General Manager

Facility:
Blue Jay Bistro

Location:
Cashiers, NC

Position:
General Manager

The General Manager Opportunity at Blue Jay Bistro:
An amazing opportunity exists for a candidate with a successful track record of leadership and high-quality F&B operations. Bluejay Industries is searching for a General Manager (GM) who will be part of a unique revitalization program of downtown Littleton, NC located just five miles south of the expansive and beautiful Lake Gaston. The owner's, Ed and Deb Fitts are seeking a hands-on, well-rounded professional who will oversee and manage their 120 seat Blue Jay Bistro. A Spring 2021 launch date is planned for the restaurant. 

The primary focus of the role is on the overall customer experience and team development.  The GM must have the ability to hire, train and consistently coordinate the daily operations of the restaurant. Equally important is the ability to intuitively embrace the need to be visible and highly interactive with the restaurant guests and staff; leadership in this area begins and ends with approachability and accessibility. In addition, the GM will exemplify the owner's commitment to integrity, high level of professionalism as well as sustainability and stewardship.

The Blue Jay Bistro Vision by the Owners:
Blue Jay Bistro on Main Street in downtown Littleton, North Carolina, is a realization of our vision: To return to Ed's beloved hometown (where he played football and basketball for the Littleton Blue Jays, his high school alma mater) and create a unique culinary experience unlike any other; for Blue Jay Bistro to serve as a symbol for an exceptional dining experience for local and surrounding communities. 

We want residents and visitors alike to experience Contemporary American dining at its best.  A combination of traditional and creative dishes using only the freshest and finest ingredients sourced locally and globally.  Providing uncompromising quality and professional attentive service.
— Ed & Deb Fitts

While the restaurant will be open year-round there is an expected seasonal spike starting in the spring, peaking in the summer months and tapering off in the fall from Lake Gaston residents. Lake Gaston attracts 150k people from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the Blue Jay Bistro is expected to be a popular draw for those residents. 

Blue Jay Bistro Website:
www.bluejaybistro.com  

General Manager Position Overview:
The General Manager is responsible for all food & beverage service operations on a daily basis. Being the "public face" of these operations with a hands-on approach and an understanding that full "on-the-floor" guest and staff engagement is critical to success in this position. The GM consistently provides superb dining and other food and beverage experiences for the Blue Jay Bistro guests. A most critical relationship is that with the Executive Chef, ensuring collaborative and harmonious relationships between front and back of house operations.

Key Responsibilities:
The General Manager will:

• Be the primary coordinator of food and beverage budgeting, hiring, coaching, training, orientations and creating a culture of teamwork, and the supervision of associates to ensure all is done in accordance with state and local regulations.
• He or she must be able to communicate expectations to a staff with diverse backgrounds and motivate them positively to understand and execute to those expectations.
• Oversee all dining areas to ensure smooth operations, high levels of guest satisfaction, quality food products and exemplary service in conjunction with the Executive Chef.
• Be actively involved in the recruitment, selection, training and oversight of the staff. 
• Understand how to affect LBW and food costs to achieve established by owners' financial goals. 
• Have an elevated understanding of spirits, beer and wine and be able to communicate appropriate wine pairings with menu items to the staff and restaurant guests.
• Assist in planning and be responsible for ensuring that special events are well-conceived and executed.
• Oversee all private social functions.
• Clearly understand and demonstrate best practices in restaurant management including but not limited to; correct opening, running and closing sidework for all restaurant positions, daily, weekly and monthly financial reconciliation. 
• Be able to manipulate the POS system in all facets of restaurant operations in addition to running daily, weekly and monthly reports and program new items correctly. 
• Ensure adherence to, and compliance with, all health, safety, liquor consumption, and all other food and beverage regulations.  
• Be responsible for the management of all alcoholic beverage inventories and purchases and execute accurate LBW inventories on a regular basis.
• Consistently monitor payroll and labor resource allocations to ensure they are in line with financial forecasting and goals.
• Be an active and dynamic team player who is willing to be "hands on" at all times to ensure successful restaurant operations.
• Involve associates in the decision-making process of how 'work gets done' and creates a work environment people want to come to and participate every day.
• Have a passion and aptitude for teaching and training and develop and enhance training programs for all food service personnel, working, as necessary, with the managers directly responsible for those operations.
• Be a focused and consistent evaluator of personnel, ensuring that standards of conduct and delivery are met; this includes oversight of high standards of appearance, hospitality, service, and cleanliness of the restaurant facilities.
• Conduct and/or oversee training programs for food service personnel on various issues including service techniques, knowledge of menu items and daily specials, sanitation, team building and conflict resolution; regularly test and evaluate knowledge and understanding of these expectations.
• Ensure that an effective orientation and onboarding program exists in all areas of responsibility, along with consistent professional development and training.
• Hold weekly staff meetings with direct reports to keep them informed of necessary and relevant activities and expectations at the restaurant.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef to facilitate a strong relationship between kitchen and restaurant departments.
• Ensure that associates clearly understand performance expectations and that assigned tasks are reasonable, well-conceived and appropriately conveyed. Provide resources necessary to allow employees to perform their jobs effectively and create an exceptional ambience for guests.
• Establish and uphold expectations for dress and other service standards and consistently monitor for adherence at all times. 
• Reporting directly to the owners, the GM will possess a rare combination of an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion to build and be part of a local community.
• Most importantly, this position requires relocation and a commitment to building and fostering lasting relationships with the local community in and around Littleton, NC.

Annette Whittley, Consulting and Search Executive
KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE
[email protected]
561-827- 1945