Build something exceptional
Some restaurants hire General Managers to maintain what's already been built. We're looking for someone to build something people will remember.
Cowboy Cantina is an upscale Mexican restaurant and cocktail destination opening soon in Oakdale. Our vision combines elevated cuisine, genuine hospitality, handcrafted cocktails, and an atmosphere guests choose for celebrations, date nights, and memorable evenings.
Before searching for our General Manager, we intentionally assembled key members of our leadership team—including our Executive Chef, Sous Chef, and Front of House leadership. They're already hard at work developing the menu, guest experience, and service philosophy. Now we're looking for the leader who can bring it all together—not simply to manage a restaurant, but to create a culture.
This isn't a maintenance job
This is an opportunity to shape every part of a new restaurant. You'll help establish standards, build accountability, coach leaders, create systems, solve problems, celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and ultimately become the person our employees trust and our guests recognize.
You'll thrive here if…
- You enjoy walking the dining room more than sitting behind a desk.
- You believe great hospitality starts with taking care of your employees.
- You can read a P&L just as comfortably as you can resolve a guest concern.
- You expect excellence without creating fear.
- You understand culture is created by what leaders consistently tolerate and celebrate.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and build an established leadership team; drive guest experience; oversee daily operations; manage profitability, labor, food and beverage costs; scheduling; inventory; vendor relationships; staffing and coaching; compliance; operational systems; and partner directly with ownership.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first year, you'll help establish a highly engaged leadership team, consistent guest experiences, a strong online reputation, healthy financial performance, and operational systems built for long-term success.
Qualifications
- 5+ years leading a successful full-service restaurant
- Strong P&L and financial management experience
- Proven leadership and coaching ability
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience in upscale or polished casual dining preferred
- ServSafe Manager and California RBS preferred
- Spanish language skills are a plus
Compensation & Benefits
- $80,000–$95,000 annual salary
- Quarterly performance bonus
- Health benefit stipend
- Paid Time Off
- Leadership autonomy and direct partnership with ownership
Our Philosophy
We believe great leadership is measured by the success of the people around you.
We're looking for someone who takes pride in developing others, creating systems that last, and building a restaurant known for exceptional hospitality, operational excellence, and a culture people are proud to be part of.
We're looking for one exceptional leader—not the first available one.
If you're reading this and thinking, "This sounds like the restaurant I've been waiting for," we'd encourage you to introduce yourself. We aren't simply filling a position—we're building a leadership team that will define Cowboy Cantina from day one.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- What does exceptional leadership in a restaurant look like to you, and how have you demonstrated those qualities in your own career? Please include a specific example.
Experience:
- Restaurant management: 5 years (Preferred)
- Restaurant P&L: 5 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
