General Manager - Starbucks

About Tailwind Hospitality

Tailwind Hospitality, Inc. is a premier full-service airport concessionaire headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 2004, Tailwind specializes in developing, managing, and operating food, beverage, and retail concepts across airports and transit hubs nationwide.

Our teams serve travelers every day, creating memorable experiences in some of the most dynamic hospitality environments in the country.

At Tailwind, we believe great operations start with great people. We give our leaders the opportunity to take ownership, develop their teams, and build businesses they can be proud of.

About the Role

As the General Manager of Starbucks at PWM, you will have ownership of the store’s daily operations, team leadership, financial performance, and guest experience.

You will serve as the main keyholder, taking responsibility for opening and closing the location and ensuring the store is fully prepared to deliver a consistently excellent Starbucks experience.

This role is ideal for a hospitality professional who is comfortable being visible and hands-on. You’ll spend significant time on the floor, working alongside your team, coaching employees, solving problems, and ensuring guests receive friendly, efficient service.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the daily operation of the Starbucks location from open through close
• Serving as the primary keyholder, including opening and closing the store
• Building, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
• Creating a positive, accountable, and service-focused work environment
• Delivering an exceptional guest experience in a fast-paced airport environment
• Managing labor, payroll, scheduling, and staffing levels to meet business needs
• Using forecasting and scheduling tools to optimize labor and maximize efficiency
• Managing food, beverage, and operating costs while maintaining quality standards
• Monitoring sales, expenses, and overall financial performance
• Identifying opportunities to improve sales, profitability, productivity, and guest satisfaction
• Ensuring the location consistently meets company, Starbucks, food safety, sanitation, and operational standards
• Maintaining a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming environment for both guests and employees
• Managing inventory, supplies, ordering, and vendor relationships
• Ensuring equipment is properly maintained and operational
• Addressing guest and employee concerns professionally and effectively
• Communicating business priorities, expectations, and performance goals to the team
• Conducting regular team meetings, coaching conversations, and performance follow-up
• Partnering with Tailwind leadership and airport stakeholders to support overall business objectives
• Maintaining compliance with airport security, safety, and operating requirements
• Protecting company assets and maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary information
• Stepping in wherever needed to support the team and keep the operation running smoothly

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a hands-on hospitality leader who understands that successful operations are built on people, consistency, and execution.

The ideal candidate has:

• 2–5 years of General Manager or comparable restaurant/hospitality management experience
• Strong food and beverage or restaurant management experience
• Previous experience opening and closing a restaurant, retail, or hospitality location
• Experience serving as a keyholder or having primary responsibility for the security and operation of a location
• Experience managing labor, scheduling, food costs, and operating expenses
• A demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams
• Strong financial and P&L management skills
• A track record of improving operational performance and profitability
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-oriented in a high-volume environment
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability
• A genuine passion for hospitality and taking care of guests

Why This Role?

Lead. Own. Grow.

As the General Manager, you’ll have a direct impact on the success of one of Tailwind’s airport locations. You’ll have the opportunity to build a strong team, improve operations, drive financial performance, and create an experience that travelers remember.

Airport hospitality moves quickly, and no two days are exactly alike. From the first guest of the morning to the final close of the night, you’ll be at the center of the operation.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your hospitality career and lead a high-energy Starbucks location in one of Maine’s busiest travel environments, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications & Requirements

• 2–5 years of General Manager, Restaurant Manager, or comparable hospitality leadership experience
• Food and beverage, restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume retail management experience
• Demonstrated experience opening and closing business locations
• Keyholder experience strongly preferred
• ServSafe certification preferred/required
• Food Handler certification preferred/required
• Must be able to pass a background check and meet applicable airport security requirements
• Must have reliable transportation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by airport operations

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $60,000 – $70,000

Tailwind offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Training
• Management Bonus Program
• 401(k) with Company Matching
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance

Our Mission & Philosophy

At Tailwind Hospitality, we believe the journey should be just as good as the destination.

Our goal is to bring warm, welcoming hospitality to travelers through great food, thoughtful service, and memorable experiences. Whether a guest has time to relax with a coffee before a flight or needs to grab something quickly on the way to their gate, our teams are there to make the experience better.

We understand that airport hospitality requires flexibility, energy, and an unwavering commitment to service. Our leaders play a critical role in bringing that philosophy to life every day.

Tailwind Hospitality encourages Veterans and Military family members to apply.

Tailwind Concessions is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact our Human Resources department.