General Manager

Kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 is a well-established bakery and cafe brand known for its commitment to quality, community presence, and a unique blend of artisan bread and fresh, made-from-scratch meals. Located in the Provo area, Kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 prides itself on not only serving delicious food but also cultivating a culture of leadership, operational excellence, and financial discipline within its team. This establishment operates with a clear emphasis on performance-driven leadership, offering a balance of steady business growth and strong community involvement. They focus on creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and challenged to grow professionally. Employment at Kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 is primarily full-time with a competitive base salary supplemented by performance-based bonuses, signifying their commitment to rewarding effective leadership and operational success. The company culture promotes work-life balance by providing Sundays and major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas off, recognizing the importance of personal time away from the business.

The role of General Manager at Kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 is a high-level leadership position that goes far beyond the typical shift management. The General Manager is envisioned as the CEO of the store, responsible for the overall operational and financial success. This position demands a disciplined operator comfortable with full profit and loss accountability, meaning they oversee every aspect of financial performance including labor and food costs, ensuring prime cost management and driving sales growth strategies. The role emphasizes leadership development and culture ownership, positioning the General Manager as the primary individual responsible for building and maintaining a strong team culture characterized by accountability and low conflict. Critical responsibilities include hiring and developing a capable leadership team, sustaining guest loyalty, fostering local community presence, and ensuring operational compliance and execution across all facets of the store's functions. Success in this role is measured by key performance indicators such as controlling prime costs with strict discipline, achieving consistent year-over-year sales growth, minimizing leadership turnover, developing a clear succession plan for future leadership, and nurturing a healthy, results-oriented culture.

Candidates considered for this position typically bring between three to five or more years of high-volume restaurant or foodservice leadership experience with a proven track record in financial management — specifically profit and loss, labor percentage, and food cost percentage control. They must possess strong financial acumen alongside excellent people leadership skills, capable of building and retaining motivated leadership teams. The ideal General Manager exhibits emotional maturity, fostering team alignment and steering clear of political dynamics, with a mindset oriented toward long-term organizational success rather than short-term fixes. There is a unique growth opportunity inherent in this position, as Kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 seeks leaders who think like owners. Exceptional performers may move toward operating partner roles, where increased ownership and influence in the business come from demonstrated trust and sustained results rather than entitlement. This structure encourages motivated leaders to view their role as integral to the bakery's long-term vision and prosperity.

In summary, this General Manager position is ideal for a strategic, disciplined leader who values balance but prioritizes business performance and team culture. The schedule includes important seasonal leadership responsibilities with peak business days requiring presence, but the company supports a healthy work-life balance by observing important rest days such as Sundays and major holidays. With competitive compensation, bonuses, and clear growth pathways, kneaders Bakery & Caf\u00e9 offers a vibrant, rewarding environment for leaders dedicated to operating a successful, community-centered bakery and cafe business.