Assistant General Manager Job Opening Ugly Dumpling New Hyde Park, NY
Now Hiring: Assistant General Manager (AGM) – Restaurant Leader | Ugly Dumpling
Job Title: Assistant General Manager | AGM | Operations Manager | Hospitality Leader
Location: Ugly Dumpling (Dine-In & Grab & Dip Locations)
Address: Ugly Dumpling – New Hyde Park, NY – 1400 Union Turnpike
Reports To: General Manager
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☐ Seasonal | ☐ Part-Time | ☐ Contractor | ☐ Intern
Hours: 50-60 hours/week
FLSA Status: ☒ Exempt | ☐ Nonexempt
Pay Range: Competitive Salary + Bonus Potential (based on experience)
About the Role: The GM’s Strategic Partner
At Ugly Dumpling, the Assistant General Manager is more than a second-in-command — you are a strategic partner, culture carrier, and operational powerhouse. You will support the General Manager in overseeing all aspects of restaurant operations, from front-of-house hospitality to back-of-house production, while ensuring an exceptional guest experience every single shift. You will lead teams, drive financial performance, and step into the GM role when needed. If you have 3+ years of high-volume restaurant management experience, a passion for developing people, and the grit to work 50-60 hours a week in a fast-paced, fun environment, this is your next career move.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as an Assistant General Manager?
- Competitive Salary + Bonus: We pay for performance and reward results.
- Clear Path to GM: AGM → General Manager → Managing Partner → Regional Support.
- Full Benefits Eligible: Health, dental, vision, and PTO for qualifying full-time exempt employees.
- Leadership Autonomy: We trust you to run the floor, make decisions, and lead your team.
- Learn Every Aspect: From P&L management to soup dumpling production, you’ll master it all.
- Free Meals: Enjoy our famous dumplings, bao, noodles, and bubble tea on every shift.
- Community Impact: Represent Ugly Dumpling locally and build real partnerships.
Assistant General Manager: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Operations Management: Assist in managing daily operations across FOH and BOH to ensure smooth service flow from open to close.
- Quality Assurance: Ensure food and beverage quality meets Ugly Dumpling’s company standards and guest expectations — every plate, every drink.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Uphold health, safety, and sanitation standards, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (ServSafe, OSHA, ABC).
- Policy Implementation: Work closely with the General Manager to implement and maintain company policies and procedures consistently across all shifts.
- Talent Development: Support the recruitment, training, and development of team members to foster a high-performance, guest-obsessed culture.
- Coaching & Mentoring: Actively coach and mentor staff — from line cooks to bartenders to hosts — to ensure exceptional service and operational excellence.
- Pre-Shift Meetings: Conduct daily pre-shift meetings to align the team on goals, 86’d items, specials, VIPs, and operational updates.
- Acting GM: Step in as the acting manager during the General Manager’s absence (vacation, sick days, days off) — running all aspects of the restaurant.
- Guest Service Leadership: Lead by example in delivering exceptional guest service — address concerns, resolve issues promptly, and turn complaints into loyalty.
- Guest Feedback Analysis: Monitor guest feedback (online reviews, comment cards, direct feedback) to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions.
- Guest Environment: Foster a welcoming, guest-focused environment that encourages repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth.
- Financial Management: Assist the GM in managing budgets, controlling labor costs, food costs, and operating expenses.
- Sales Analysis: Support in analyzing sales trends, peak periods, and menu performance — implement strategies to drive revenue.
- Cash & Financial Policies: Ensure accurate cash handling, deposit procedures, and adherence to all financial policies.
- Bar Operations: Collaborate with the bar team to ensure compliance with company beverage standards, cocktail consistency, and inventory management.
- Beverage Quality: Maintain the quality and consistency of all beverages — from craft cocktails to bubble tea to beer and wine.
- Community Representation: Represent Ugly Dumpling in the local community — build brand awareness, foster partnerships, and attend local events as needed.
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by the General Manager or Regional leadership.
Assistant General Manager: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: 3+ years of management experience in a high-volume restaurant environment (full-service or fast-casual).
- Leadership & Team Building: Strong leadership and team-building abilities with a proven track record of driving results, retention, and morale.
- Core Competencies: Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills — you can juggle 20 priorities without dropping any.
- Financial Acumen: Experience with P&L management, labor control, COGS, and achieving financial targets is a strong plus.
- Bar & Beverage Knowledge: Familiarity with bar operations, beverage programs, and cocktail quality standards is highly desirable (bubble tea experience a bonus).
- Operational Understanding: Solid understanding of restaurant operations, including FOH and BOH workflows, table management, and kitchen throughput.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools (7shifts, HotSchedules, etc.), and operational reporting.
- Food Safety Knowledge: Deep knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health regulations (ServSafe Manager certification preferred or required within 30 days).
- Speed & Composure: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining attention to detail and a calm demeanor.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for 8+ hours per day, and lift/push up to 30 lbs (cases, equipment, supply boxes).
- Schedule Flexibility: Must be available for days, nights, weekends, and holidays — including opening and closing shifts as needed.
- Reliability: Must have reliable transportation to commute to our in-person location.
What Success Looks Like as Our Assistant General Manager
- The restaurant runs seamlessly even when the GM is not there — you’re a true second-in-command.
- Team turnover decreases by 15%+ in your first 6 months due to your coaching and culture-building.
- Guest satisfaction scores (Yelp, Google, surveys) improve consistently under your leadership.
- Labor and food costs consistently hit targets — you understand the P&L and act on variances.
- You develop at least two hourly team members into shift supervisor or lead roles within your first year.
- You represent Ugly Dumpling at community events and partnerships — increasing local brand awareness.
- The GM trusts you to handle any situation — from a broken steamer to an angry guest to a call-off rush.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Success
- Sales Growth: Year-over-year sales increase at your location
- Labor Percentage: Within 2% of target weekly
- Food Cost Percentage: Within company benchmarks
- Team Retention: 60+ day and 90+ day retention rates
- Guest Satisfaction: Average online rating and direct feedback scores
- Health Inspection Score: 90+ (A grade) on all unannounced inspections
About Ugly Dumpling: Our Story
From a modest street snack to a statement dish representing Chinese culinary culture on the world stage, the history of Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) resembles the tale of an ugly duckling turning into a swan. At Ugly Dumpling, our commitment is to go beyond its boundaries and cultivate a new gastronomic journey — with the most authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine blended with contemporary creativity and a little extra imagination.
Inspired by the bustling food streets of Shanghai and the rich history of family cookbooks of old and modern Chinese cuisine, we are dedicated to reimagining those most favored local recipes by curating new, exciting, and playful experiences for our diners today. Whether it’s at our dine-in locations or our “Grab & Dip” fast-service spots, Ugly Dumpling invites you to join us in the world of exciting authentic flavors re-imagined.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Work Location: In-person (must be able to reliably commute)
- Standing/Walking: 90% of shift (you’ll rarely sit at a desk)
- Lifting/Carrying: Up to 30 lbs frequently (cases of oil, bags of rice, supply boxes, bus tubs)
- Temperature Extremes: Work near hot ovens, steamers, woks (up to 95°F+) and walk-in coolers/freezers (as low as -10°F)
- Noise Level: High (busy restaurant with music, sizzling woks, conversation, dish machine)
- Hazards: Hot surfaces, sharp knives, slippery floors — PPE and safety protocols provided
Schedule & Availability Requirements
- Hours: 50-60 hours per week (full-time exempt)
- Required Availability: Days, nights, weekends, and holidays — restaurant leadership is not a 9-to-5 role
- Opening Shifts: As early as 7:00 AM (prep, delivery, setup)
- Closing Shifts: As late as 12:00 AM or later (cleanup, deposits, walkthroughs)
Key Competencies for Success as an AGM
- Strategic Thinking: See the big picture while managing the details.
- Emotional Intelligence: Read the room — know when to push and when to support.
- Financial Acumen: Understand P&Ls, labor models, and cost controls.
- Coaching Mindset: Develop people, not just manage tasks.
- Crisis Management: Stay calm when everything goes wrong.
- Brand Ambassadorship: Live and breathe Ugly Dumpling’s values.
Benefits Overview (for qualifying full-time exempt employees)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave
- Bonus potential based on store performance
- Free meals during shifts
- Career development and continuing education stipends (where applicable)
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Ugly Dumpling fully complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and celebrate diversity in our leadership team.
Ready to lead at the highest level? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next Assistant General Manager — where your leadership shapes the future of our brand.
Ugly Dumpling is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify where required by law.