General Manager, Restaurant/Bar

General Manager, Restaurant/Bar

London SW16

Package c£49,000 p.a. (Base Salary c£45K plus £4k bonus paid £1k per quarter, after probation, based on meeting realistic KPIs)

We are looking for an experience General Manager to lead the transition of this restaurant venue to a more refined, produce led neighbourhood restaurant and bar (Gastropub style).

The GM will set standards both front of house and back of house, it is not just about running shifts and hitting numbers it is about leading by example with customers and operations. The GM will take ownership of the site whilst going through its relaunch and therefore will be key to shaping the restaurant, atmosphere, and standards on a day-to-day basis, from the guest experience to the team culture and the product on the floor. You'll work closely with ownership through the transition and have real influence over how the site develops. Longer term, this site is intended to become a benchmark within the group - particularly for training and development.

We're not looking for someone who just wants to run a venue. We're looking for someone who cares about doing it properly - for the guest, the team and the business.

You'll have strong central support on finance and structure. Your job is to make sure an exceptional customer experience for every guest.

We are looking for a GM from a strong restaurant/bar or gastro pub background who :

• Understands the difference between good and genuinely great.
• Cares about the guest experience and the small details that make it
• Is present on the floor and lead from the front
• Can build teams that take pride in what they do
• Has a good eye for food, drink and environment
• Is commercially aware, but not driven purely by the numbers

Responsibilities for General Manager, SW16

Financials

• Complete P&L Ownership
• Total accountability for revenue, margin, labour, and EBITDA.
• Weekly forecasting and commercial planning.
• Labour modelling aligned to late-night trading.
• Cost control and supplier management.
• Profit improvement initiatives.
• Delivering budget and stretch targets.
• You are responsible for the numbers.

Operations

• Full control of front-of-house, bar and kitchen teams.
• Enforcing standards and discipline.
• Maintaining energy and quality during peak trading.
• Immediate correction of operational failures.
• The venue runs to your standards.

Kitchen Oversight

• Direct management of Head Chef.
• Delivering food GP targets.
• Kitchen labour and cost control.
• Consistency, hygiene and execution standards.
• The kitchen is part of your P&L.

Compliance & Licensing

• Full responsibility for licensing compliance.
• Health & Safety ownership.
• Incident management.
• Local authority relationships.
• Zero tolerance for avoidable risk.
• You protect the licence.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, train and retain strong managers.
• Set clear KPIs and accountability.
• Develop future leaders.
• Address underperformance decisively.
• Create a disciplined, professional culture.
• You build the team. You set the tone.

Requirements for General Manager, SW16

• Previous restaurant/bar or Gastropub management experience.
• A strong understanding of the London hospitality scene
• Solid product knowledge across food and drink (WSET is a plus, not essential)
• Is confident with new openings / rebrands and setting trends
• Has solid product knowledge across food and drink (WSET a plus, but not essential.

This is a leadership position with full accountability. If you are ready to take complete control of an exciting new Restaurant/Bar (Gastropub) and drive measurable impact, this role is designed for you.