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Hospitality Confidential is pleased to present an amazing opportunity for an Opening General Manager to oversee and manage daily operations for a brand new brewery set in an acre in downtown Pasadena!
Our client is not trying to be a "destination" or a "concept." They just want to make really good beer and have a spot where you can bring literally anyone — your grandpa, your baby, your dog, your weird coworker — and everyone has a good time. Opening in 2026, and they’re looking for people who get that vibe and want to help us build it from scratch.
The General Manager is the heartbeat of the day-to-day operation. You'll own the guest experience,
the team, the numbers, and the space, and you'll have a real seat at the table as we grow. You're a
people-first leader who can hold a conversation with a first-time visitor and a longtime regular in the
same breath, and you understand that hospitality and profitability aren't in tension, they reinforce
each other. You'll work closely with ownership, the Head Brewer, and the Kitchen Manager to make
sure, the brewery runs smoothly, looks great, and stays true to what it's supposed to be: a place
where everyone feels welcome. This is an opening role, and the right person will take pride in
building something from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities include:
Happy Guests:
● Actively ensure all guests receive the high-touch experience both in-store and virtually
through verbal and written communications.
● Keep the space in good working condition and address guest concerns in a timely manner.
● Ensure guest satisfaction remains high in order to increase repeat business and word of
mouth marketing
● Maintain good reviews online with an overall star rating of 4.5 or above
● Perform regular table touches and guest check-ins and record feedback on a regular basis
● Get to know regulars on a first name basis and anticipate their needs
● Become familiar with the local and surrounding neighbors in order to build strong
relationships and maintain good standing within the community.
Happy Team:
● Lead by example to ensure all staff is consistently providing best in class hospitality to every
guest
● Build and maintain a staff beer education program so every team member can speak
confidently about the product
● Operate a successful training program for all FOH positions and support Kitchen Manager in
running a successful BOH training program.
● Manage staff by working alongside the team in peak hours
● Motivate staff by reward rather than punishment and create a path for internal promotion
A Profitable Operation:
● Own the P&L. Seek savings where applicable.
● Manage additional revenue opportunities while maintaining the core focus of the business
and the role
● Oversee keg inventory and ensure accurate pour and yield tracking to support COGS targets
● Keep control of all site budgets, including but not limited to, labor, COGS and events
● Keep control of all department costs, working collaboratively with Kitchen Manager and
Master Brewer as needed
● Partner with the Master Brewer to manage the tap list, seasonal releases, and guest-facing
beer programming
● Keep turnover low by recruiting and motivating all FOH teams and departments
● Work with finance team to ensure invoicing is accurate and vendors are paid on time
● Manage ongoing contracts and negotiate new savings and/or contracts with third party
vendors with approval from ownership where appropriate
● Ensure all repairs and maintenance are done preventatively with any issues addressed
speedily
● Liaise with the marketing team to ensure campaigns and communications are aligned with
restaurant needs.
Site Management:
● Maintain a Pass on all city health inspections
● Ensure the restaurant upholds its original design aesthetic and maintains architectural and
brand integrity, keeping a keen eye on storage “creep” and visual clutter.
● Create new systems and improve existing ones for operational efficiency (SOPs) as the
business needs change
● Troubleshoot issues effectively; balance aesthetic and brand considerations with viable
commercial and long-term solutions
● Ensure that the space is safe and secure for guests and staff
● Maintain taproom equipment (lines, taps, coolers) and coordinate cleaning and service
schedules
Event Management:
● Own the events calendar from concept to execution, including tap releases, community
events, and private buyouts
● Manage an events revenue stream with clear pricing, booking policies, and capacity
guidelines
● Collaborate with marketing to promote events and ensure brand consistency across all
programming
● Build relationships with local organizations and businesses to drive community-focused
programming aligned with the clients ethos
Informed Senior Management:
● Highlight any major opportunities or risks so the business can respond as necessary
● Understand when it is appropriate to escalate an issue and how best to communicate those
escalations
● Work with other departments to create a nightly/weekly/monthly report for senior
management
● Take ownership of key responsibilities and “manage up” by bringing solutions rather than
problems to superiors.
Compliance:
● Maintain compliance with all health and safety standards and best practices
● Maintain an injury free work environment
● Maintain an up to date Employee Handbook and ensure all HR best practices and regional
laws are being followed
● Maintain the brewery's California ABC license and ensure full compliance with all conditions
of licensure
● Ensure all service staff hold current Food Handlers and RBS certification as required by
California law
● Enforce age verification protocols and train staff on proper ID-checking procedures
● Manage hours of service and ensure all staff understand and follow legal service limits
● Confer with internal legal counsel when appropriate
Pre-opening Support:
● Partner with ownership and consulting team to support the build-out and opening process,
including staff hiring, onboarding, and training
● Contribute to the development of opening SOPs, systems, and standards as directed by
ownership and consultants
● Serve as a key point of contact for pre-opening logistics and help ensure a smooth handoff
from build-out to daily operations
The ideal candidate will be:
● A hospitality nerd
● Connected to the Pasadena area and its diverse community
● Able to read people and rooms well
● A compassionate and thoughtful leader
● Resourceful and solution driven
● Entrepreneurial in spirit
● Willing to learn
● Diplomatic and empathetic in management style
● Equally comfortable engaging guests on the floor and interpreting a P&L
The ideal candidate will have:
● Strong background in hospitality, preferably in high volume and brand forward environments
● Appreciation for beer
● Love for community and a desire to bring people together
● A strong aesthetic sensibility and respect for brand integrity
● Ability to manage a team made up of both exempt and non-exempt staff
● Demonstrated experience managing a P&L and controlling costs in a food and beverage
environment
● Strong understanding of California labor laws as related to the position and its direct reports
● 5+ years in a GM role
Compensation & Benefits:
General Manager – Pasadena
Salary: $110K - $130K*
Reports to: Owner Operator & Operations Consultant
● Medical, Dental and Vision Plans with 90% employer medical contribution on Gold PPO Plan
● Starting at 12 day's vacation days + more paid time off allowance annually
● CalSavers 401K
● Free parking
● Free shift meals
● Employee discounts on food and beverages
Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
