Assistant Manager - Food & Cask Led Pub

Assistant Manager

£13.50–£14.50 per hour (equivalent to £31,000–£33,200 per year) + bonus + share of card tips (approx £3000 - £5000 per year)

Passion and love for hospitality is what we’re looking for in our next Assistant Manager.

Tucked away by the canal at Bulbourne, just outside Tring, the Grand Junction Arms is a destination for those who love proper pubs. Whether you’re arriving from the Chiltern Hills, cycling along the towpath, or making the short trip from London by train, you’ll always find a warm welcome.

With vast gardens, outdoor bars and plenty of space to enjoy long summer days by the water, the Grand Junction is made for big gatherings and lazy afternoons. Inside, you’ll discover a buzzing pub atmosphere, with a great range of craft beers, cask ales, premium spirits and a carefully chosen wine list.

Our kitchen serves fresh, seasonal menus built around traditional pub favourites, elevated with local produce and contemporary touches. Every dish is cooked to order, with daily specials and sharers designed for lively tables.

As one of Hertfordshire’s best-kept secrets, the Grand Junction Arms combines the character of a classic canalside inn with the energy of a modern, food-led pub. Whether you’re here for a weekend feast, a pint in the garden or one of our summer events, it’s a place to eat, drink and make memories.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a flagship pub and grow with a small but ambitious independent group.

• Pay: £13.50–£14.50/hr (equivalent to £31,000–£33,200/year)
• Bonus:
  Performance-related bonus
• Tips:
  Share of card tips (approx £3000 - £5000 per year)
• Perks: 50% off food & 20% off drinks across the group, 28 days holiday, sharers, socials, staff discount
• Training:
  Weekly supplier sessions, WSET opportunities, brewery visits, leadership development
• Career path:
  Clear progression into Deputy Manager or GM roles as we grow
• Autonomy:
  The freedom to contribute ideas and influence the way the pub runs

• Welcoming guests and ensuring outstanding service
• Training, motivating and onboarding team members
• Supporting the GM in running the venue, including stock, rotas and systems
• Creating a brilliant atmosphere for guests
• Delivering events and managing busy shifts
• Working closely with the Head Chef to champion a fresh food offer
• Helping drive sales, manage costs and influence the P&L

• Proven experience as an AM or Supervisor in a quality pub or restaurant
• A people person who loves leading a team
• High standards, eye for detail and passion for food, beer and hospitality
• Strong communication skills and confidence in taking responsibility in the GM’s absence
• Commercial awareness and an interest in how great service translates into profit
• Social media awareness to help showcase the pub and events

This is your chance to build your career with a growing independent group.

Apply today and make your mark.

Craft Locals is a growing group of people-focused pubs, dedicated to delivering exceptional food, well-kept cask ale, and memorable guest experiences. We believe great pubs start with great teams, and we invest in our people — giving them the support, training, and tools they need to shine. We’ve built systems that make running a pub straightforward and compliant, so our teams can focus on what really matters: welcoming guests and delivering an outstanding experience.

From reservations to stock, scheduling to events, we use a suite of best-in-class tools — including All Gravy, Market Man, Harri, S4

Labour, Lightspeed, Trail, Food Alert and Seven Rooms — to simplify operations and keep everything running smoothly. At Craft Locals, we’re proud to combine a love of people, food, and drink with smart systems and strong support — creating pubs that teams enjoy working in and guests love visiting.