General Manager (GM) – Restaurant Leader & Brand Ambassador Job Ugly Dumpling New Hyde Park, NY
Now Hiring: General Manager (GM) – Restaurant Leader & Brand Ambassador | Ugly Dumpling
Job Title: General Manager | GM | Restaurant General Manager | Store Leader
Location: Ugly Dumpling (Dine-In & Grab & Dip Locations)
Address: Ugly Dumpling – New Hyde Park, NY – 1400 Union Turnpike
Reports To: Regional Manager
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☐ Seasonal | ☐ Part-Time | ☐ Contractor | ☐ Intern
Hours: 50-60 hours/week
FLSA Status: ☒ Exempt | ☐ Nonexempt
Pay Range: Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus + Benefits Package
About the Role: The Captain of the Ship
At Ugly Dumpling, the General Manager is not just a manager — you are the captain of the ship, the culture carrier, and the driving force behind everything we do. You will oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, from guest experience to financial performance to team development. You will lead by example, foster a positive work environment, and ensure that every dumpling, every cocktail, and every interaction meets our sky-high standards. If you have 3+ years of GM experience in a high-volume restaurant, a proven track record with P&L management, and the leadership DNA to inspire a team, we want you at the helm.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as a General Manager?
- Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus: Your success is our success — we reward results.
- Full Benefits Package: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k) options for qualifying employees.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): We believe in work-life balance, even for leaders.
- Career Growth: GM → Regional Manager → Director of Operations → VP of Operations.
- Operational Autonomy: We trust you to run your restaurant like your own business.
- Community Impact: Represent Ugly Dumpling at events, build partnerships, and be a local icon.
- Free Meals: Enjoy our famous dumplings, bao, noodles, and bubble tea on every shift.
- Innovative Brand: Be part of a growing, creative concept blending authentic Chinese cuisine with modern flair.
General Manager: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Operations Oversight: Oversee daily restaurant operations, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and adherence to company standards from open to close.
- Food & Beverage Quality: Monitor and manage food and beverage quality, preparation, and presentation to maintain Ugly Dumpling’s brand standards — every plate, every drink.
- Beverage Program Collaboration: Collaborate with the bar team to curate and maintain an innovative, high-performing beverage program (craft cocktails, bubble tea, beer, wine).
- Health & Safety Compliance: Implement and maintain health and safety regulations, ensuring full compliance with all local, state, and federal laws (ServSafe, OSHA, ABC, DOH).
- Talent Acquisition & Development: Recruit, hire, train, and develop high-performing team members, including FOH and BOH staff, supervisors, and shift leads.
- Culture Building: Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement — where every team member feels valued and motivated.
- Team Engagement: Conduct regular team meetings, performance evaluations, and coaching sessions to drive engagement and professional growth.
- Financial Management: Develop and manage budgets, P&L statements, and financial goals for the restaurant.
- Sales & Labor Analysis: Analyze sales trends and labor costs to optimize profitability without sacrificing quality or guest experience.
- Inventory & Vendor Management: Manage inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships to control costs and minimize waste (food cost, beverage cost, supplies).
- Guest Service Leadership: Lead by example in delivering exceptional guest service — ensuring satisfaction and building repeat business.
- Feedback Resolution: Address guest feedback (online reviews, surveys, direct complaints) and resolve issues promptly and professionally.
- Environment Maintenance: Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for guests and staff at all times.
- Marketing Partnership: Partner with the marketing team to execute local promotions, LTOs (limited-time offers), and traffic-driving initiatives.
- Community Representation: Represent Ugly Dumpling at community events to build relationships, enhance brand visibility, and drive local loyalty.
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Regional Manager.
General Manager: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: 3+ years of experience as a General Manager or equivalent role in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant environment (full-service or upscale fast-casual).
- Financial Acumen: Proven track record of managing P&L statements, budgets, labor controls, and achieving financial targets (COGS, EBITDA, flow-through).
- Leadership & Team Building: Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams (20-50+ team members).
- Core Competencies: Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills — you can handle anything.
- Bar & Beverage Experience: Experience with full-service bar operations, including menu development and compliance, is a strong plus (craft cocktails and bubble tea).
- Operational Expertise: In-depth knowledge of restaurant operations, including FOH, BOH, and beverage programs.
- Speed & Detail: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining obsessive attention to detail.
- Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with POS systems, scheduling tools (7shifts, HotSchedules), and financial reporting software (Excel, Restaurant365, etc.).
- Food Safety Knowledge: Strong understanding of health, safety, and food handling regulations (ServSafe Manager certification required within 30 days).
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for 8+ hours per day, and lift/push up to 30 lbs.
- Schedule Flexibility: Must be available for days, nights, weekends, and holidays — including opening, closing, and occasional overnight shifts for inventory.
- Reliability: Must have reliable transportation to commute to our in-person location.
What Success Looks Like as Our General Manager
- Your restaurant meets or exceeds all financial targets (sales, flow-through, EBITDA) for four consecutive quarters.
- Team turnover is below industry average — you retain and develop your best people.
- Guest satisfaction scores (Yelp, Google, surveys) are consistently 4.5+ stars.
- Health inspection scores are consistently 95+ (A grade) with zero critical violations.
- You have developed at least two team members into supervisor or AGM roles within your first year.
- Your restaurant is clean, organized, and welcoming at all times — even during a rush.
- The Regional Manager trusts you to run your restaurant without constant oversight.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Success
- Sales Growth: Year-over-year sales increase (minimum 5-10% target)
- Flow-Through (Profitability): 30%+ flow-through on sales increases
- Labor Percentage: Within company targets (typically 25-30% of sales)
- Prime Cost (COGS + Labor): Within company benchmarks
- Team Retention: 90-day and 1-year retention rates
- Guest Satisfaction: Average online rating (4.5+ stars) and OSAT scores
- Health Inspection Score: 95+ (A grade) on all unannounced inspections
- Secret Shopper Scores: 90%+ compliance with brand standards
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, 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 — GM leadership is not a 9-to-5 role
- Opening Shifts: As early as 6:00 AM (delivery, prep oversight, setup)
- Closing Shifts: As late as 1:00 AM (cleanup, deposits, walkthroughs, securing the building)
- On-Call: Available by phone for emergencies (alarms, call-offs, etc.)
Key Competencies for Success as a GM
- Strategic Vision: See the big picture while managing daily execution.
- Financial Mastery: Understand P&Ls, labor models, COGS, and cash flow.
- Talent Magnet: Recruit, retain, and develop A-players.
- Emotional Intelligence: Lead with empathy while holding people accountable.
- Crisis Management: Stay calm and decisive when everything goes wrong.
- Brand Ambassadorship: Live and breathe Ugly Dumpling’s values 24/7.
- Community Connector: Build relationships that drive traffic and loyalty.
Benefits Overview (for qualifying full-time exempt employees)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance and Disability Options
- 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) — vacation, sick, and personal days
- Performance-based Bonus Program (quarterly or annual)
- Free meals during shifts
- Cell phone stipend (where applicable)
- Continuing education and leadership development programs
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 the fleet? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next 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.