£50,000 per annum plus fantastic benefits
Creamery General Manager
£50,000 per annum plus fantastic benefits
5 days out of 7,predominantly daytime hours with some evenings to support evening events.
Due to the location of the Estate a driving license is recommended for this role
Advert closes:22 June 2026
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Lead an F&B destination where estate-inspired food,beautiful service and the golden age of rail travel come together.
Our Creamery General Manager
The Creamery at Castle Cary Station is one of The Newt’s most distinctive food and drink destinations:a beautifully restored 1912 milk factory bringing together a working dairy,Station Café,retail space,seasonal coffee concepts and the elegant Maid of Somerset Pullman carriage. Set beside the railway platform,it celebrates the golden age of British rail travel while serving modern Somerset hospitality to locals,travellers and destination guests alike.
This is an F&B-led General Manager role,with huge opportunity to work with the wider estate to shape,grow and elevate the food and drink offer across the property. You will ensure The Creamery’s food story feels consistent with the wider estate,celebrating produce from our gardens and beyond.,
The Creamery serves a vibrant mix of takeaway drinks,salads and pastries alongside dine-in breakfast and lunch,all inspired by the estate. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea aboard the Maid of Somerset,while future plans include the introduction of a coffee bar to drive grab-and-go trade and increase footfall from the station. As Creamery General Manager,you will be fully accountable for the overall operation,performance and guest experience across this multi-faceted property. This is a highly hands-on role for an entrepreneurial hospitality operator who lives and breathes food,drink,service and the rhythm of the floor. You will take ownership of the day-to-day management of the building,ensuring The Creamery is beautifully presented,operationally efficient,safe and consistently aligned with The Newt’s brand standards. Alongside leading the F&B operation,you will manage key stakeholder relationships, including GWR,and work closely with the retail and production teams within the building to create a seamless,joined-up guest experience. From service standards and team energy to property presentation,operational detail and commercial performance,you will set the pace for a destination that feels polished and purposeful.
Key Responsibilities
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Take full accountability for The Creamery’s overall F&B operation,commercial performance and guest experience.
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Lead and grow the Station Café,Maid of Somerset afternoon tea,takeaway offer,seasonal coffee concepts and future coffee bar.
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Drive breakfast,lunch,grab-and-go and afternoon tea sales through exceptional service,product quality and operational focus.
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Work with the wider estate to shape,grow and elevate The Creamery’s food and drink offer.
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Recruit,inspire and develop all front of house and back of house teams.
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Champion a warm,polished and energetic style of service across every guest touchpoint.
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Oversee day-to-day property management,including engineering,cleaning,gardens,opening and closing procedures,platform upkeep and signage.
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Manage key stakeholder relationships,including GWR,while working closely with retail and production teams to uphold brand standards and deliver a joined-up guest experience.
What we can offer
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A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
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Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover,providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
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Support from our Employee Assistance Programme,including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
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Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
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Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
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Access to our Cycle to Work scheme,supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
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Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team,often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
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Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
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Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens,including the Eden Project,Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
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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.
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Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff,accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
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A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities,including Fun Squad events.
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Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.
What we're looking for
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Proven senior management experience in a fast-paced,high-quality food and beverage environment.
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A true hands-on operator who leads from the floor and takes pride in service,product and presentation.
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Strong understanding of café,restaurant,grab-and-go,coffee and premium hospitality operations.
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Entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to grow breakfast,lunch,takeaway,coffee and afternoon tea trade.
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Strong commercial and financial acumen,with confidence managing sales,payroll and operational costs.
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Excellent people leadership skills,with a passion for recruitment,training,development and team engagement.
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Strong health,safety and hygiene compliance knowledge.
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Confident communicator with strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
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Highly organised,adaptable and calm within a dynamic,evolving operation.
Where you'll be working
The Creamery at Castle Cary Station is a unique working dairy,Station Café,retail space and hospitality destination celebrating the golden age of British rail travel. Set within the restored 1912 milk factory alongside the railway platform,The Creamery combines heritage,craftsmanship and modern Somerset hospitality in a truly distinctive setting.
Open to both locals and travellers alike,the Station Café serves breakfast,brunch,lunch and Sunday roasts in a relaxed yet elevated environment inspired by classic railway dining. Menus celebrate hearty British cooking using ingredients grown,farmed and produced across The Newt estate,including produce from the gardens,bakery,butchery and creamery.
At the heart of the property is the working dairy,producing artisan cheeses and buffalo milk products using milk from The Newt’s own herd. Alongside the café and retail offering,guests can also experience afternoon tea aboard the Maid of Somerset — a beautifully restored 1921 British Pullman carriage situated within The Creamery gardens,offering a first-class hospitality experience inspired by the elegance of historic rail travel.
The Creamery plays an important role as a gateway to Somerset,welcoming visitors arriving via Castle Cary station while serving as a destination in its own right for exceptional hospitality,seasonal events and community experiences.
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.
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