Restaurant General Manager, Santa Barbara

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

Job summary

Ghirardelli Chocolate in Santa Barbara, CA is seeking a General Manager to lead store operations, drive sales, and uphold our reputation for premium chocolate. You will supervise store managers, supervisors, and retail associates across peak seasons.

You will manage safety, profitability, scheduling, payroll, and training while delivering exemplary customer service and maintaining brand standards. Travel to regional locations may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• Experience in payroll, scheduling and staff development.
• Strong customer service leadership and store operations knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee store operations, delivering high customer service and profitability.
• Lead store managers, supervisors and staff, especially during peak seasons.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and brand standards daily.

Skills

Payroll management

Scheduling

Staff coaching & development

Customer service leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

POS system

Job description

WHO WE AREAt 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 SummaryThe 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 ManagementEnsures the well-being of store and its employees through effective management of safety and risk, including prevention, escalation, and responseEffectively and timely communicates with all levels of the organization by following company standards of team-building, recognition, and professionalismWorks closely with store personnel, store and division management teams, and Ghirardelli corporate liaisons, such as human resources, finance, and payrollActively operates with excellence, maximizing sales driving opportunities and actively planning to increase effectiveness within the storeRestaurant and Retail OperationsEstablishes and effectively prioritizes daily store activitiesUpholds the values of exemplary customer service by modeling behavior and leadershipMonitors sales and labor cost issues on a daily basis with a goal to maximize profitability without sacrificing customer serviceResponds in a timely manner to all escalated customer service issuesMaintains high standards of cleanliness, food/product safety, and branding requirementsProperly uses POS system in all its functionality, including payroll, inventory management, cost of goods sold, gross profit, and customer serviceWorks in tandem with regional manager to establish store plans that are attainable and growth-orientedWorks in conjunction with regional manager and finance department to establish profit and loss for the storeMaintains inventory levels at optimum efficiency through order placement via vendors and appropriate corporate personnelPeople ManagementPerforms payroll, scheduling, interviewing, selection, in-service training, and separation management in conjunction with the human resources and payroll departmentsDevelops store personnel, especially the management team, using coaching, mentoring, and empowerment practicesMinimum Education & Experience RequiredHigh school diploma or GED required, Associate or higher degree preferred, especially with culinary or managerial emphasis3+years of related experience in the restaurant or retail field at a managerial levelPrior experience at a high-volume, casual dining establishment in a general manager or regional manager role preferredPhysical, Mental, & Environmental RequirementsOccasional to Constant Repetitive Fine Manipulation (keyboarding, ten key, writing)Rare to Occasional Simple GraspingRare to Occasional ability to lift and carry up to 50 poundsOccasional to Constant SittingOccasional to Constant WalkingOccasional to Constant StandingRare to Occasional twisting of the neck and waistRare to Occasional Reaching at or below the Shoulder levelAbility to travel to various locations across the countryOccasional to Frequent usage of verbal communication equipment (telephone, radio, cellular)Rare to Occasional Squatting/Bending/Stooping/StretchingSalary Range: $71k - $85k