£45,000 - £50,000 + up to 7% profit bonus + Loyalty Pot + Ownership Pathway + share of card tips People-First Leadership | Food-Led Pub
We’re looking for an exceptional people first General Manager to lead one of our food-led country pubs — someone who believes that great hospitality starts with great people, well-cooked food, and beautifully kept cask ale.
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 role for a calm, confident leader who enjoys running a busy pub without sacrificing standards. You’ll take pride in thoughtful service, attention to detail, and creating an environment where guests feel genuinely looked after and teams feel supported, developed, and proud of what they do.
You’ll work closely with your Head Chef to deliver a seasonal, well-executed food offer, alongside a cask ale range that’s treated with the care and respect it deserves. Events, menus, and supplier relationships are shaped collaboratively — with strong head office support to help you deliver them properly, not just launch them quickly.
About you
* Leads from the floor with warmth, clarity, and consistency
* Enjoys developing people and building knowledgeable, engaged teams
* Understands the importance of food & drinks quality, and pacing
* Takes ownership of standards while valuing structure and support
* Cares as much about culture as you do about commercial performance
* You build great pubs that people want to return to
What the role involves
* Leading and developing a strong front‑of‑house team
* Working in close partnership with the Head Chef
* Delivering consistently high standards across food, drink and service
* Creating memorable guest experiences and well‑run events
* Developing your team through training, coaching, and clear leadership
* Running the business with commercial confidence, while maintaining full compliance and best practice
What’s in it for you
* A supportive, hands‑on head office team that helps you succeed
* Clear structure, realistic expectations, and room to do things properly
* Company incentives and perks
* 50% off food and 20% off drinks across all venues
* 28 days holiday
* Training and communication via AllGravy
* WSET opportunities
* Genuine progression within a small, growing group (currently three sites)
What we’re looking for
* Proven experience running a busy, quality‑focused pub
* A passion for food and well‑kept beer (especially cask)
* Strong people leadership and recruitment skills
* Confidence in financial management and commercial decision‑making
* High standards and a genuine eye for detail
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
About Us
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 AllGravy, MarketMan, Harri, S4Labour, Lightspeed, Trail, FoodAlert and SevenRooms — 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.
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