General Manager | Luxury Japanese Restaurant Opening

Our client is a prestigious high-end Japanese restaurant located in New York, renowned for its authentic cuisine and exceptional dining experiences. This establishment stands out in the culinary scene by offering a luxurious atmosphere paired with meticulously crafted Japanese dishes prepared by expert chefs. The restaurant prides itself on combining tradition with modernity, delivering not only exquisite food but also an immersive cultural journey for its guests. With a dedicated staff and a commitment to excellence, this restaurant has built a loyal customer base and a reputation for outstanding hospitality. The establishment operates full-time, typically requiring availability during evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the demands of a vibrant and dynamic dining environment. The employment type is full-time and exempt, offering a competitive salary range of $112,000 to $128,000, commensurate with experience.

The General Manager role is a pivotal leadership position responsible for overseeing and managing all facets of the restaurant’s daily operations. This includes ensuring a premium guest experience, maintaining high service standards, and driving the restaurant's financial success. The General Manager acts as the face of the restaurant, fostering a welcoming and professional atmosphere for both guests and staff. They will lead operations management, including supervising opening and closing procedures, monitoring financial metrics such as labor and food costs, and maintaining vendor relationships to ensure smooth procurement processes.

A critical component of this role involves team leadership – recruiting, training, coaching, and developing staff to maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce. The General Manager will conduct performance reviews and collaborate with Human Resources on hiring processes, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. Beyond internal management, the role demands active engagement with guests, building lasting relationships, promptly resolving any concerns, and consistently seeking opportunities to enhance the guest experience based on feedback.

The ideal candidate will bring over five years of hospitality management experience, including at least two years as a General Manager in fine dining or luxury hospitality environments. Strong proficiency in profit and loss (P&L) management and labor cost control is essential, alongside excellent leadership and communication skills. Familiarity with Point of Sale (POS), scheduling, and reservation systems is necessary for effective daily operation oversight.

Preferred qualifications include experience within Japanese cuisine or luxury hospitality segments, bilingual capabilities in Japanese and English, and certifications such as California Food Manager Certification (ServSafe or equivalent) and Responsible Beverage Service (RBS). This comprehensive leadership role offers the opportunity to shape a premier dining destination by elevating service quality, team performance, and operational efficiency. It is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned hospitality professional to join a respected restaurant and impact its continued success and brand prestige in the competitive New York dining market.