Restaurant Assistant Manager / Assistant General Manager

Location: Palm Desert, CA
Compensation: $65,000–$70,000 annually + bonus
Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site

About the Opportunity

A well-established restaurant organization is seeking an experienced Restaurant Assistant Manager / Assistant General Manager to join its leadership team in the Palm Desert area.

This opportunity is well suited for a hands-on restaurant leader with experience across both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. The successful candidate will help lead daily restaurant operations, develop team members, maintain strong guest-service standards, and ensure consistent operational execution.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a high-energy restaurant environment and brings a positive, team-oriented approach to leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager with day-to-day restaurant operations
• Lead restaurant opening and closing procedures
• Supervise and develop hourly team members
• Maintain high standards of guest service and hospitality
• Support both front-of-house and kitchen/back-of-house operations
• Monitor restaurant cleanliness, food safety, and workplace safety standards
• Assist with scheduling, staffing, and shift management
• Handle cash-management and restaurant closing procedures
• Coach employees and provide ongoing performance feedback
• Maintain accountability and professional workplace standards
• Help manage labor and operating performance during assigned shifts
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and promptly
• Ensure compliance with restaurant policies and applicable regulations
• Assist with onboarding and training new team members
• Partner with restaurant leadership to improve team performance and operational consistency

The client's actual posting specifically requires management experience that includes kitchen/BOH exposure, so I would keep that prominently in our version.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of restaurant management experience required
• Experience within a full-service or fast-casual restaurant environment
• Previous kitchen/back-of-house experience required
• Experience leading restaurant shifts and hourly employees
• Comfortable with opening/closing responsibilities and cash handling
• Strong team leadership and employee-development skills
• Knowledge of restaurant food-safety and workplace-safety practices
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced restaurant environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Food Handler certification or ability to obtain certification during training
• Responsible Beverage Service certification or ability to obtain it during training
• Ability to meet the physical requirements associated with restaurant management
• Must meet applicable age and work-authorization requirements

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.