Company description
Cherries has reimagined roadside dining in upstate New York, proudly serving our famous ice cream, fresh food and gourmet candy. Alongside a curated general store and open year-round, we’re the perfect place to stop in, take us to go, or let us cater your next special event.
Job description
Cherries Roadside
Stone Ridge, NY
Full-Time Position
$85,000–$95,000 per year + Performance Bonus
Lead one of the Hudson Valley's most unique hospitality destinations!
Cherries is more than an ice cream shop. We're a destination that brings together handcrafted food, soft serve, retail, catering, private events, and community experiences in a fast-growing business that continues to evolve.
We're looking for an experienced General Manager to oversee every aspect of the operation. This is a leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building teams, and takes pride in creating exceptional guest experiences while running an efficient, profitable business.
If you're looking for a predictable management job, this probably isn't it. If you're looking for the opportunity to lead a business with autonomy, build a great team, and make a lasting impact, we'd love to meet you.
About the Role
The General Manager is responsible for the overall success of Cherries.
You'll oversee restaurant operations, retail, catering, events, staffing, inventory, financial performance, vendor relationships, and guest experience while ensuring the business operates smoothly every day.
This is a hands-on leadership position. Some days you'll be reviewing and placing inventory orders. Other days you'll be helping during a lunch rush, coaching employees, resolving guest concerns, or preparing for a large catering event.
The ideal candidate understands that no task is beneath them and leads by example.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
-Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and develop employees
-Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and hospitality
-Coach and mentor managers and hourly staff
-Conduct performance reviews and ongoing employee development
-Foster a positive workplace with high employee retention
Operations
-Oversee all daily restaurant, retail, and catering operations
-Ensure consistent execution of food quality and guest service standards
-Develop and improve operational systems and processes
-Manage opening and closing procedures
-Ensure cleanliness, organization, and maintenance throughout the property
Scheduling & Labor Management
-Build weekly schedules based on business needs
-Manage labor costs while maintaining service standards
-Ensure proper staffing during peak business periods
-Approve payroll and monitor overtime
Inventory & Purchasing
-Manage inventory for food, beverages, retail merchandise, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and operational equipment
-Place and manage vendor orders
-Monitor food costs, waste, shrinkage, and inventory accuracy
-Build relationships with local vendors and suppliers
Catering & Events
-Oversee execution of catering orders and private events
-Coordinate staffing and logistics
-Ensure flawless execution and exceptional client experiences
Financial Performance
-Monitor daily sales and operating metrics
-Control food, labor, and operating expenses
-Identify opportunities to improve profitability
-Maintain accurate cash handling and reporting procedures
Guest Experience
-Ensure every guest receives exceptional hospitality
-Resolve customer concerns professionally and efficiently
-Maintain high online review scores and guest satisfaction
Facilities & Compliance
-Maintain food safety and health department standards
-Coordinate equipment repairs and preventative maintenance
-Ensure compliance with company policies and local regulations
-Respond to operational emergencies when needed
What Success Looks Like
-Build and retain a dependable, high-performing team
-Improve operational systems and consistency
-Reduce waste and improve inventory management
-Successfully lead operations through our busiest summer and fall seasons
-Deliver exceptional guest experiences that drive repeat business
-Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient operation year-round
-Help identify new opportunities for operational growth and improvement
Qualifications
We're looking for someone with significant leadership experience.
Required:
- 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, retail, catering, or multi-unit operations
- At least 3 years managing teams, budgets, inventory, scheduling, and day-to-day business operations
- Experience leading teams of 15+ employees
- Proven success managing high-volume, customer-facing operations
- Strong experience with inventory management, purchasing, labor scheduling, and vendor relationships
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to analyze financial performance and make operational decisions
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure
Preferred:
- Experience overseeing both restaurant and retail operations
- Catering or event management experience
- Experience with seasonal businesses
- Food Safety Certification (or willingness to obtain)
You are:
- A natural leader who enjoys coaching people
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Calm under pressure
- Comfortable making decisions independently
- Accountable and dependable
- Financially minded and operationally driven
- Hands-on and willing to jump in wherever needed
- Passionate about hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
This is a full-time leadership position requiring flexibility. Our busiest seasons are spring, summer, and fall, including weekends and holidays. While business remains active year-round, this role requires flexibility to support the business during peak periods and respond to operational issues as they arise.
Salary: $85,000–$95,000+, based on experience
Performance-based annual bonus
Paid vacation and sick time
Employee meals during shifts
Compensation
this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000
Application instructions
If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!
Deadline
no deadline