General Manager

Citrus & Salt is a high-energy, Baja-inspired concept from Chef Jason Santos, built around coastal Mexican and Southern California-influenced tapas, bold cocktails, and one of the largest tequila and mezcal selections in the market. The vibe is bright, social, and Instagram-ready. We're opening our Burlington location and looking for a General Manager who can build the team, set the standard, and own performance from day one.

This is a pre-opening leadership role. The General Manager will be involved in hiring, training, and systems build-out ahead of launch, then own day-to-day operations post-open.

This is not a figurehead position. The General Manager is responsible for:

• Leading the full restaurant operation (FOH + partnership with BOH)
• Driving sales, profitability, and guest satisfaction
• Building, developing, and holding the team accountable
• Maintaining standards across service, product, and environment

Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Set the tone for the entire restaurant through presence, urgency, and standards
• Build a team that is accountable, engaged, and consistently improving
• Coach managers and hourly staff through real-time feedback and development
• Create an environment that is productive, respectful, and performance-driven
• Lead by example in service, professionalism, and work ethic

Operations & Execution

• Ensure consistent execution of food quality, service standards, and guest experience
• Own the flow of service and support the floor during peak periods
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully operational restaurant at all times
• Enforce health, safety, and sanitation standards without exception
• Work closely with the Chef to ensure alignment between FOH and BOH

Financial Performance

• Own P&L performance and drive profitability across the business
• Manage labor to target while protecting the guest experience
• Control costs through attention to detail, systems, and accountability
• Identify opportunities to improve revenue, efficiency, and margin
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and usage of all products to minimize waste

Team Development & Accountability

• Hire, train, and develop a strong FOH team ahead of and through opening
• Build a leadership bench through coaching and internal growth
• Address performance issues directly and consistently
• Maintain high standards for training, onboarding, and daily execution
• Reduce turnover by building a team that wants to be there and perform

Guest Experience & Business Growth

• Operate with a guest-first mindset in every decision
• Resolve issues quickly and effectively to drive repeat business
• Build relationships with regulars and the local community as a new location
• Drive sales through floor presence, team coaching, and operational consistency
• Partner with leadership on events, promotions, and local marketing efforts

Bar & Beverage Oversight

• Partner with the Beverage Director on inventory and ordering
• Partner with the Beverage Director on cocktail, tequila, and mezcal program execution and staff training
• Partner with the Beverage Director on cleanliness, systems, and bar standards
• Ensure the bar program performs operationally and financially

Facility & Systems

• Maintain the physical space through daily walkthroughs and follow-up
• Identify and communicate repair and maintenance needs
• Ensure all systems (service, training, admin) are organized and effective
• Keep documentation, scheduling, and operational tools up to standard

What We're Looking For

• Strong operator with full ownership mentality
• Ability to lead in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Financial acumen with experience managing P&L and labor targets
• Clear communicator who can align teams and drive execution
• Hands-on leader who is present on the floor and in the business
• Comfortable operating in a pre-opening environment: building systems and a team from scratch

Experience

• 3–5+ years in a General Manager or senior leadership role
• High-volume, full-service restaurant experience required
• OpenTable and Toast expert
• New restaurant opening experience preferred

Success in This Role Looks Like

• The restaurant runs clean, organized, and in control at all times
• Service is consistent, paced correctly, and guest-focused
• The team is trained, accountable, and improving
• Labor and costs are managed without sacrificing experience
• The business is growing with strong repeat guest traffic in a new market