensure accurate pour and yield tracking to support COGS targets

• Keep control of all site budgets, including but not limited to, labor, COGS and events

• Keep control of all department costs, working collaboratively with Kitchen Manager and

  Master Brewer as needed

• Partner with the Master Brewer to manage the tap list, seasonal releases, and guest-facing

• Keep turnover low by recruiting and motivating all FOH teams and departments

• Work with finance team to ensure invoicing is accurate and vendors are paid on time

• Manage ongoing contracts and negotiate new savings and/or contracts with third party

  vendors with approval from ownership where appropriate

• Ensure all repairs and maintenance are done preventatively with any issues addressed

  speedily

• Liaise with the marketing team to ensure campaigns and communications are aligned with

Site Management:

• Maintain a Pass on all city health inspections

• Ensure the restaurant upholds its original design aesthetic and maintains architectural and

  brand integrity, keeping a keen eye on storage “creep” and visual clutter.

• Create new systems and improve existing ones for operational efficiency (SOPs) as the

  business needs change

• Troubleshoot issues effectively; balance aesthetic and brand considerations with viable

  commercial and long-term solutions

• Ensure that the space is safe and secure for guests and staff

• Maintain taproom equipment (lines, taps, coolers) and coordinate cleaning and service

Event Management:

• Own the events calendar from concept to execution, including tap releases, community

  events, and private buyouts

• Manage an events revenue stream with clear pricing, booking policies, and capacity

  guidelines

• Collaborate with marketing to promote events and ensure brand consistency across all

  programming

• Build relationships with local organizations and businesses to drive community-focused

  programming aligned with the clients ethos

• Highlight any major opportunities or risks so the business can respond as necessary

• Understand when it is appropriate to elevate an issue and how best to communicate those

  escalations

• Work with other departments to create a nightly/weekly/monthly report for senior

  management

• Take ownership of key responsibilities and “manage up” by bringing solutions rather than

  problems to superiors.

Compliance:

• Maintain compliance with all health and safety standards and best practices

• Maintain an injury free work environment

• Maintain an up to date Employee Handbook and ensure all HR best practices and regional

  laws are being followed

• Maintain the brewery's California ABC license and ensure full compliance with all conditions

  of licensure

• Ensure all service staff hold current Food Handlers and RBS certification as required by

• Enforce age verification protocols and train staff on proper ID-checking procedures

• Manage hours of service and ensure all staff understand and follow legal service limits

• Confer with internal legal counsel when appropriate

Pre-opening Support:

• Partner with ownership and consulting team to support the build-out and opening process,

  including staff hiring, onboarding, and training

• Contribute to the development of opening SOPs, systems, and standards as directed by

  ownership and consultants

• Serve as a key point of contact for pre-opening logistics and help ensure a smooth handoff

  from build-out to daily operations

The ideal candidate will be:

• A hospitality nerd

• Connected to the Pasadena area and its diverse community

• Able to read people and rooms well

• A compassionate and thoughtful leader

• Resourceful and solution driven

• Entrepreneurial in spirit

• Willing to learn

• Diplomatic and empathetic in management style

• Equally comfortable engaging guests on the floor and interpreting a P&L

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong background in hospitality, preferably in high volume and brand forward environments

• Appreciation for beer

• Love for community and a desire to bring people together

• A strong aesthetic sensibility and respect for brand integrity

• Ability to manage a team made up of both exempt and non-exempt staff

• Demonstrated experience managing a P&L and controlling costs in a food and beverage

• Strong understanding of California labor laws as related to the position and its direct reports

• 5+ years in a GM role

Reports to: Owner Operator & Operations Consultant

• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans with 90% employer medical contribution on Gold PPO Plan

• Starting at 12 days' vacation days + more paid time off allowance annually

• Free parking

• Free shift meals

• Employee discounts on food and beverages

Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.