General Manager

Purpose

The General Manager at Edley's BBQ is a dynamic leader responsible for championing our 'Southern Soul' culture, developing our team, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for hospitality and a commitment to operational excellence. In addition, this individual will have a fine eye for exceptional service and food execution, while also having a finger on the pulse of current trends in the marketplace. The General Manager will be a sales builder and a true brand ambassador with sound business acumen and a true passion for the hospitality service industry, alongside being a strategic thought partner for the leadership team of the company, as they continue to expand and grow the brand.

Primary Responsibilities

• Champion the "Southern Soul": Embody and promote Edley's unique culture, fostering a positive and collaborative environment. Teach, protect, and hire for the "Southern Soul," ensuring our team reflects our values.
• Develop Our People: Lead the charge in making Edley's the employer of choice in every market by prioritizing people development. Create a supportive and growth-oriented environment for our team members.
• Deliver Exceptional Guest Experiences: Ensure impeccable, hospitable service standards and uphold our core values of treating guests like family. Be passionate about creating memorable interactions with every guest.
• Drive Revenue Growth: Lead the team to achieve and exceed sales targets, maximizing revenue in existing units. Meet or exceed forecasted expectations.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Regional Manager of Operations and the leadership team to develop strategies for operational excellence and future expansion. Contribute to the development of infrastructure, systems, and operational support.
• Brand Stewardship: Partner with marketing and operations to consistently execute on our brand differentiators: best smoked meats and sides, a unique atmosphere, and active community engagement. Communicate the brand vision.
• Operational Leadership: Lead and direct all operations for the Edley's Bar-B-Que concept, including full P&L responsibility. Continuously improve sales and profitability without sacrificing culture or quality. Oversee new restaurant openings.
• Financial & Operational Oversight: Analyze financial and operational performance daily, weekly, and quarterly. Take proactive steps to address any challenges. Ensure guest satisfaction, product quality, operational standards, facilities management, local marketing, and community relations.
• Inspire & Lead: Build and motivate a high-performing team with a hands-on, authentic management style. Achieve both short- and long-term company financial objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in restaurant general management, preferably in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• A passion for hospitality and a commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Financial acumen and a proven track record of driving sales and profitability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A genuine appreciation for the "Southern Soul" culture and Nashville community.
• Ability to think strategically.

Desired Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in restaurant general management, preferably in a high-volume, full-service environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing teams, driving sales, and controlling costs.
• Proficiency with restaurant POS systems and other relevant software.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience is highly desirable.
• Relevant certifications, such as ServSafe, are a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Standing and Walking: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, as the role involves overseeing kitchen operations and interacting with staff and guests.
• Mobility and Movement: Ability to move freely throughout the kitchen and restaurant, including navigating tight spaces and varying floor surfaces.
• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry moderate weights, such as food supplies, equipment, and inventory items. While heavy lifting might not be the primary function, it could be required occasionally.
• Reaching and Bending: Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, and kneeling to access ingredients, equipment, and storage areas.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle tools, equipment, and paperwork. The ability to use knifes and other kitchen tools.
• Visual Acuity: Must have good visual acuity to monitor food quality, observe cooking processes, and read reports and documents.
• Auditory Acuity: Must be able to hear and understand verbal instructions and communication in a noisy kitchen environment.
• Ability to work in a hot and humid environment, as kitchens can become very warm, especially near smokers and grills.
• Ability to work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Qualifications:

Edley's is known for delivering a unique and memorable experience in our restaurants. And our catering and events team is responsible for delivering that same experience at events through living our values, or Southern Soul.

Southern Soul:

• Gutsy – We are doers that do whatever it takes.
• Responsible – We are relentless on standards and kind on people.
• Impassioned – We are passionate that our restaurants be the best.
• Thoughtful – We treat our guests and teams as family and help them create memorable moments.

Our General Managers must possess:

• Progressive leadership career in both operations and/or across other functional disciplines within the restaurant industry, preferably with experience in both mid-size chains and small entrepreneurial environments; particularly important is experience with innovative, successful approaches to training, staffing, restaurant openings, retention of management, operations support, and detailed operations execution
• Comfort with ambiguity, light structure, and entrepreneurial growth environment
• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to balance the long-term objectives with day-to-day tactical realities as well as analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to handle complexity
• Passion and proven track record of developing people both at the unit level and the Manager level
• Extremely high standards in terms of food and service quality, and extremely low tolerance for subpar performance
• The ability to think creatively and contribute beyond the operations arena suggesting changes that will appreciably enhance the business and its balance sheet
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with the leadership team, providing sound strategic advice through periods of change and growth
• The ability to attract, inspire and build best-in-class teams
• Personal characteristics that include a high level of personal motivation/ambition and enthusiasm, an entrepreneurial sensibility, high energy with a focus on detail, an innate curiosity, excellent and persuasive communication style, presentation and organizational skills, and the highest level of integrity, ethics, and business judgment