Job Details

General Manager

Fresh Baguette is a fast-growing, artisanal bakery known for its high-quality standards and modern atmosphere. The company was founded in Bethesda, MD in 2013, to bring fresh, made-from-scratch organic breads, pastries, sweets, and croissant items inspired by bakeriesin France to the DMV area. We have expanded to nine retail locations, two production bakeries, and a thriving wholesale business. We serve coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores with fresh products every day, 365 days a year.

About the Role We are seeking a dynamic and experienced General Manager to oversee a bakery café location and lead teams to excellence. This full-time, salaried role is hands-on and people-focused, requiring a strong leader who can inspire teams, deliver outstanding customer experiences, and drive operational and financial success.

What We Offer

• A leadership role in a growing, values-driven company.
• Competitive compensation package: $80,000-$100,000 including bonus = Base salary $70,000–$80,000 per year and $10,000-$20,000 per year in additional bonus based on performance
• Paid Time Off to rest and recharge.
• Health & Dental Insurance - eligible after 90 days.
• 401(k) with Company Match to invest in your future.
• Monthly Wellness Reimbursement to support your well-being.
• 40% Employee Discount on all Fresh Baguette products.
• Free Lunch during shifts.
• Anniversary Gift Card to celebrate your milestones.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• A collaborative, supportive team culture where your impact is visible every day.

Key Responsibilities

Ownership & Accountability

• Take full responsibility for the bakery's overall performance, including sales, profitability, customer satisfaction, and team culture.
• Proactively identify and resolve challenges, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment that reflects Fresh Baguette's standards of excellence.

People Leadership & Development

• Recruit, onboard, and retain top talent across roles including customer service associates, bakers, shift supervisors, and assistant managers.
• Actively coach, mentor, and develop team members to grow in their roles and take on greater responsibilities.
• Build strong team bonds by fostering respect, collaboration, and care among all employees.

Business Mindset & Operational Excellence

• Drive sales growth through local marketing initiatives, community engagement, and business development opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), making data-driven decisions to drive growth.
• Optimize labor, inventory, and production planning to minimize waste and maximize output.
• Uphold Fresh Baguette's standards for product quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Partner with marketing to execute local initiatives that drive traffic, sales, and community engagement.

Adaptability & Autonomy

• Lead daily bakery operations on the floor, ensuring smooth coordination between front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Adjust quickly to new circumstances, from customer needs to operational challenges.
• Take initiative and lead independently while maintaining strong communication with central leadership.
• Encourage agility and problem-solving within the team.

Service Orientation & Charismatic Presence

• Lead by example on the bakery floor—welcoming customers with genuine warmth, delivering exceptional service, and inspiring enthusiasm through a charismatic presence.
• Set the tone for a service culture where every team member delights guests and builds loyalty.
• Ensure that customer interactions reflect the values of hospitality, friendliness, and care.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of management experience in hospitality, food service, or retail.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.
• Strong financial acumen with experience tracking and improving KPIs (sales, labor, food cost, waste, etc.).
• Knowledge of food safety standards and a commitment to maintaining compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; warm, approachable, and able to inspire both staff and customers.
• Hands-on leadership style—comfortable jumping in to bake, prepare sandwiches, or serve guests when needed.
• High adaptability, resilience, and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Physical Requirements: This role requires standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50lbs, and performing routine bending, reaching, and movement in a retail environment.
• Reliable vehicle and valid driver's license to allow regular travel between locations
• Fluent in English

Restaurant type:

• Bakery
• Café
• Coffee shop

Available Monday to Friday & Weekends

Work Location: Retail locations across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia