Assistant General Manager - The Angel Inn, Castle Cary

Assistant General Manager

£35,000 per annum plus tronc and fantastic benefits

40 hours per week across 5 out of 7 days. Shifts are scheduled within the business opening hours of 11am–11pm Monday–Saturday and 11am–5pm Sunday, with regular weekend and bank holiday working.

Advert closes: Monday 5th October 2026 at 5pm

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Help shape a brilliant new local pub from day one – leading from the front, creating memorable experiences and bringing warm, thoughtful hospitality to the heart of Castle Cary.

Our Assistant General Manager

As Assistant General Manager at The Angel Inn, you’ll be at the heart of an exciting new opening, supporting the General Manager in bringing this characterful pub with rooms to life. You’ll lead and inspire our front-of-house team, take ownership of the operation in the General Manager’s absence and make sure every guest receives a warm, relaxed and memorable welcome. From brilliant food and drink service to exceptional beer quality, smooth guest stays and strong commercial performance, this is a hands-on leadership role for someone who loves great hospitality and knows how to get the best from a team. As part of the opening team, you’ll also help establish procedures, train colleagues and lead soft testing ahead of opening.

Key Responsibilities

• Deputise for the General Manager, taking ownership of daily operations and management decisions when required.
• Lead, motivate and develop the front-of-house team, setting clear expectations and providing regular coaching and feedback.
• Support recruitment, induction, probation reviews, performance management and rota planning.
• Lead from the front during food and beverage service, maintaining excellent standards across coffee, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.
• Oversee bookings, guest arrivals and departures, working closely with kitchen and housekeeping to create a seamless experience.
• Take ownership of cellar standards, beer quality, stock management, ordering, deliveries and stocktakes.
• Monitor key commercial drivers including sales, labour costs, beverage margins, wastage and productivity.
• Maintain strong operational standards across licensing, food safety, allergens, health and safety, cash handling, security and opening and closing procedures.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we're looking for

• Previous experience as an Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager or General Manager within a pub or similar drinks-led hospitality environment.
• A confident, hands-on leader who enjoys developing people, setting clear expectations and creating a positive team culture.
• Strong food and beverage service skills, including bartending, with a genuine passion for brilliant hospitality.
• Practical pub cellar experience and excellent knowledge of beer quality, cask and keg handling, line cleaning and cellar standards.
• Commercial awareness, with experience supporting sales, labour control, ordering, stocktakes and waste reduction.
• A personable and engaging approach, with the confidence to build relationships with regulars, first-time visitors and the local community.
• Good working knowledge of responsible alcohol service, food safety, allergens and health and safety procedures.

Where you'll be working

The Angel is a new pub with rooms in the heart of Castle Cary, created by The Newt in Somerset and shaped by the same respect for place, seasonality and thoughtful hospitality that runs through the estate. Rooted in the town and its community, The Angel will serve food and carefully chosen drinks, with ingredients drawn from The Newt in Somerset estate and trusted producers wherever possible. Alongside the pub, three individually designed guest suites provide accommodation in Castle Cary. The team works across food and beverage service and guest accommodation, collaborating closely with kitchen and housekeeping colleagues to maintain consistent standards throughout the guest experience.

Who are we- The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences