Brass Bear Team
Brass Bear is a small, family-run business with two locations in Santa Barbara. We’re a professional, fun-loving group who genuinely enjoy working together, with a shared goal of being known for our hospitality, great food, craft drinks, and memorable events.
About the Role
The General Manager, Restaurant Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership of both Brass Bear locations, ensuring exceptional hospitality, operational excellence, and financial performance. This role oversees restaurant operations, events and catering, inventory management, purchasing, cash handling, facilities, and guest experience while maintaining company standards, financial controls, and a safe working environment.
As the events business continues to be a key driver of the company's growth, this position provides hands-on operational leadership to support the successful planning and execution of private events, working closely with the Events team to deliver outstanding guest experiences and operational excellence.
Working in partnership with the General Manager, People Operations, both leaders collaborate to ensure the overall success of the business and are expected to independently lead restaurant operations in the other's absence.
Key Responsibilities
Restaurant Operations
- Oversee daily restaurant operations across both locations.
- Ensure consistent execution of company standards.
- Monitor restaurant appearance, cleanliness, maintenance, and presentation.
- Maintain table settings, décor, signage, menus, and overall brand presentation.
- Ensure successful operational execution of all events while supporting the continued growth, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
Inventory & Purchasing
- Oversee inventory management and ordering.
- Monitor food, beverage, and supply costs.
- Develop inventory controls to minimize waste.
- Manage vendor relationships and purchasing processes.
Cash Management
- Oversee cash handling procedures.
- Ensure safe counts and money drawer reconciliations.
- Complete bank deposits and banking reconciliation procedures.
- Maintain financial controls for cash handling.
Financial Performance
- Monitor food cost, beverage cost, and controllable expenses.
- Support owners in achieving operational budgets.
- Review restaurant performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
Guest Experience
- Ensure exceptional guest service at both locations.
- Resolve escalated guest concerns.
- Monitor guest feedback and online reviews.
- Continuously improve operational efficiency and hospitality standards.
Leadership
- Support restaurant supervisors and shift leaders.
- Provide operational leadership when the People Operations Manager is unavailable.
- Partner with owners on operational improvements and special projects.
Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
- Ensure both restaurant locations operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local health, food safety, alcohol service, and operational regulations.
- Maintain compliance with Health Department requirements, food handling standards, Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) requirements, OSHA, and workplace safety practices.
- Oversee restaurant licenses, permits, inspections, equipment maintenance, and operational compliance requirements.
- Ensure cash handling procedures, banking processes, inventory controls, and security measures are consistently followed.
- Conduct regular operational audits to ensure cleanliness, safety, and adherence to Brass Bear operating standards.
- Investigate operational incidents and implement corrective actions to reduce business risk.
- Partner with the People Operations Manager to maintain a safe workplace, support workers' compensation claims, and ensure employees receive required operational and safety training.
Shared Leadership Expectations
Both managers are expected to:
- Work collaboratively across both Brass Bear locations.
- Maintain open communication and shared accountability.
- Support one another during vacations, illness, or absences.
- Make independent operational decisions within their scope of responsibility.
- Partner with ownership on strategic initiatives and continuous improvement.
- Promote a positive, respectful, and accountable workplace culture.
- Represent the Brass Bear brand and values in every interaction.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of progressive restaurant or hospitality management experience, including multi-unit leadership preferred.
- Proven experience managing restaurant operations, inventory, purchasing, food and beverage costs, and financial performance.
- Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, guest service, hospitality, and quality standards.
- Experience managing inventory systems, vendor relationships, ordering, and cost control initiatives.
- Experience overseeing cash handling, banking procedures, and financial controls.
- Thorough knowledge of food safety regulations, Health Department standards, OSHA requirements, and Responsible Beverage Service (RBS).
- Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional guest experiences.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret financial reports and operational metrics.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency with POS systems, inventory management, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, and Slack.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to travel regularly between both Brass Bear locations.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.
Success in this role will be measured by delivering exceptional guest experiences while maintaining operational efficiency, financial performance, and brand consistency across both Brass Bear locations.
- Guest satisfaction and positive customer feedback.
- Achievement of food, beverage, and labor cost targets.
- Inventory accuracy and effective inventory control.
- Reduction of food waste, spoilage, and unnecessary operational costs.
- Successful health department inspections and ongoing regulatory compliance.
- Accuracy of cash handling, banking, and financial controls.
- Consistent restaurant cleanliness, presentation, and adherence to Brass Bear brand standards.
- Achievement of profitability, revenue, and operational performance goals.
- Operational efficiency through effective systems, processes, and continuous improvement.
- Equipment maintenance, facility standards, and workplace safety compliance.
- Successful execution of events, catering, and operational initiatives that support business growth.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $71,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Shift:
Application Question(s):
- Do you have leadership experience?
Experience:
- hospitality operations: 5 years (Required)
Language:
- English (Required)
- Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (Required)
Work Location: In person
