Restaurant General Manager, Santa Barbara

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt & Sprüngli Group is seeking a General Manager to lead a high-volume store, upholding premium service and brand standards. You will supervise store managers, supervisors, and retail associates, ensuring safety, quality, and profitability while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

The role requires strong leadership in daily operations, budgeting, and staff development. A dynamic, international environment offers growth opportunities and a path to retail excellence.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate or higher degree preferred, especially with culinary or managerial emphasis.
• 3+ years of related experience in the restaurant or retail field at a managerial level.
• Prior experience at a high-volume, casual dining establishment in a general manager or regional manager role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and effectively prioritizes daily store activities.
• Upholds the values of exemplary customer service by modeling behavior and leadership.
• Monitors sales and labor cost issues daily to maximize profitability without sacrificing service.
• Responds promptly to escalated customer service issues.
• Maintains high standards of cleanliness, food/product safety, and branding.
• Works with regional manager to establish attainable, growth-oriented store plans.

Skills

People leadership

Operational management

Staff development

Customer service excellence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree

Tools

POS system

Payroll processes

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.

Job Summary

The General Manager is most directly responsible and accountable for all aspects of managing our store and upholding the high standards of the Company and its reputation. The General Manager ensures that the store operates in a way that delivers excellent customer service, maximizes financial return, and fosters an environment that makes Ghirardelli a great place to work for our employees. The General Manager is the leader of store managers, supervisors, and retail associates who fluctuate between 85-100 employees and swell during the peak summer months with overseas students employed seasonally on cultural work visas.

General Management

Ensures the well-being of store and its employees through effective management of safety and risk, including prevention, escalation, and response.

Effectively and timely communicates with all levels of the organization by following company standards of team-building, recognition, and professionalism.

Works closely with store personnel, store and division management teams, and Ghirardelli corporate liaisons, such as human resources, finance, and payroll.

Actively operates with excellence, maximizing sales driving opportunities and actively planning to increase effectiveness within the store.

Restaurant and Retail Operations

Establishes and effectively prioritizes daily store activities.

Upholds the values of exemplary customer service by modeling behavior and leadership.

Monitors sales and labor cost issues on a daily basis with a goal to maximize profitability without sacrificing customer service.

Responds in a timely manner to all escalated customer service issues.

Maintains high standards of cleanliness, food/product safety, and branding requirements.

Properly uses POS system in all its functionality, including payroll, inventory management, cost of goods sold, gross profit, and customer service.

Works in tandem with regional manager to establish store plans that are attainable and growth-oriented.

Works in conjunction with regional manager and finance department to establish profit and loss for the store.

Maintains inventory levels at optimum efficiency through order placement via vendors and appropriate corporate personnel.

People Management

Performs payroll, scheduling, interviewing, selection, in-service training, and separation management in conjunction with the human resources and payroll departments.

Develops store personnel, especially the management team, using coaching, mentoring, and empowerment practices.

Minimum Education & Experience Required

High school diploma or GED required, Associate or higher degree preferred, especially with culinary or managerial emphasis.

3+years of related experience in the restaurant or retail field at a managerial level.

Prior experience at a high-volume, casual dining establishment in a general manager or regional manager role preferred.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

Occasional to Constant Repetitive Fine Manipulation (keyboarding, ten key, writing) Rare to Occasional Simple Grasping Rare to Occasional ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds Occasional to Constant Sitting Occasional to Constant Walking Occasional to Constant Standing Rare to Occasional twisting of the neck and waist Rare to Occasional Reaching at or below the Shoulder level Ability to travel to various locations across the country Occasional to Frequent usage of verbal communication equipment (telephone, radio, cellular) Rare to Occasional Squatting/Bending/Stooping/Stretching.

Salary Range: $71k - $85k

Looking to grow your career in a dynamic, international setting? Join the Lindt & Sprüngli Group! Together, we thrive to achieve our bold ambitions, powered by our purpose and unique culture of community and mutual support – rooted in a proud tradition, yet always evolving to stay ahead and set new standards.

Across our diverse local teams, we think globally and act locally – empowering people to grow, take ownership and shape a sustainable future together.

We are a responsible “employer of choice” who provides an inspiring people experience. Together, we build trust, drive innovation, and grow – as individuals and as a business.

Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025.

Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company’s actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.