The Business Sherpa Group is searching for a General Manager for a premium, high-profile corporate food program serving a confidential company at its headquarters in Kanata.
In this hands-on operational leadership role you will be the single accountable leader responsible for the day-to-day performance of a multi-faceted food program serving a large, discerning employee population. This is not a back-office management position – you will be present, visible, and actively leading from the front every day. You will oversee kitchen operations, front-of-house service, staffing, programming, and vendor coordination while acting as the primary liaison with an on-site client stakeholder.
This program is designed to be more than a workplace cafeteria. It is a curated, hospitality-driven food experience that prioritizes quality, variety, and engagement. As GM you will play a central role in shaping that experience – ensuring the operation runs seamlessly from morning prep to closing, while maintaining a consistently high standard across food, service, and team performance.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead the end-to-end daily operation of a high-volume corporate food program
· Maintain an active floor presence, especially during peak service periods
· Ensure all service periods are executed smoothly, from opening prep through final close
· Set the daily rhythm of operations through briefings, oversight, and real-time direction
· Oversee and support both kitchen and front-of-house teams as a unified operation
· Align service timing, communication, and execution across all functional areas
· Step in quickly to resolve issues before they impact the employee experience
· Hire, onboard, and develop team members; from frontline staff to supervisors
· Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and leadership support
· Create a culture of accountability, professionalism, and engagement
· Uphold high standards for food quality, presentation, and consistency
· Ensure menus are executed as planned, with appropriate variety and dietary coverage
· Maintain strong working knowledge of offerings to support team and guest questions
· Oversee coffee and beverage operations, including equipment readiness and stock levels
· Ensure staff are informed and confident in describing products and offerings
· Enforce food safety, allergen awareness, and workplace safety requirements at all times
· Maintain compliance with all certifications, inspections, and regulatory expectations
· Respond to and document any incidents, ensuring timely escalation when required
· Support the planning and execution of internal events, activations, and catering
· Help deliver programming that enhances employee engagement with the food program
· Monitor costs and spending decisions within established approval frameworks
· Review invoices and identify irregularities or unexpected variances
· Act as the primary point of contact for the on-site client stakeholder
· Provide regular operational updates and raise issues proactively
· Contribute to ongoing program evaluation through structured reviews and reporting
Key Qualifications
· 7+ years of leadership experience in food service, hospitality, or corporate dining environments
· Proven ability to manage both front-of-house and back-of-house operations
· Strong leadership presence; you lead from the floor, not from behind a desk
· Experience managing high-volume, quality-driven service environments
· Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to act quickly and decisively
· Strong communication skills; comfortable managing both teams and client stakeholders
· Experience with food safety standards, certifications, and compliance requirements
· Financial awareness; able to manage costs and identify anomalies
· High attention to detail and a commitment to operational excellence
· A mindset focused on accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement
Why This Role
· Lead a flagship, high-visibility food program with strong executive engagement
· Take full ownership of a complex, well-resourced operation
· Work in a dynamic environment where hospitality, quality, and experience matter
· Play a key role in shaping a program that employees engage with daily
· Salary of $70,000 to $80,000, along with a competitive benefits package
Additional Details
· Core work hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional (typically 1-3x per year) catering events outside of business hours.
· This is a net new position.
Pay: $70,000.00-$80,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
