Duty Manager / Supervisor – Food-Led Country Pub (Newbury)
Five Bells is a beautiful country pub near Newbury with a loyal local following, our own on-site microbrewery, and rooms for guests to stay. Our kitchen is led by chef-owner Duncan, whose career has taken him from five-star ski chalets in Val d'Isère to Marco Pierre White's Yew Tree Inn and private dining for royalty, and today that pedigree goes into good, honest pub food made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.
We're looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic Duty Manager to help run the pub shift to shift. You'll be the main point of contact for staff and guests when the Front of House Manager isn't on, keeping service smooth from front of house to the kitchen pass and making sure every guest gets the warm welcome our regulars come back for.
What You'll Be Doing
- Running the day-to-day operation during your shifts and keeping service smooth from open to close
- Leading and motivating the team on the floor, setting the standard across the restaurant and bar
- Being the main point of contact for staff and guests, and acting up for the management team when they're off
- Handling guest questions and the occasional complaint with warmth and professionalism
- Managing stock levels and placing orders as needed
- Looking after the cellar and keeping our own microbrewery ales in great condition
- Supporting rooms and guest stays alongside the wider team
- Keeping the pub clean, organised, and to standard at all times
- Helping team members develop and get the best out of every shift
What We're Looking For
- Experience in a supervisory or leadership role in hospitality, ideally in a pub or food-led venue
- Strong team leadership, with the ability to inspire and support colleagues
- Cellar management experience, with cask ale knowledge an advantage
- Confident across both bar and restaurant service
- Calm under pressure with a proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving
- Excellent communication skills
- A genuine passion for good food, drink, and outstanding guest service
- A full driving licence and own transport, as we're in a village location
What You'll Get
- Hourly rate of up to £15p/h
- Tronc circa £4k per year dependent on hours worked
- Retention bonus after initial period of employment
- Private medical insurance
- Staff food and employee discounts
- Friends and family discount
- 28 days holiday, rising with length of service
- Your birthday off
- Employee assistance programme
- Funded training to continue your own development
- Company pension and free on-site parking
- Referral programme
- The chance to work alongside a passionate chef-owner and be part of a supportive, ambitious team
- Real opportunities to grow and develop as the business grows
Please note this position is not live-in.
To be right for this role you'll need at least 2 years' experience in a hospitality leadership or supervisory role, with fluent English and the right to work in the UK.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Application question(s):
- Do you have access to a vehicle and drive?
Experience:
- Leadership: 2 years (required)
- Hospitality: 2 years (required)
Language:
- Fluent English (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
