General Manager/Director of Operations
About The Position
The Founding General Manager / Director of Operations will lead The Drop Yard, an outdoor entertainment destination in Westlake Village, California, through pre-opening and ongoing operations. The venue combines food trucks, beer and wine service, live music, private events, and a social atmosphere, with capacity for nearly 1,000 guests. This hands-on operational leader will build and execute the business’s operating systems, select and manage vendors, recruit and train staff, create budgets and reporting systems, oversee opening activities and day-to-day operations, and drive guest experience and profitability. The position reports directly to ownership and serves as the owner’s operational partner.
Requirements
- At least 7 years of hospitality leadership experience.
- Significant experience opening new restaurants, venues, breweries, food halls, or other hospitality concepts.
- Experience managing high-volume food and beverage operations.
- Strong financial and operational acumen.
- Experience with permitting and regulatory agencies.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Hands-on approach and willingness to roll up sleeves.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity and build systems from scratch.
Nice To Haves
- Restaurant opening experience.
- Entertainment venue experience.
- Food hall or brewery experience.
- Outdoor venue experience.
- Multi-unit management experience.
- Beer and wine operations experience.
- Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and startup-oriented builder mentality.
- Passion for hospitality and guest experience.
Responsibilities
- Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with POS providers, beverage suppliers and distributors, security companies, cleaning services, technology providers, maintenance vendors, uniform providers, and other third-party service providers.
- Build operating infrastructure, including standard operating procedures, opening and closing procedures, cash handling procedures, inventory systems, purchasing processes, safety and emergency procedures, employee policies, training manuals, and service standards.
- Develop and oversee beverage operations and controls, inventory and purchasing systems, and supplier and distributor relationships.
- Develop operational standards for food truck partners and vendors, and implement systems to maintain quality, cleanliness, and consistency throughout the venue.
- Determine staffing needs and organizational structure; recruit, hire, onboard, and train team members; develop leaders; build a culture of hospitality, accountability, and excellence; and implement performance management and employee development programs.
- Develop operating plans for private and special events, coordinate event logistics and staffing, build relationships with local businesses, promoters, and community organizations, support private event and sponsorship opportunities, and ensure effective execution of programming and guest experiences.
- Develop annual operating budgets and forecasts, monitor financial performance and expenses, establish purchasing and inventory controls, implement reporting and KPI systems, and provide regular reporting and recommendations to ownership.
- Drive profitability while maintaining an exceptional guest experience.
- Lead pre-opening operational activities and execute soft opening and grand opening plans.
- Manage day-to-day venue operations and continuously improve systems, staffing, and profitability.
- Drive exceptional guest experiences and financial performance.
Benefits
- Eligible for performance-based bonuses.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
