Ground Market Restaurant Manager

Description

About The Ground Market 

Ground Market is a community gathering place in the heart of Carlton, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley—bringing together a wood-fired pizza and ice cream shop alongside a market and farmstand rooted in the region’s agricultural abundance. The space is warm, lively, and welcoming, inviting locals and visitors to connect over simple, good food. 

Ground Market is part of The Ground, a collection of destinations and experiences rooted in a philosophy of conscious, loving hospitality in service to all species. 

Why we need you 

We're looking for a hospitality-driven leader to oversee the afternoon and evening operations of Ground Market, with primary responsibility for the restaurant and shared leadership of the market and café. This role is primarily scheduled during afternoons, evenings, weekends, and other peak service periods when restaurant operations are at their busiest. As the Restaurant Manager, you'll create an exceptional guest experience by leading the front-of-house team, ensuring smooth restaurant operations, and maintaining high standards of hospitality, service, and operational execution. 

This role combines floor leadership with operational ownership. You'll coach and develop team members, coordinate service with the kitchen, oversee closing procedures, and ensure the restaurant is positioned for long-term success while supporting the broader Ground Market operation as needed. 

The Restaurant Manager reports to the Director of Hospitality and Connection and provides day-to-day leadership, coaching, and direction to the Retail & Café Manager to ensure consistent execution across all Ground Market operations. 

Primary Areas of Responsibilities 

Restaurant Operations 

• Lead front-of-house restaurant operations during lunch and dinner service, ensuring exceptional hospitality, efficient service, and strong team performance.  
• Coordinate and direct service flow between the dining room and kitchen while coaching team members throughout each shift.  
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, presentation, food safety, and guest experience.  
• Resolve guest concerns and make real-time operational decisions to ensure successful service.  
• Foster a knowledgeable beverage program by supporting wine, beer, and cocktail service and coaching team members to confidently recommend pairings and enhance the guest experience. 

Closing & Operational Leadership 

• Oversee nightly closing procedures, including cash reconciliation, end-of-day reporting, restaurant reset, and building security.  
• Manage labor deployment throughout each shift, adjusting staffing as business demands change.  
• Prepare the operation for the following day by communicating priorities, documenting issues, and ensuring operational readiness.  

Shared Leadership Responsibilities  

• Support retail and café operations by maintaining merchandising standards, restocking products, and assisting guests as needed.  
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop front-of-house team members.  
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to the AM Manager, ensuring consistent operational execution, communication, and collaboration across Ground Market. 
• Assist with scheduling, performance management, inventory management, and special events.  
• Foster a collaborative culture while supporting the overall success of Ground Market. 

Requirements

Qualifications 

• 2–4 years of leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, café, or retail operations.  
• Previous experience leading front-of-house restaurant teams in a fast-paced environment.  
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to build accountability and develop team members.  
• Excellent hospitality instincts and a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.  
• Experience with cash handling, shift management, labor deployment, and operational decision-making.  
• General wine knowledge and confidence discussing wine with guests are required; extensive wine knowledge, particularly of Oregon and Willamette Valley wines, is a plus.  
• Bartending experience (beer, wine, and basic cocktails) strongly preferred.  
• Barista experience or willingness to become proficient preferred.  
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.  
• Comfortable using POS systems and standard business technology.  
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.  
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds. 

Manager: This position will report directly to the Director of Hospitality and Connection. 

Working conditions: Position requires prolonged standing, bending, and lifting products and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds 

Experience: 2–4 years of experience in hospitality, retail, café, or restaurant environments, including prior leadership experience preferred 

Benefits: Benefits include health, vision, dental, life insurance, 401(k), PTO for qualifying employees 

Comp: TBD ($60,000-$64,000) 

Work Location: This position is based in Carlton, OR.  

The Ground is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.