General Manager

Potbelly (Potbelly Corporate)•Chicago, IL

22d•$60,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The General Manager leads a Potbelly shop and creates a welcoming, team-oriented environment for team members and customers. The role oversees shop staffing, training and development, scheduling, daily operations, customer service, food safety, security, cash handling, inventory, marketing, and assigned profit-and-loss responsibilities. The General Manager is expected to spend 80–90% of their time on the shop floor in the Front of the House and work a minimum of 45 hours per week. The position offers a base salary range of $60,000–$65,000 plus bonus potential. Applicants must meet and maintain eligibility requirements, including obtaining the required Food Safety Certification. Illinois employees must become food safety certified within 30 days of employment.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
At least 2 years of experience as a General Manager in a restaurant or retail environment with P&L responsibility is preferred.
Meet the state's food safety requirements and pass and obtain Food Safety Certification. After two unsuccessful attempts to pass, candidates are no longer eligible for a Leader role.
Friendly, customer-first mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, energetic environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Problem-solving ability.
Open availability.
Ability to maintain deadlines and prioritize while running an effective shift.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask.
Comfort working in a busy kitchen environment.
Ability to manage potential allergens, including peanuts, eggs, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish.
Ability to build and develop strong teams and resolve conflicts.
Strong interviewing skills.
Ability to write effective schedules and maintain labor goals.
Microsoft Office skills.
Strong business acumen and ability to understand and interpret financial reports.
Ability to stand or walk for 8–9 hours or as needed.
Stamina and ability to work at least 45 hours per week.
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Illinois employees must become food safety certified within 30 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

Knife skills are a plus.
Involvement in community, school, local business, social, and not-for-profit activities is described as ideal for local shop marketing.

Responsibilities

Train, coach, and develop shop team members and create development plans based on staff abilities.
Interview, select, and hire candidates who represent Potbelly values.
Build and maintain a positive shop culture that supports team attraction and retention.
Schedule Associates, Certified Trainers, and Shift Leaders effectively while maintaining labor goals.
Update the communication board with important shop information and hold regular meetings with key shop staff.
Delegate tasks and ensure work is completed to a high standard.
Ensure security procedures and back-of-the-house procedural standards are followed.
Count drawers and follow daily cash-handling procedures.
Drive neighborhood marketing and promotions, including recruiting and marketing outside the shop.
Control cost of goods, variances, and shop inventory.
Create and lead a local marketing plan to increase sales, engaging with community, school, local business, social, and not-for-profit activities as appropriate.
Manage assigned profit-and-loss line items.
Spend 80–90% of working time on the shop floor in the Front of the House.
Maintain deadlines and priorities while running an effective shift.
Comply with food, cleanliness, and safety standards.
Handle customer complaints and issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.