How to hire a general manager/director

How to hire a general manager/director, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general manager/director hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a general manager/director job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general manager/director
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a general manager/director, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect general manager/director also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of general managers/director and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of General Manager/Director	Description	Hourly rate
   General Manager/Director	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$40-91
   Director/Manager	A director/manager is responsible for developing strategic techniques to boost the operational efficiency of an organization in delivering high-quality services and satisfaction for the customers and business clients. Directors/managers identify business opportunities that would support the company's long-term goals and objectives, generating more revenues and closing contract deals for the business... Show more	$42-89
   Division Manager	Division managers supervise a section of the company and are responsible for that division's success. General duties include organizing, planning, allocating resources, and managing the daily operations of the sector... Show more	$24-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Financial Performance
   • Payroll
   • Beverage Operations
   • Human Resources
   • R
   • Business Plan
   • Oversight
   • General Management
   • Business Development
   • Logistics
   • Membership Sales
   • POS
   • Labor Costs

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage hotel website, online rates and RFP's.
   • Manage and all OEM port actions and recalls ensuring compliance.
   • Create a plan and schedule to achieve ISO 9000 2000 certification.
   • Developed/Monitore key performance metrics (KPI's) and manage DC's performance to these KPI's.
   • Manage the marketing automation transition from Marketo to Pardot.
   • Prepare invoices, manage all administrative office paperwork and payroll.

   More general manager/director duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the general manager/director job description is a good way to get more applicants. A general manager/director salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a general manager/director in Montana may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level general manager/director. Additionally, a general manager/director with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average general manager/director salary

   $127,274yearly

   $61.19 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level general manager/director salary

   $84,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average general manager/director salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$155,158	$75
   2	New Jersey	$154,122	$74
   3	Washington	$152,419	$73
   4	California	$149,875	$72
   5	New York	$146,228	$70
   6	Colorado	$141,299	$68
   7	Wisconsin	$129,402	$62
   8	Texas	$124,636	$60
   9	New Mexico	$121,208	$58
   10	Indiana	$118,654	$57
   11	Illinois	$116,129	$56
   12	Michigan	$112,417	$54
   13	Florida	$104,796	$50
   14	Pennsylvania	$104,044	$50
   15	Georgia	$103,830	$50
   16	Louisiana	$103,440	$50
   17	Oregon	$101,635	$49
   18	South Carolina	$93,194	$45

   Average general manager/director salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NVIDIA	$193,468	$93.01	7
   2	eBay	$176,602	$84.90	26
   3	DoorDash	$165,248	$79.45	40
   4	Microsoft	$148,553	$71.42	24
   5	UL	$142,822	$68.66	20
   6	PepsiCo	$138,781	$66.72	3
   7	Lockheed Martin	$137,485	$66.10	19
   8	Sears Holdings	$135,814	$65.30	1
   9	GPAC	$125,798	$60.48
   10	Petra Industries, Inc.	$125,360	$60.27
   11	GO Riteway	$122,856	$59.07
   12	Jeppesen	$122,650	$58.97	4
   13	Faurecia Interior Systems Inc	$112,601	$54.14
   14	Goodwin Recruiting	$103,891	$49.95
   15	CBRE Group	$101,668	$48.88	203
   16	CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC	$101,488	$48.79
   17	Nelson Tree Service	$100,600	$48.37
   18	StoneMor	$96,715	$46.50
   19	Stretch Zone	$92,751	$44.59	124
   20	Express Employment Indy South	$70,753	$34.02	2

4. Writing a general manager/director job description

   A job description for a general manager/director role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a general manager/director job description:

   General manager/director job description example

   Responsibilities
   
   Can you lead and influence a large multi-level team with the insight, innovation and impact to deliver a winning sales plan? Are you someone who is passionate about growing a business and developing world class talent?
   
   If YES, read on about PepsiCo and an opportunity we have within our PepsiCo Beverages North America business.
   
   PepsiCo is made up of nearly 265,000 Associates operating across more than 200 countries with businesses generating nearly 65 Billion dollars in revenue annually. PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 22 different product lines that generate more than $1 billion each in retail sales. Largest businesses include Pepsi Beverages, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo prides it's self in having the global resources of a Fortune 50 Company with the flexibility and culture to make decisions and a difference locally. Great Globally, Even Better Locally.
   
   PepsiCo's diversified portfolios of iconic beverages are enjoyed all over the world. Our beverage business is comprised of 11 billion-dollar brands that span carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas, coffees, sports drinks, bottled waters and juices. We steward some of the world's most iconic brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lipton, Pure Leaf, Starbucks, Aquafina, Crush, Rockstar and Amp Energy drinks; as well as driving exciting new brands like Kick Start, LifeWTR, Naked Juice, KeVita and IZZE.
   
   The Sr. Market Director GM - Designate role is designed as an 8-12 month leadership training program. Sr. Market Director GM Designates will receive a customized on-boarding plan to assimilate and develop the necessary knowledge and skillset in preparation for a future PepsiCo Sales Leader role.
   
   Upon completion of the training program in a specified market, you will be required to relocate within regional area. You will be promoted to Sr. Market Director GM and take ownership of your own territory. You will be responsible for leading a team of Sales, Warehouse, Delivery and Merchandising employees both Frontline and Salaried. You will drive superior marketplace execution, customer service, share growth, and profit performance for your market. You will collaborate with customer teams on priorities, execution, and timing of initiatives.
   
   What critical experiences will you gain as a Sr. Market Director GM - Designate? You will learn the business from the ground up. You will experience how to influence across sales and operations, lead and develop a large team and learn how to grow the business.
   
   A Sr. Market Director GM contributes to the success of our PepsiCo Beverages North America business by leading the sales and distribution strategy for a market territory. This broad leadership role encompasses sales, customer service, marketing equipment and warehousing operations.
   
   Are you hungry to be a part of the World's largest portfolio of billion dollar food and beverage brands? Then, now is the time to explore the Possibilities of PepsiCo.
   
   Key Responsibilities:
   
   * Maximize volume and revenue in a defined geography in a direct store delivery go-to-market environment
   * Manage the Market P&L
   * Work with cross functional teams to ensure execution of an annual operating plan
   * Cultivate strong relationships with key customers in the market and develop business relationships with key stakeholders in the community
   * Activate national and local marketplace initiatives to maximize brand performance
   * Lead, coach, develop, and motivate an amazing team of sales professionals in selling, delivering and merchandising iconic brands
   * Partner with region and headquarter resources to support change plans
   * Covid-19 vaccination may be a condition of employment dependent on role and location. For specific information, please discuss role requirements with the recruiter
   
   Qualifications
   
   * Demonstrated leadership of large multi-level teams
   * Compelling, powerful communication w/ability to persuade
   * Upwardly mobile historical career path
   * Both a strategic outlook and focus on Executional Excellence
   * Business & Financial Acumen (leverage analytics & insights to create strategy)
   * Transferable skill set to sell/understands customers
   * Motivator/coach who is able to leverage performance mgmt. and development
   * Awareness of levers to drive results with team and in market
   
   Qualifications / Requirements:
   
   * Bachelor's Degree required
   * 8-12 years General Management experience to include hands on day-to-day sales operational experience
   * A minimum of 8 years industry experience in Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Retail, Grocery, and/or Military
   * Proven leadership capability with a strong track record of leading and influencing a front line sales organization
   * Experience with expense management and/or managing a P&L
   * Direct Store Delivery experience preferred
   * Commitment and ability to succeed within a fast paced organization
   * Must be willing and able to lift up to 40 lbs. periodically
   * Must be authorized to work in the United States
   
   EEO Statement
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
   
   PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity
   
   If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
   
   Please view our Pay Transparency Statement

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find general managers/director for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your general manager/director job on Zippia to find and recruit general manager/director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit general managers/director, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general manager/director

   Once you've decided on a perfect general manager/director candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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