General Manager

The opportunity:

Firstly, thank you for your interest in joining our team at PERILLA Korean American Fare. We are currently seeking a General Manager to join our team and growing company. As part of the PERILLA Fare Leadership Team, the General Manager is a key leadership role responsible for Front of House and operational duties. This candidate must have a passion for learning new foods/cuisines, and beverage programs, and enjoy working alongside a wide array of personalities that make our work culture amazing. The ideal candidate will work closely with team members to provide exceptional, engaged service to our guests, and promote an environment of respect, support, and grace in the dining room. PERILLA Korean American Fare has been recognized by the Michelin Guide and a recipient of the Bib Gourmet Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023. We are looking for a General Manager who is consistently looking for new areas of inspiration and growth to better our service, food, and FOH team. There are growth opportunities for you within the PERILLA Group as we expand into multiple locations and cuisines. The General Manager will be reporting directly to the Director of Operations of the PERILLA Group. 

Our mission:

We believe that providing our guests with the very best experience of food and hospitality requires a dedicated team of individuals working together with the same goal and purpose. The goal is to respectfully introduce and represent our cuisine and culture with passion and attention to detail. We want to create and maintain a community of independent small businesses supporting each other throughout Chicago and partner with quality purveyors that allow us to share their products and services. While doing so, we hope to create a workplace for our teammates that offers opportunities and growth in a positive work environment.

About the company:

PERILLA  is named after a plant native to Korea and many East Asian countries. It is known to be very adaptable and thrives on any soil. The name is an homage to our parents, first-generation immigrants who traveled to foreign lands and rooted themselves on new soil. Our food is centered around a communal dining experience. Inspired by Korean flavors and ingredients, we offer our approach to many traditional classics and modern Korean dishes paired alongside new and exciting takes created by Chef Andrew Lim to represent the second generation of Korean Americans and the food we love to enjoy and share. We are proud to be 2021, 2022, and 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand Recipients.
We have some initial questions for interested candidates:

• Share your favorite dining experience you've had at a restaurant and what exactly made it so special?
• Who is someone you've worked with that you admire and 3 characteristics about that person?
• What is your favorite dish in full detail? What drink would you pair with it and why?

Your responsibilities:

• Leading all FOH team and operations 
• Creating and inspiring best-in-class service and overall customer experiences
• Managing the FOH team, including hiring, firing, and following all employee policies as laid out in our Employee Handbook
• Working in collaboration with the Director of Operations, Management, Hospitality Development Manager, and FOH team to continuously provide feedback, further develop, and grow with the team
• Managing all operating systems: Including but limited to; OpenTable, Toast POS, Slack, TripleSeat, and BentoBox - training on systems will be included in your orientation
• Passion for learning about food and ingredients, it will be imperative to learn about Korean fare, ingredients, and culture
• Thrive in our positive, teamwork-driven work environment and working hands-on with the team 
• Managing the labor costs to meet goals determined by Directors and maintain a quality level of service for patrons
• Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations. Successfully passing health inspections by the Chicago Health Department & compliance with the Liquor Control Commission
• Perform monthly food and beverage inventory and report inventory levels to the Directors every month at month-end
• Properly handling all cash in the restaurant and safely storing all cash on hand in the safe
• Process payroll on time to ensure all wages are paid on time
• Communicating all major issues with Directors promptly
• Being proficient and knowledgeable about the ingredients of the food menu and beverage menu
• Collaborating with chefs and kitchen staff to develop menus, maintain food quality standards, and streamline kitchen operations
• Setting and monitoring financial targets, including budgeting, cost control, and revenue generation.
• Handling customer inquiries, complaints, and feedback to maintain high levels of satisfaction.
• Developing and implementing strategies to enhance the restaurant's profitability and reputation.
• Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers and vendors
• Overseeing inventory levels and procurement of supplies to meet operational needs.
• Working alongside the directors on implementing marketing and promotional activities to attract and retain customers.
• Analyzing performance metrics and preparing reports for senior management.
• Remaining adaptable and proactive in addressing challenges and opportunities in the dynamic restaurant industry.

Role and skill requirements:

• Ability to lead and manage a team while adding to the success of the restaurant
• Previous restaurant management experience, 3 + years, and no less than 20 employees
• Passion for food, continuously learning and exceeding throughout your career
• Customer-service obsessed - this is why we are in hospitality! 
• Certifications Requirements: Manager Sanitation Certificate (provided by the Company), Food Allergen Certificate, BASSET Certificate, and Sexual Harassment Training Certificate, (Sexual Harassment Training is provided during your orientation)
• Wine Service
• Scheduling
• POS systems
• Food safety knowledge
• Strong organizational and reporting skills and attention to detail are a MUST
• Conflict resolution
• Strong propensity to learn & grow
• Can lift up to 50lbs 
• Team development
• Strong communication and people skills
• Service procedures
• Inventory management
• Problem-solving
• Positive attitude
• Reservation management platforms
• Professionalism
• Ordering/purchasing
• Food and wine knowledge
• Financial management & budgeting
• Toast POS
• Strong business acumen 
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and guests

Compensation information:

• Base compensation is competitive 
• Quarterly bonus potential
• Paychecks are distributed weekly every Thursday
• Direct deposit through ADP

Benefits we offer:

• Health insurance coverage 100%
• Dental and vision insurance offered
• 401k offered after 3 months
• 10 paid vacation days in the first year
• Closed major holidays 
• Daily staff meals
• Employee discounts for dining and takeout at all partnered restaurants
• Development and Growth: Our team is constantly offering in-house education such as beverage tastings, chefs from across the nation coming in to offer you tastings and education on the cuisine they are passionate about

Restaurant information:

• Address: 401 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654 
• We are easily accessible by the CTA Blue Line or the 56 Milwaukee bus route
• Open for 7 dinner services
• Independently owned and operated