Restaurant General Manager

Salento Italia is hiring a General Manager for our anticipated opening in BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY.   Salento Italia has been much anticipated to open in Bowling Green, and we are excited to bring a fresh, energetic dining experience to the community. We are a  family-owned restaurant group with a lifetime of experience in the hospitality industry, operating multiple successful restaurants across  Nashville and Kentucky. Salento Italia will offer  authentic Italian cuisine, a full-service dining experience, and a curated bar and wine program, with  subtle Greek influences woven into our menu and hospitality culture—a reflection of our family’s background and culinary traditions. The restaurant will feature a beautiful and welcoming setting where food, service, and atmosphere come together to create a memorable dining experience. We are building a team that takes  food, hospitality, and culture seriously, while creating an environment where both guests and employees genuinely enjoy being part of the experience. This is a unique opportunity to  lead the opening team  and shape the culture of a restaurant that aims to become one of Bowling Green’s top dining destinations. We are looking for a  strong, experienced leader  who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment and takes pride in building great teams, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and running a highly organized operation. Position Summary The  General Manager  is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the restaurant while leading and developing the hospitality team. This role combines  hands-on leadership on the floor with operational management, ensuring that every guest receives exceptional service and every team member operates within a culture of professionalism, accountability, and pride. The General Manager will oversee  staffing, scheduling, inventory, service standards, and financial performance, while maintaining the highest standards for hospitality, cleanliness, and operational efficiency. This role works closely with ownership in a  family-owned, collaborative environment where ideas, leadership, and initiative are valued. Minimum Qualifications Minimum  3–5 years of restaurant management experience, preferably in full-service dining Strong leadership and team-building skills Excellent  verbal and written communication skills Strong organizational and time-management abilities Experience managing  high-volume service environments Solid computer and digital skills for managing POS, scheduling, and operational platforms Strong understanding of  food safety, health department standards, and clean workplace practices Ability to remain calm and solutions-focused in fast-paced situations Passion for hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiences Flexible availability including  days, nights, weekends, and holidays Ability to perform physical requirements including standing and walking for extended periods and lifting up to  50 pounds Responsibilities Oversee  daily restaurant operations, including opening and closing procedures Lead and support all  front-of-house service teams  during service Recruit, interview, hire, and train hourly staff Create and manage  weekly staff schedules Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented work culture Lead  pre-shift meetings  to review daily service goals, reservations, events, and operational priorities Maintain high standards of  guest service and hospitality  throughout every shift Handle guest feedback and service recovery with a  guest-first mindset Manage restaurant inventory including  food, beverage, operational supplies, and bar products Place orders and maintain appropriate inventory levels Conduct routine inventory counts and support  cost control and budget management Ensure compliance with  health department regulations and safety standards Oversee daily  cash handling procedures, including deposits and reconciliation Assist in the planning and execution of  private events and special hospitality experiences Maintain cleanliness and organization standards throughout the restaurant Work collaboratively with ownership to continually improve systems, operations, and the guest experience Perform other duties and initiatives as needed to support the success of the restaurant What We Offer Competitive salary based on experience Performance-based bonus opportunities Opportunity to lead and help shape the opening of a new restaurant Growth potential within a  family-owned restaurant group A supportive culture focused on  great food, great service, and great people Salento Italia is looking for  leaders who care deeply about hospitality and want to build something special in Bowling Green.  If you take pride in running a great restaurant and leading a strong team, we would love to hear from you. Work Location: In person More detail about Salento Italia, please visit