General Manager

General Manager - Saddlehill Cellars & Kitchen

Job Description:

Saddlehill seeks a dynamic, adaptable, and passionate leader in the food & beverage and hospitality industry to serve as General Manager for our farmhouse kitchen and wine tasting room operations. Our 7,000 sq ft tasting room and farm-to-table bistro has become a premier agri-tourism and culinary destination in the region.

This position is unique due to our strong seasonal business cycle: operations are robust from May through the end of October, followed by a significant volume downturn in the off-season, as well as distinct mid-week lulls even during peak season. We are looking for a true, hands-on General Manager who will lead both Front-of-House (FOH) and Back-of-House (BOH) operations.

During high-volume periods, you will direct team strategy, customer experience, and high-level execution. During low-volume windows, mid-week days, or off-season periods, you must have an owner-operator mentality and be fully willing to roll up your sleeves—working directly on the floor as the sole server or one of two servers as needed to keep prime labor costs strictly in check while upholding guest standards.

Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the tasting room and farmhouse kitchen, ensuring efficiency and adherence to all service standards.
• Team Management & Development: Lead, mentor, and manage the front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) teams. This includes recruitment, training, performance management, and fostering a collaborative, positive work environment.
• Financial Oversight: Oversee the departmental budget, control operational expenses, and drive revenue growth across all business lines.
• Guest Experience: Cultivate and maintain an exceptional guest experience, ensuring every visitor feels welcome and delighted, from the moment they arrive to their departure.
• Sales & Revenue Generation: Identify opportunities to drive revenue through wine sales, food and beverage offerings, events, and wine club memberships.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Work closely with the winemaking, culinary, and marketing teams to create a cohesive and integrated brand experience that highlights our farm-to-table and horse-themed concepts.
• Event Planning & Execution: Lead the planning and execution of private and public events, tours, and special occasion events, ensuring they meet the high standards of Saddlehill.
• Brand Ambassador: Act as a key brand representative, ensuring a consistent and positive brand image across all guest touchpoints.
• Reporting & Analysis: Track and analyze key performance indicators for sales, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency to identify areas for improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., hospitality management, business) or equivalent experience in a leadership role within a winery or high-volume restaurant.
• A minimum of six years of progressive leadership experience in a food & beverage or hospitality setting, with a proven track record of managing staff of 30 or more (based on the original job description and financial reports).
• Experience with financial management, including budgeting and P&L analysis, for businesses with revenue of over $5 million.
• Strong understanding of wine, culinary, and special events is highly desirable.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills with a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage dynamic priorities and work strategically and collaboratively across different departments.
• A strong ownership mentality and work ethic.
• Proficiency with hospitality POS and management systems (e.g., Tock, Toast, Teamwork by Dolce).
• High level of confidentiality is a must.

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunity.
• Health benefits and 401K plan with a generous employer match.

Saddlehill is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.